Author: Alexey Vlasov, director of Center for Political Studies "North-South", Moscow-Sukhumi-Moscow
In late April, a school of Journalism organized by the Russian Center for Political Science "North-South" was held in Sukhumi.
The center was established in early 2012 by a group of employees of the history department of Moscow State University for the development of professional and youth communication with the countries of the South Caucasus. This, in particular, is about the formation of a positive image of Russia in the South Caucasus by creating a communications network with young professionals in various fields - journalism, history, political science, sociology.
Not only in Russia and Abkhazia, but also in other countries our colleagues sometimes lack the ability to come down to earth from the clouds and understand that they live among people who are primarily interested not only in professional skills, but also in basic human communication. Cooperation is planned to be developed, including through humanitarian contacts, including sending tutorials to a Russian-speaking sector of the South Caucasian republics. After the establishment of communication with young journalists, we can see a thread through the whole range of problems that exist in the humanitarian sphere. Probably, in the relations between Russia and Abkhazia we should focus (besides economy, security, politics) on cooperation in the civilian sector. And it's not so much about the NGOs but about university structures, professional societies and youth organizations.
It is clear that the attitude to Russia in Abkhazia is very good, although the Russian media and humanitarian presence could be much larger. This is the channel of communication, which forms an attractive image of Russia not only in Abkhazia but also at any point of the post-Soviet space. Professors can come from MSU, read courses in the Abkhazian university, there could be also the opening of Russian humanitarian center, which along with the House of Russian books would become the center of gravity of the humanitarian environment. If there is a field for communication, once there are answers to questions.
Abkhazia is poorly represented in Russia's space med, but Moscow would like to see the field of information about what is happening, and what are the causes of certain events, extended. This can be done only on the basis of permanent contacts with the media and with those who coordinate the work of the Abkhazian media.
Participants of the school of Journalism in Sukhumi tried to give absolutely sober assessment, of course, given the interests of Russia, but without offending anyone. However, the "School" in Abkhazia caused controversial reaction by Tbilisi, although the publications of the Georgian diaspora in Russia, not blinkered by propaganda cliches, in general, gave a positive assessment to this mission.
Meanwhile, it is noted that the dynamics of discussions within Georgian political establishment of the themes of South Ossetia and Abkhazia was markedly intensified. Literally every day some initiatives are put forward. Paata Zakareishvili and deputies, however, mainly of "Georgian Dream" are actively putting forward different solutions; no new approaches were proposed by the United National Movement, but still, it's a definite plus. There are people who are willing to talk, so we must have a place for dialogue.
The subject of South Ossetia and Abkhazia is important to assess the current situation in Georgia, but the Prime Minister of Georgia Bidzina Ivanishvili has more problems related to internal, domestic economic problems in Georgia. Therefore, it seems that Ivanishvili will change his rhetoric, but so far he does not closely reflect on the future of relations with Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Unfortunately, there are no conceptual, fundamental approaches by either "Georgian Dream" or Bidzina Ivanishvili yet.
Now the "North-South" center is considering the expansion of the field of activity of its structure not only in the South Caucasus, but also, perhaps, in Central Asia. This is the organization of activities related to the development of professional skills of journalists, political scientists, historians, in the format of schools, invitation to the training of young talented professionals from the countries of the South Caucasus to the Russian news agencies and leading universities of the country.
Recently, the "North-South" center, along with the agency "RIA Novosti", is going to hold a school for young journalists in Yekaterinburg, where, among others, young boys from the South Caucasus will come.
