Open letter to the Sukhishvili Teaching University from Civic Education Lecturers Association (CELA):

First of all we would like to express our respect towards Sukhishvili Teaching University. CELA, since the day of its establishment, is engaged in cooperation with this university. The university has integrated civic education course Democracy and Citizenship, which was created by International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) by the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) into its study curriculum, thus contributing to the development of the democratic values and strong civil society in Georgia. 

One of the key characteristics of a democratic society is the Freedom of Speech – when all citizens, equally, have the right to freely and openly express their views. This is particularly important aspect in the professional life of civic education course lecturers and teachers, considering the fact that they are often precisely the ones who contribute to the development of strong civil society as they lead by example for the young people through their own civic participation. 

Arina Tavakarashvili, is one of those lecturers who is actively engaged in the civil society and discussions on the most problematic issues for Georgia. Therefore it is very disappointing to hear recent news about the restriction on Ms. Tavakarashvili’s pedagogical activities. Civic Education Lecturer Association (CELA) is primarily interested to find out the real reasons behind such decision. In our opinion the arguments identified in the information which was released on the restriction of Arina Tavakarashvili’s pedagogical activities are unacceptable for the university environment, because teaching should be free from any ideological and political affiliations. 

The students from Sukhishvili Teaching University, under Arina Tavakarashvili’s supervision were always actively evolved in different activities organized throughout Georgia by the CELA and we sincerely hope that this successful practice of our cooperation will continue with the same intensity in the future. Therefore, we, the members of Civic Education Lecturers Association (CELA) – more than 50 lecturers from 27 Universities across Georgia, express our solidarity to Arina Tavakarashvili and hope that in the nearest future she will regain her rights to continue pedagogical activities.