Point of View Hosts Georgia, South Ossetia Peacebuilders
George Mason University's Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution hosted South Ossetian and Georgian civil society-based peace builders from December 16-19 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 and Laura Olsen. The meeting represents one of the first focused track two or citizen diplomacy initiatives since the August war disrupted Georgian-South Ossetian relations.
The individuals in this track two meeting participated in their own personal capacity. During the meeting, they discussed the implications of the August war in rebuilding peace and security in the region, as well as areas where civil society initiatives could play a constructive part in improving relations. These exploratory discussions generated creative ideas for civil society contributions to the overall peace process. “The participants persevered through difficult conversations and made plans for working together to identify missing persons, facilitate dialogues between other Georgians and South Ossetians, protect human rights in the conflict zone, and open communication between their societies,” said Nan. "I am really grateful for USAID funding the Georgian participants' travel to the dialogue, Planethood Foundation covering workshop expenses, broad university support, and the use of Point of View for these discussions."