Social Policy in Georgia Calls for Articles (13.11.02)

Contributors’ Guidelines

This journal is devoted to the promotion of Social Policy in Georgia. Articles are welcome that address citizens’ initiatives to promote social action and strategies in different regions of the country, as well as updates on institutional and government plans, legislation, rules and guidelines that concern social issues. Social policy is transformed by local actions, through advocacy and other tools such as media. Reports on such campaigns are especially welcome contributions.

SPG seeks to encourage local communities’ desires for positive changes in policy in such spheres as education, poverty reduction, children’s rights, disabled, elderly, gender issues, social work development, penal reforms, health reforms, legislation and local community initiatives. Original papers will be published on methods, theory, practice and findings on social policy in Georgia and in countries where the comparison of social policy issues is constructive.

Papers will reflect a diversity of approaches, and will keep in mind that a diversity of readers will access the journal: first intended for local communities who wish to promote social policy change, the journal will give priority to such actions, as well as to practitioners’ experiences in specific domains, as well as policy makers.

Domains include (but are not limited to): Education policy, Poverty reduction, Social Welfare issues, Issues faced by the disabled, Children’s issues including the Rights of the Child, Environmental issues, Elderly, Marginalized groups, Social Work, Social sciences related to policy, Health policy.

Contributions should be typed double faced, with a maximum 4 pages (MS Word), Font size 12. Texts should be given both in hard copy (paper) and soft copy (3.5 floppy disk). Original photos (not scanned) that are sharply defined, with a clear relation to the subject are welcome. These are preferably not ‘static’ (meetings, workshops, etc) but ‘actively’ illustrate the subject matter. Language should be clear and simple so that local communities in Georgia can access the information easily. Author’s name, title, mailing address, telephone numbers and e-mail must be included. For information in Georgian contact inform@horizonti.org or in English mechat@horizonti.org.

Training for NGO-Media Collaboration (07.11.02)

On October 16 and 31, 2002 the Horizonti Foundation Regional Trainers’ Network journalists conducted trainings dedicated to NGO and Media effective cooperation at Horizonti’s Kutaisi and Akhalrtsikhe offices. About 20 participants attended the trainings. The training covered the following topics: planning media campaign, writing an effective press release, handling a press conference, organizing effective presentations, handling interviews, crisis management etc. The tools for setting proper and fare Media-NGO relations were also provided to help both journalists and NGO representatives to work together and understand the role of their collaboration in building a healthy and democratic civil society.

In November, journalists of the Horizonti Foundation Regional Trainer’s Network will conduct the same training seminars in Zugdidi, Ozurgeti and Telavi.

Horizonti Starts a New Program in Telavi and Akhaltsikhe (4.11.02)

In September 2002 with the support of National Endowment for Democracy (NED) in Telavi and Akhaltsikhe the Horizonti Foundation launched a new project entitled “Active Society and Media Dialogue with Government.” The project aims on one hand at giving opportunity to the Georgian population to have direct dialogue with the government through mass media and on the other hand, to further informing the regions about the work done by the NGOs and about the ongoing processes in the region.

The 12 months project, which represents a six round TV programs at the Telavi and Akhaltsikhe local televisions, includes starting a live dialogue between the population and local government and self-government representatives on the needs and most critical problems of the region. A live dialogue with a lawyer on legal and human rights issues will be initiated. In the frame of the program, Sakrebulo’s (local self government) meetings will be broadcast and the reaction and measures taken on the claims and proposals of the population during those dialogues will be monitored. The analytical review and evaluation of all these programs by local citizens will finalize the program.

The Horizonti Foundation Announces the Winner NGO Coalitions

New Books

In Summer 2002 the Horizonti Foundation issued a 75-page guide on the issues of marketing activities in non-governmental organizations. The book is called Marketing for NGOs and covers the following topics: targeting action goals for marketing, defining the image goal of the organization, conducting a marketing audit, marketing plan, stimulating and developing an advertising campaign plan and case studies.

The publication is a useful guide for the administrative and executive staff of NGOs.

Marina Kuchukhidze and Giorgi Turkadze - the Horizonti Foundation marketing specialists are authors of the publication.