OSCE Mission to Georgia holds multicultural summer camp for young people

TBILISI, 7 September 2007 - Young people in Georgia, many of them of Armenian and Azerbaijani origin, are attending a summer camp funded by the Mission to Georgia aimed at encouraging integration of national minorities.

The 32 teenagers and young people from Kvemo Kartli - a region south of Tbilisi that is home to large national minority communities - were given the opportunity to learn, relax and do sports activities at the Black Sea resort of Kobuleti. The week-long camp ends tomorrow.

"The camp is helping young people increase their appreciation of each other, civil society and their country," said Lola Ansede, Democratization Officer at the OSCE Mission.

The participants engaged in activities to learn more about multiculturalism, environmental protection and civil society, and to boost their English and Georgian language skills. They also played games and took part in sports events that contributed to team building and helped to develop social skills.

Organized by the OSCE Mission, the camp was co-ordinated by the Union of Azerbaijani Women and the Bolnisi Youth Centre, both from Kvemo Kartli. U.S. Peace Corps volunteers helped run the outdoor games and sports events.