On 7-9 June 2024 Yerevan School of Political Studies in close cooperation with the Tbilisi School of Political Studies organized a conference under the “Dialogue for European Democratic Future” project in Dilijan, Armenia.

The conference gathered more than 70 participants and guest speakers - representatives of Yerevan and Tbilisi Schools of Political Studies, Ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions, Armenian, Georgian and international experts and guest speakers.

Key topics discussed included the importance of European perspective for the South Caucasus, recognition and resilience to disinformation and propaganda, geopolitics and its implications on the South Caucasus, European good governance practices, hybrid warfare, security environment and digital crisis management, the pivotal role of civil society in shaping a democratic future. The group of young leaders looked into the existing gaps and challenges, as well as underlined the importance to unite the forces to resist the attempts to weaken democracy - different but at the same time serious challenges the two countries face on their way to democracy and stability. Even though every country has its own threats and challenges, but they both have the same vision for future – European democratic future.

Distinguished contributors included H.E. Mr. Vassilis Maragos, Ambassador of the European Union to Armenia; H.E. Mr. Pawel Herczynski, Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia; H.E. Ms. Riina Kaljurand, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Estonia in Georgia and in Armenia; H.E. Mr. Lukas Rosenkranz, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Switzerland in Armenia; and H.E. Ms. Heidi Grau, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Switzerland in Georgia. Special guest speakers included Dr. Thomas Mayr-Harting from the College of Europe, Ms. Kadri Liik from the European Council on Foreign Relations, Ms. Kimberly Dozier from CNN, Ms. Merle Maigre from Estonia’s e-Governance Academy, and Ms. Anne Dastakian from French Weekly Marianne. Armenian and Georgian experts who were engaged are the best experts in fields of their specialization.

“Dialogue for European Democratic Future” project is funded by the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Estonian Embassy in Georgia and in Armenia, European Union and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The project is implemented by the Yerevan School of Political Studies in cooperation with the Tbilisi School of Political Studies. Both Schools are Founding Members of the Association of the Schools of Political Studies of the Council of Europe.