U.S. Ambassador Richard Norland will formally inaugurate the Center for Civic Engagement in Sagarejo at 240 Giorgadze Street, on Wednesday, December 5 at 3:00 p.m. The public and the media are invited to attend. The Center is one of ten U.S. Government-funded centers that operate in cities throughout Georgia to offer the public places to gather and confidently engage in open debate and discourse on issues of public concern. The U.S. Government has invested $5 million in the ten centers opening across the country. The process of fostering dialogue is intended to encourage civic engagement and improve transparency. After opening remarks, the Ambassador will listen to members of the Sagarejo community discuss the issue domestic violence and violence against women in Georgia as a part of the internationally-recognized 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence.
Each center offers a resource library and internet connection to the general public to help them explore issues of importance in their communities. Professional staff at each center will facilitate issue-based events and town hall-style meetings, including with politicians and candidates in elections. The public, civil society organizations and other community groups, political party members, and independent journalists are welcome to use the centers' meeting space free of charge on an equitable, first-come, first-served basis. Each center is operated under a publically-posted code of conduct, with clearly stated rules of operation for every visitor to see.
The centers are an important part of the U.S. Government's commitment to supporting the people of Georgia as they participate in their democracy. The Centers are leased and operated for the people of Georgia by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on behalf of the American people.
Use of the center can be coordinated with the local staff or through the CCE website: http://www.cce.ge. In addition to interesting information about the CCEs, users will find an interactive calendar of planned events that can be used for booking space for future events.
