The Office of the State Minister of Georgia for Reconciliation and Civic Equality introduced the report about implementation of State Strategy and Action Plan for Engagement in 2017 and Action Plan for 2018 to the National Minorities Council under the Public Defender of Georgia and the members of the State Interagency Commission.

During the meeting participants discussed the programs and events, implemented in 2017, and the main directions of work of the Office of the State Minister of Georgia for Reconciliation and Civic Equality. They also talked about current projects.

The discussions focused on civil and political life of the ethnic minorities, their equal and full participation in the social and economic life, equal opportunities, quality education and access to knowledge of state language, preservation of the culture of ethnic minorities, on providing of tolerant environment, on the steps and future plans of the State Interagency Commission of the decisions and plans for the future.

They also discussed measures for the support of small and vulnerable ethnic minorities, issues of access to media and gender equality.

It should be mentioned, that implementation of programs and projects in every direction determined by the State Strategy of Civil Equality and Integration and the Action Plan for 2015-2020 will be continued and there is a progress in every direction.

The State Minister of Georgia for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Ketevan Tsikhelashvili and the Public Defender of Georgia Nino Lomjaria delivered a speech at the meeting.

"It is important that we have such mechanism - close cooperation with the Public Defender's Office and permanent communication with the National Minorities Council. Today we will introduce them our report about the implementation of State Strategy and Action Plan for Engagement in 2017 and Action Plan for 2018.  In 2015 our Government approves the Strategy and Action Plan for 2015-2020. Its main task is to ensure every citizen of Georgia, regardless of his/her ethnic or religious affiliation, equal opportunities and life in the country.

"Our annual activities are based on the analysis of current challenges and the main accents are determined by what is the main task. First of all, of course, one of the main tasks still remains to raise the level of knowledge of the state language. Particularly in the regions, which are compactly populated by ethnic minorities, where the number of applicants is high and not only at school age. Our task is to support them as much as possible. There is the State Department of the Language, the Ministry of Education is involved and I think that there will be a number of interesting projects over the next few years.

"It is also a very important task to involve ethnic minorities in different spheres, including politics. 2017 was marked by a very important novelty. I mean a special internship program for ethnic minorities, for successful students of "1 + 4" program. They had an opportunity to take internships in almost all public agencies.  Both at the central and local level. It is very important for them to acquire professional skills, to identify themselves and to work in their field", - said Ketevan Tsikhelashvili.

The meeting was held with the support of USAID and United Nations Association of Georgia (UNAG), "Tolerance, Civic Consciousness and Integration Support Program".