A round table was held on the participation and involvement of ethnic minorities in decision-making process. The State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Ketevan Tsikhelashvili delivered a speech on this event.

The audience also was welcomed by the Public Defender of Georgia Nino Lomjaria and Tamar Sirbiladze, the Head of the Social Development Department of the United States Agency for International Development.

Ethnic Minorities in decision-making process: the actuality of the issue, current challenges and solutions, state vision and policies, recommendations of the Council of National Minorities under the Public Defender - these topics were discussed during the round table.

According to the State Minister, it is important that there is an inter-agency commission on civil integration issues and it has interesting results in this direction.

"Today we are talking about one of the most important directions - how to enhance the involvement of ethnic minorities in the public life of the country. First of all, this means the strengthening of the ethnic minorities, their skills, including improving the level of knowledge of the state language.

"Of course, we talked about the existing challenges but at the same time about the steps that government made during the last few years. For example, special public consultation councils have been activated in regions compactly populated by ethnic minorities, where the population can take part in policy planning, ask questions and express their opinions at the local self-government level.

"Besides, we started a very important program half a year ago, according to which an internship program was launched in different state agencies for ethnic minority students - "1 + 4 educational program ". All public institutions are opened to them in order to increase their competence, get experience and take the first steps in professional life", - said Ketevan Tsikhelashvili.

The event was organized by the Council of National Minorities under the Public Defender. Supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Georgia's United Nations Association (UNAG), Tolerance, Civic Consciousness and Integration Support Program (PITA).