Georgia in Europe and the Wider World: The Inaugural Georgia-Oxford Forum
Introducing the inaugural edition of the annual Georgia-Oxford Forum organised by the Embassy of Georgia to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in collaboration with the Oxford University School of Global and Area Studies (OSGA) and Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia.
The annual Forum will serve as a dynamic platform, enhancing partnership initiatives between Georgia and the UK, and will call on expertise from across the academic disciplines, including but not limited to political science, international relations, history, literature, archaeology, cinematography, cultural studies, sociology, anthropology, economics and business.
The inaugural Forum’s special theme, reflecting recent developments and leading-edge research, will focus on “Georgia in Europe and the wider world”.
This event is open to the public. For registration please click here.
Co-organisers and partners:
Oxford School of Global and Area Studies, University of Oxford
Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia
Oxford Nizami Ganjavi Centre
Georgian Oxford Student Society
Conference schedule:
Pre-forum Coffee/tea available from 10.00 am
10.00 - 10.30 Signing ceremony and photographs
10.30 - 11.00 Welcome and Introduction
Sophie Katsarava MBE, Ambassador of Georgia to the UK - welcome remarks
Prof. Christopher Gerry, Head of Oxford School of Global and Area Studies - introduction
11.00 – 12:15 Panel I: Georgia as the UK’s Strategic Partner
2022 marks the 30th Anniversary of Georgia-UK Diplomatic Relations, the 9th year of Wardrop Strategic Dialogue, and the continuing journey for Georgia towards EU and NATO membership. The UK’s continued support towards the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, at a time of global uncertainty - marked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, issues around Black Sea Security, and protracted regional conflicts linked with other security and economic challenges – holds growing importance. Against this background, the opening panel will discuss strategic and regional security concerns and the key role that the UK and wider international community can play in contributing to the stability and security of the region.
Chair: Professor Paul Chaisty (OSGA)
Jonathan Djanogly, MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Georgia
Sophie Katsarava MBE, Ambassador of Georgia to the UK
Mark Clayton, HM Ambassador to Georgia – welcome remarks (remote)
George Khelashvili, MP, Parliament of Georgia
Victor Kipiani, Chairman of Geocase (remote)
12.15 - 13.15 LUNCH BREAK
13.15 – 13.30 The Oxford Georgian Student Society – Featuring a video highlighting cooperation
13.30 - 14.45 Panel II: Education, Information and the Georgia-Oxford Partnership
Investing in education is fundamental for building free and inclusive societies. In a modern globalised world education bridges gaps, opens opportunities, serves as a weapon against disinformation, facilitates evidence-based decision-making and promotes global citizenship. The Oxford School of Global and Area Studies, with its multidisciplinary, cross-regional approach serves as the meeting point at Oxford, bringing together Georgian expertise from across the University while facilitating and promoting work in the social sciences and humanities. This panel takes stock of these diverse contributions and asks how we can further leverage academic activity and research to contribute to the promotion of Georgian Studies and Georgia in the UK and beyond.
Chair: Professor Christopher Gerry, OSGA
Professor Dan Healey, OSGA
Megi Kartsivadze, DPhil, OSGA
Erekle Astakhishvili, Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia
Tamar Tsuleiskiri, Director of the Information Centre on NATO and EU in Georgia (remote)
Salla Nazarenko, Union of Journalists (Finland), PhD, University of Tampere (remote)
14.45 - 15.15 COFFEE/TEA BREAK
15.15 - 16.15 Panel III: Keynote lecture by Professor Neil McFarlane, DPIR
“The role of the EU and NATO in promoting Georgia’s integration with Europe”
Chair: Professor Roy Allison, OSGA
16.15 – 16.30 COMFORT BREAK
16:30 - 17:30 Panel IV: The Power of Soft Diplomacy
This panel highlights the opportunities of soft diplomacy by bringing to life – for an international audience - Georgia’s rich and ancient culture, unique language and alphabet, music and customs. Oxford plays a particular role here with its rich collection of historical documents and manuscripts at the Bodleian Library illustrating diplomatic ties and strong and enduring friendship between Georgia and the UK.
Chair: Professor Edmund Herzig, Oxford University Nizami Ganjavi Centre
Lia Chokoshvili, Georgian Programme, Language and Translation, OSGA
Rachel King, Curator: European Renaissance and Waddesdon Bequest Department of
Britain, Europe and Prehistory at the British Museum
Peter Nasmyth, British-Georgian Society (remote)
Tony Anderson, Author of ‘Bread and Ashes: A Walk Through the Mountains of Georgia’
Gillian Evison, Head of Oriental Section at the Bodleian Libraries (video)
17.30 - 19.00 Reception with Georgian wine (Hilda Besse building)
With a talk from Carla Capalbo, an award-winning food, wine and travel writer and author of the book – ‘Tasting Georgia’.
