Nino Evgenidze, a recent guest speaker at GZAAT, gave a speech to 9th-grade students on the importance of fighting for freedom and maintaining the identity of our country. During her lecture, she touched on many themes, including the Independence of Georgia, the development of the Georgian economy, and the need for enthusiasm for freedom in our country. Currently, Nino is the Executive Director of the Economic Policy Research Center. Still, throughout her 20 years of working in government and non-government sectors, she has gone through many jobs, all contributing to Georgias' development and economic growth.
The organization that Nino works for, Economic Policy Research Center, is one of the places that contribute to our country's development. To raise awareness of democracy, and economic progress in Georgia, the organization translates relevant literature, holds educational training sessions with students and young activists and has discussions on different ideas for Georgia's development with many important associates. Along with raising awareness, their organization assists numerous Georgian businesses in entering the European market with their goods.
On 22nd November, at 14:00, a meeting was held with Nino Evgenidze in the school library. The lecture was for the ninth grade, but others interested were free to attend. Faculty members also attended the meeting: Manana Pkhakadze, the initiator, actively participated in the lecture by adding comments to Nino's speech, as well as a Math teacher, George Mchedlishvili, who attentively listened to Nino.
By discussing the problems affecting each Georgian citizen, such as maintaining the country's dignity, the results of occupation, and Georgias' need for development, Nino kept the students engaged and interested. She answered questions and discussed different topics with them after the meeting ended. One of the freshmen asked what Georgia's identity meant to her. She believes that Georgia's identity stems from the constant pursuit of freedom and independence rather than our national foods and dances. "Our country will survive until there's a single Georgian still fighting for freedom," said Nino.
She made it clear during her lecture that her main concern for Georgians was that people shouldn't lose their enthusiasm for independence and must also thrive in the future. "It isn't necessary to take action by doing something huge; each small contribution is crucial for our country's survival since passion is what truly matters."
The book "The fight for freedom: from the Baltic to the Black sea" by authors from Georgia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Ukraine, which discusses these countries' battles for independence, was a gift from Nino to the school library. By publishing and giving out books like this, the Economic Policy Research Center spreads information about the countries still developing or those needing help. The book will be waiting in the library for anyone interested.
Edited by: Ana Kharabadze