News

Georgia: New Publication on Regional Conflicts

30.08.10

Two years after the Georgian-Russian war of August 2008 the secessionist conflicts in the Georgian territories of Abchasia und South Ossetia are still unresolved. Dr. Dieter Boden, author of the new FES-Publication "Keine Lösung in Sicht? Die Konflikte in Georgien zwei Jahre nach dem August-Krieg" analyses the situtation and highlights problems and challenges for conflict resolution. The publication in German language can be downloaded here.

Georgia: Training on Collective Bargaining

22.06.10

In an effort to hold a constructive social dialogue, representatives of the Georgian employers and trade unions jointly attended a training on "collective bargaining" organized by FES. During the four day training (17-20 June 2010), participants had the opportunity to discuss, learn and practice principle, strategies and instrument for collective bargaining and social dialogue. This was the first trainings as part of a two year project "Promoting Social Dialogue in Georgia" funded by the European Union. Project partners are FES, the Georgian Trade Union Confederation GTUC and the Georgian Employers Association GEA.

Armenia: National Platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum launched

On June 7th, 2010 the National Platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society was launched in Armenia with support of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES). The National Platform is a country-wide network of more than 140 Armenian NGOs. It has the aim of increasing civil society participation in Eastern Partnership Initiative of the European Union. The Eastern Partnership was introduced in March 2009 with the aim to intensify relations between the European Union and the six partner countries in Eastern Europe, namely Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus.

Georgia: Training for setting up a Media Trade Union

17.05.10

The Georgian Trade Union Confederation GTUC, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung and the German Trade Union “Ver.di” organized a training for journalists and media workers on May 14-16, 2010 in Bazaleti. With the support of German trainers the participants developed strategies for organizing and unionizing media workers in Georgia under the umbrella of a Media Trade Union. The first memorandum of a Georgian Media Trade Union was written and approved.

Azerbaijan: Survey on political attitudes

05.05.10

“Puls-R” Sociological Service in cooperation with Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung carried out a public opinion poll on political attitudes and political participation in Azerbaijan. The sociological survey and comparative analysis has been done annually since 2006 with support of FES. It provides a much-needed, neutral source of information on political beliefs and attitude among the population of Azerbaijan and is widely cited by NGOs, newspapers and journalists. The presentation of the latest survey took place on April 30 in Baku. It provides a comparative analysis of political attitudes in Azerbaijan for the period 2006 to 2010. The report can be downloaded here.
ENGRUS

Georgia: Study of Occupational Safety and Health

04.05.10

The Georgian Trade Unions Confederation (GTUC), in cooperation with FES, has published a study of Occupational Safety and Health in Georgian companies. The study concludes that there is constant violation of basic standards in this sector, due to the lack of monitoring bodies and an incomplete legislation. In addition to an overview of the present situation of Occupational Safety and Health the publication contains findings and recommendations. The final report can be downloaded here.

Azerbaijan: The Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum in European Integration

28.04.10

The Azerbaijan Lawyers Confederation and the Society for Humanitarian Research organized with support from Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung the conference “The Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum in European Integration” on April 26, 2010 in Baku. The major goal of the conference was to discuss the role of civil society in the implementation of the European Neighborhood Policy and the Eastern Partnership Initiative in Azerbaijan. The conference speakers, moderators and participants agreed to improve the negotiations and dialogue between all stakeholders in order to foster the European Integration process in Azerbaijan.

Georgia: Trade Union Seminar for TV Journalists

22.04.10

The Georgian Trade Union Confederation GTUC and FES organised a Seminar for TV Journalists on April 16-17, 2010 in Bazaleti. Topics of the seminar were the situation of Georgian Trade Unions, labour relations in the Media sector as well as principles of Social Dialogue and collective bargaining. The aim for the future is to set up a Trade Union in the Media sector.

Armenia: Regional Security Conference

20.04.10

The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung and the Armenian NGO Concord organized a Regional Security Conference in the Armenian city of Tsakhkadzor on April 16.-17, 2010. The conference brought together civil society representatives from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia, Germany and Turkey as well as from the non-recognized territories Abchasia, South Ossetia and Karabakh. It was the aim of the conference to develop perspectives for dialogue between the conflicting parties of the Southern Caucasus.

Armenia: Armenia-Turkey Civil Diplomacy Dialogue

29.03.10

From 21 to 24 of March 2010 Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) together with Yerevan-based Analytical Centre on Globalization and Regional Cooperation (ACGRC) conducted the third workshop: “Armenia-Turkey Civil Diplomacy Dialogue”. The workshop brought together number of distinguished experts from Armenia and Turkey, as well as representatives of the diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited to Armenia. The aims of the Workshop were: Strengthening Civil Society initiatives for improving Armenian-Turkish bilateral relations and Trust building between societies through the cooperation of independent experts from Armenia and Turkey.