Within the framework of the project “Debates for Better Education”, which is supported by the Gudavadze-Patarkatsishvili Foundation, the final event of the first teacher training was held.

During the four-day training, teachers from Kakheti, Imereti, Shida Kartli regions, and Tbilisi public schools mastered the techniques of debating, setting up, and managing debate clubs. According to the project manager Tinatin Tsertsvadze, the number of people wishing to participate in the training was quite large, so they were selected through a two-stage competition. According to her, all interested teachers will be able to participate in the training in the next stages of the project.

After the training, the teachers were awarded special certificates. The event, which was held at the NATO and EU Information Center, was attended by the head of the General Education Management and Development Department of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports of Georgia – Lali Kalandadze, the chairman of the European Integration Committee of the Parliament of Georgia – David Songhulashvili, the director of Gudavadze-Patarakatsishvili Foundation – Zurab Kervalishvili, project partners, supporters, school principals participating in the project and heads of resource centers.

On December 23, 2019, a public lecture was held at the initiative of Ilia State University Debate Club. The guest of the lecture was the representative of the Georgian youth at the UN – Esma Gumberidze.

The topic of the public lecture was: “Youth power in the UN”.

The invited speaker introduced the audience to the mission and purpose of the UN Youth Representative and how students should participate in similar projects. The meeting was held in question-answer mode.

On December 13, 2019, a public lecture by Tinatin Tsertsvadze on the topic: “Challenges of the Modern Parent” was held at the private school “Jejili”. The lecture was held in question and answer mode on the following issues:

• The impact of electrical appliances (“gadgets”) on parents and children;
• The role and difficulties of live communications in the modern family, specific recommendations and their effectiveness;
• The importance of parental value systems and priorities in general in shaping adolescents;
• Encouraging children’s areas of interest;
• A sense of gratitude and its development in raising children

On December 5, 2019, at the initiative of Ilia State University Debate Club, a public lecture was held by Tinatin Tsertsvadze on the topic: “Who Wins in Debate?”

The public lecture was attended by students of all faculties. The meeting was held in an active question-answer mode.