On May 13, the US Consular Officer Andrew Partin lead a session on environment and ecology at the American Corner in Rustavi. The presentation included a documentary film “Human Footprint”, which illustrated the influence humans have on environment. The presentation was followed by a live discussion on environmental issues during which the guest speaker was pleasantly surprised by erudition of Access Program students and by how seriously they took the global problem of ecology and pollution. Students even proposed their own solutions for one of the most serious and vulnerable problems of humanity and underlined the role of the new generation in ensuring a better future for our planet.

Award of Access Program Enrollment Certificates held in the months of April and May in Rustavi, Ozurgeti, Akhaltsikhe and Gori was one of the important highlights of the second quarter of program implementation and had a tremendous value and importance for increasing the students’ motivation.

Each and every student enrolled in the program was awarded the Access Program enrollment certificates signed by the U.S Ambassador to Georgia Mr. John Bass. In Rustavi and Ozurgeti, Ambassador Bass personally handed the certificates to the students and congratulated them on the enrollment in the program. In Akhaltskhe Mr. Kent Logsdon, Deputy Chief of Mission performed this honorable duty, while in Gori, Mr. Saul Hernandez, Acting Public Affairs Officer of the U.S. Embassy greeted the Access Program participants and presented them with the enrollment certificates.

On April 29, US Peace Corps volunteers Erin Hardesty and Emily Height organized an enrichment activity on volunteerism and active citizenship for Ozurgeti Access Program students. During the session, the volunteers spoke about the history and importance of volunteerism in the USA. Students generated ideas on the ways and opportunities of the youth engagement in volunteer activities in rural settings of Guria. The PCVs showed short videos on volunteerism, which were later discussed by the students. The entire session was very interactive. According to the students, the Peace Corps Volunteers inspired them with the ideas of volunteerism and gave them what to think about during summer vacations.

On April 28 American Corner at Gori Central Library hosted the Access Program students from Gori. In her opening speech, Inga Kasradze, American Corner Coordinator welcomed the students and briefed them about the history of American corners and a variety of books available there. After the coordinator’s speech, Access Program students made short presentations about the first president of the United States, the Star-Spangled Banner and the capital city of Washington D.C, which they prepared especially for the enrichment activity using the PowerPoint projector. The presentations were followed by interactive games and competitions based on the information presented.

The American Corner in Akhaltsikhe hosted the Access Program students on April 27. Among the invited guest were Ann Martin, Executive Director of PH International and Berdia Natsvilishvili, Director of PH International Georgia Office. Zaira Keleptrishvili, Coordinator of Akhaltsikhe American Corner greeted the students and briefed them about the history and functions of the American Corner. The day continued with a presentation on American customs and holidays delivered by Peace Corps Volunteers Sarah Penrod and Ben Miller. Videos depicting the celebration of the 4th of July, Thanksgiving and Halloween caused a lot of interest among the students. The presentation was followed by Q & A session and interactive games related to the topic of American customs and holidays.

On April 14 ACETT’s partner “Biliki Society” resumed the results of student contest on civic education, which was held among 26 schools in Shida Kartli region. Contest portrayed student knowledge about democracy and citizen participation in civic life.

On May 15, event “Democratic Universe” was held in Telavi with participation of ACETT partner schools in the Kakheti region. Event included presentation of student research about the protection of the rights of the people with disabilities in Telavi.

“Shake Hands with Health” is the slogan under which student members of civics clubs of the Samegrelo region are presenting peer trainings and distributing leaflets to promote healthy lifestyles.

On April 7, Access Program in Gori hosted Corrie Weins, English Language Fellow, who made a presentation on Education System in the United States. Corrie Weins described the three main types of schools in America and talked of the lifestyle and routine of the American students. Corrie’s presentation was followed by a short film about the daily life of one of Chicago schools.

PH International, in the framework of the USAID-funded Applied Civic Education and Teacher Training Program, completed social media trainings for students of school civics clubs. The two-day trainings inspired 131 young leaders from nine regions on using social media for civic initiatives and finding solutions together for issues that youth face on a daily basis.