Press Release - Georgian-South Ossetian Confidence Building Workshop Series Continues

Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution

Press Release
6/4/2009

Point of View Georgian-South Ossetian Confidence Building Workshop Series Continues

George Mason University's Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution hosted South Ossetian and Georgian civil society-based peacebuilders from May 31- June 3 at a workshop in Istanbul. These discussions built on a December 2008 workshop at Point of View, the university's conflict resolution retreat facility at Mason Neck, Va. Susan Allen Nan, assistant professor of conflict analysis and resolution at George Mason University planned the session and facilitated with Dr. Paula Garb, Lara Olson, Kate Romanova, and Georgian and South Ossetian partners. The Point of View process is the only continuing series of track two or citizen diplomacy initiatives meeting regularly since the August war disrupted Georgian-South Ossetian relations.

The 18 individuals in this track two meeting participated in their own personal capacity. During the meeting, they discussed the current situation, the range of related peacebuilding initiatives, as well as plans for developing the Point of View process in the future.
These unofficial discussions generated creative ideas for improving Georgian-South Ossetian relations.“The participants persevered through some difficult conversations and found some areas of agreement on the needs to locate missing persons, assist individuals living in particular regions, and open communication between their societies,” said Nan. "I am grateful for the sincerity of the participants, and for Open Society Georgia Foundation funding to the International Center for Conflict and Negotiation in Tbilisi for the Georgian participation in the dialogue, and the GMU Foundation’s Point of View Fund supporting South Ossetian and general workshop expenses.”

Mason and ICAR have been involved in several confidential and non-confidential citizen diplomacy initiatives over ICAR’s 26-year history including talks surrounding conflicts in the Horn of Africa, Middle East, Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.

For more information about the meeting or to speak with Susan Allen Nan, contact Jim Greif at 703-993-9118 or jgreif@gmu.edu.




Press Release 6/4/2009 Point of View Georgian-South Ossetian Confidence Building Workshop Series Continues George Mason University's Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution hosted South Ossetian and Georgian civil society-based peacebuilders from May 31- June 3 at a workshop in Istanbul. These discussions built on a December 2008 workshop at Point of View, the university's conflict resolution retreat facility at Mason Neck, Va. Susan Allen Nan, assistant professor of conflict analysis and resolution at George Mason University planned the session and facilitated with Dr. Paula Garb, Lara Olson, Kate Romanova, and Georgian and South Ossetian partners. The Point of View process is the only continuing series of track two or citizen diplomacy initiatives meeting regularly since the August war disrupted Georgian-South Ossetian relations. The 18 individuals in this track two meeting participated in their own personal capacity. During the meeting, they discussed the current situation, the range of related peacebuilding initiatives, as well as plans for developing the Point of View process in the future. These unofficial discussions generated creative ideas for improving Georgian-South Ossetian relations.“The participants persevered through some difficult conversations and found some areas of agreement on the needs to locate missing persons, assist individuals living in particular regions, and open communication between their societies,” said Nan. "I am grateful for the sincerity of the participants, and for Open Society Georgia Foundation funding to the International Center for Conflict and Negotiation in Tbilisi for the Georgian participation in the dialogue, and the GMU Foundation’s Point of View Fund supporting South Ossetian and general workshop expenses.” Mason and ICAR have been involved in several confidential and non-confidential citizen diplomacy initiatives over ICAR’s 26-year history including talks surrounding conflicts in the Horn of Africa, Middle East, Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. For more information about the meeting or to speak with Susan Allen Nan, contact Jim Greif at 703-993-9118 or jgreif@gmu.edu.		About ICAR Student Information Prospective Students Faculty and Staff Alumni Career Services Academic Programs Library ICAR In The News Events Technology Resources Point Of View Center ICAR Publications Center for World Religions, Diplomacy & Conflict Resolution