July 8 — 13, 2025
Demilitarising Mind – Supporting Peace
Peace Education Summer School in Mtskheta, Georgia
Application deadline — April 30th
Languages — English and Russian
Project overview
Started in 2024, the project “Demilitarizing Mind - Supporting Peace” aims at creating a peace education program for post-Soviet countries.
The main theme of the project is the critique of militaristic ideological orientations and the practices associated with them.
The symbolic framework of the project is the 300th anniversary of the birth of the German philosopher Immanuel Kant, author of the treatise “Zum ewigen Frieden“ (”Perpetual Peace").
Started in 2023, the project NoBorderSpace provides a platform to discuss complex and relevant issues such as the history of the relationships, intercultural contacts, imperial and colonial legacies, memory and the politics of history, nationalism, and contemporary conflicts. It also explores methods, approaches, and prospects for their peaceful transformation. Participants from Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia and Belarus joined a series of dialogues held in Baku, Yerevan, Batumi, Tbilisi, as well as the autumn school “International Dialogue for Understanding and Cultural Exchange” in Telavi.
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Project Coordinator
The Goals of the Summer School
We welcome everyone who is ready to use new knowledge and methods of peace education in their professional or volunteer work. The main criterion is personal motivation; a desire and willingness to contribute to peace. Previous experience in international schools or workshops is not required. We value the participants' experience of active community-building work.
Participants will be involved in the design of a peace education program, an educational resource designed to promote a culture of peace and peaceful coexistence. In addition to critiquing militarism and nationalist ideologies, enemy images, and practices of historicising conflict, we will share experiences in talking about peace and reflect together on what peace should be and how to get there.
We see participation in the school as an opportunity to strengthen and expand the transnational network of peace communities, to spread peace ideas, and to popularise methods of working for sustainable peace.
Approach
The Summer School will consist of a series of interactive workshops and lectures designed to develop peace education skills that address the complex issues of armed conflicts, militaristic ideologies and violence.
The main components of the School's work process are the exchange of experiences and mutual learning. Participants will have the opportunity to contribute to the development of a peace education program.
Project team
Requirements to apply
Who can apply?
Applicants from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Georgia, and Russia, including those living/residing in the South Caucasus or EU countries.
Professional experience
School and University teachers, students, social researchers, historians, civil activists and social workers, journalists, educators and artists etc. However, our expectations of applicants’ professional or voluntary activities are not limited to this list and anyone motivated to become a peace educator is welcome to apply.
Applicant's age
No age limit
Terms of participation
● Deadline for the Summer School – April 30, 2025
● The main working languages are English and Russian
● All travel and accommodation costs as well as meals during the event will be covered by the organizers
● As part of the selection process, candidates may be invited to an online conversation