Council of Europe civil participation campaign „Change the Scenario - Play Your Role” continued in Telavi and Akhmeta municipalities. The campaign aims to reach citizens in municipalities, and promote participatory culture in local communities, highlighting the importance of joint efforts of civil society and public authorities to provide solutions, that benefit all groups of the society.
The event brought together citizens of Akhmeta and Telavi, among them young individuals, and other interested persons, who were engaged in the forum theatre and, learned about the means they can use to address different issues in their communities and change the situation around them.
“Positive change in the municipalities lies in the hands of citizens, and it is even better when active citizenship goes together with productive cooperation with local authorities” – said Stefan Sirbu, Deputy Head of Council of Europe Office in Georgia in his speech.
“Prosperity of the country goes hand in hand with the participation of citizens in decision-making especially in rural areas. Today you’re here to play your role, but better together” – mentioned Alexander Karner, Head of Office of Austrian Development Agency in Georgia and stressed how active citizenship and effective cooperation with local authorities can support rural development.
The event allowed participants to be engaged in the forum theatre. The actors performed a short scene on the community problem and encouraged audience’s interaction to explore different options for dealing with a problem. After the performance, the audience was involved in the discussion on local initiatives and tools for citizens’ participation, which helped them reflect on how individual actions can make positive changes in the municipalities and also to explore existing opportunities and mechanisms to be effectively involved in local decision-making.
Mariam Gurabanidze, participant from Telavi, who actively engaged in the forum theatre performance was thrilled with the event and forum theatre methodology, as it demonstrated real community problem and allowed citizens to observe community problem from different perspectives/roles.
Within the campaign, during 2023 visits have been planned in 15 pilot municipalities. Forum theatre was already held in Tbilisi, Oni, Ambrolauri, Gori, Borjomi, Akhmeta and Telavi. The campaign will continue in Marneuli, Bolnisi, Chokhatauri, Ozurgeti, Tetritskaro, Zestaphoni, Tskaltubo and Rustavi.
The events take place in the framework of the project “Strengthening Participatory Democracy and Human Rights at Local Level in Georgia”, implemented by the Directorate General of Democracy and Human Dignity, Division of Elections and Participatory Democracy and Congress of Local and Regional Authorities within the Council of Europe Action Plan for Georgia 2020-2023 with the financial contribution of the Austrian Development Cooperation.
