In the frames of Erasmus + Jean Monnet project "Triangle Effect of European Studies at Schools" (TEESS) was organized workshops in Akhaltsikhe on October 19-22, 2020. Workshops were attended by secondary stage students, their parents and teachers from Akhaltsikhe public schools of different languages (Georgian, Armenian and Russian). 

The workshops were conducted by the professors of Caucasus University: Ekaterine Kardava, Zurab Bragvadze and Guranda Tchelidze. The project experts made the overview of the European Association Process in Georgia. Caucasus University European Studies undergraduates were involved in organizing and preparing workshops for schools.

The implementation of the project "Triangle Effect of European Studies at schools" (TEESS)   was supported by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Georgia and the Educational Resource Center of Akhaltsikhe. The meetings were held in full compliance with the regulations of the Ministry of Healthcare of Georgia.

The aim of the workshops was to support Georgia's association with EU in the regions of Georgia populated with the ethnic minorities. In particular, to raise the awareness of the trainees through education, communication and information about Association Agreement between Georgia and European Union, the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (AA / DCFTA) and sound information policy.

Up to 250 listeners participated in the workshops that were conducted in Georgian language to deepen the knowledge of Georgian language (as a state language) in the ethnic minority groups and to strengthen the motivation of students to improve their communication skills in the state language.

The workshops highlighted great interest of the listeners in the Association process of Georgia into the EU. All the listeners including students, parents and teachers noted that much of the information provided was new and important. Teachers emphasized the interest to the discussions on European integration and association issues in the process of teaching civil education and history. In the frames of the project they will soon be able to use the textbook prepared as an additional material for civic education and history classes available in Georgian, Russian, Armenian, Azerbaijani and English languages.

The workshops provided by the project have been completed in Akhaltsikhe and now the students are given the opportunity to take part in the essay competition "I Saw Europe in Georgia" organized within the frames of the same project. They have the opportunity to present papers in Georgian language on the importance of AA / DCFTA in the development of Georgia and on the impact on their lives. They should show how they see themselves in building a democratic society based on European values.

The next workshops are planned in Marneuli secondary schools according to the epidemiological situation in the country.