Social youth impulses
Young people are not only interested in social processes, they are also politically active. Rather than merely registering decisions and trying their luck abroad, young Georgians stand up for better life conditions in their own country.
Because Georgia is a developing country and its political and economic situation neither stable nor sustainable, it is crucial that people remain alert here. For the same reason it is also essential that our society gets occasionally shaken up by the young generation – and many young people do precisely that. They demonstrate, hold alternative views, think much about and discuss their country’s future. Young people are very much committed to political processes. Recently, a confrontation took place between young activists (mainly students) and the police, triggered by the thoughtless behaviour of the government that violated the dignity of the citizens. After that, thousands of young people went on the streets, showing us that they are striving for a meaningful future for their country.
Unfortunately, youth education and employment remain a problem, which means that many young people go abroad. But they are at least aware that they have to bring about changes and find ways if they want to have a better future.
Interest in anthroposophy
Anthroposophy is not new in Georgia. It has been known here since the 1910s and has developed into a strong movement since then. Aside from various anthroposophical institutions, the country has an active Anthroposophical Society whose work is mainly concentrated in the capital, Tbilisi. It organizes many events throughout the year. Here too, a group of young people is actively involved. Its members have been meeting every Wednesday over the past six years, working on various texts by Rudolf Steiner under the guidance of the council members: first they study the texts and have a conversation and then they do artistic work: either Goethean picture observation or eurythmy.
In the summer of 2016 the youth group was invited to come to the Goetheanum for the Faust Youth Conference. There, the young Georgians got to know many people and participated in various work groups and activities. In the summer of 2018, the group was again invited to the Goetheanum’s Youth Conference. This time they brought a play (Faust) with them which they performed under the direction of Valerian Gorgoschidze. It was then that the idea came up to hold the next international Youth Section meeting in Georgia.
A strong core group
In the autumn of 2018 the group began to look out for other young people who are interested in a project on social questions. As a result, a second group was formed whose members are prepared to take responsibility for a conference. In order to form a strong core group the young people decided to work regularly (every weekend, or every second weekend) on anthroposophical contents and to invite members of the Anthroposophical Society in Georgia who have been studying anthroposophy for a long time to share their experiences with them.
Georgia clearly has strong youth impulses that are active in various directions: many young people are socially active and interested in social processes.