The document discusses the 10th anniversary celebration of DRONI, a youth organization based in Georgia. It describes the anniversary party, which brought together current and former members over many generations who have been involved with DRONI over the past 10 years. It highlights the success of DRONI in organizing many local and international projects. It also includes a first-hand account of the author's positive experiences traveling alone in Iran, contradicting the dangerous stereotypes about the country, and their hospitable treatment as a guest staying with local families.
The document discusses the 10th anniversary celebration of DRONI, a youth organization based in Georgia. It describes the anniversary party, which brought together current and former members over many generations who have been involved with DRONI over the past 10 years. It highlights the success of DRONI in organizing many local and international projects. It also includes a first-hand account of the author's positive experiences traveling alone in Iran, contradicting the dangerous stereotypes about the country, and their hospitable treatment as a guest staying with local families.
The document discusses the 10th anniversary celebration of DRONI, a youth organization based in Georgia. It describes the anniversary party, which brought together current and former members over many generations who have been involved with DRONI over the past 10 years. It highlights the success of DRONI in organizing many local and international projects. It also includes a first-hand account of the author's positive experiences traveling alone in Iran, contradicting the dangerous stereotypes about the country, and their hospitable treatment as a guest staying with local families.
Fourth year turned since the day when I came for the frst tme to the messiest ofce in the world. Came and stayed and became part of this organizaton, associaton, more right will be to call it family. I dont really know exactly how its started, but the fact is that today DRONI celebrates its 10 th anniversary. Big celebraton, frst reunion party! Obviously should be special, huge and unforgetable. All of us wanted to be involved in organizing of the event, but because of the busy working season had a deserved holiday. So the day of anniversary came in a way that I did not know anything about program and for the frst tme came as a guest on the event of DRONI. Efect was unforgetable for the really frst tme. First of all people whom I did not met for years, happy faces, party of people with same interest and once from the same family. Everyone was invited, all generatons, even people whom I never saw and just heard about them somewhere from someone. Nominatons, Live music, Games, as usual big mess and of course lots of fun. Party lasted tll 6 A.M ! New Year had defnitely a good start. I really hope that will see at least 50 % of that people from party involved actvely in DRONI projects. Since that day 4(or maybe 3) years ago lots of things changed in my life as well as in organizaton. People come, people leave, but one thing stayed as it was: DRONI RULES AND NOT THE KINGS! Tata Beria
January, 2014 DRONI News Droni rules, not the kings! Hot news: DRONI is 10 year old now Latest European Projects Whats new in ACCT Report from Iran Dont sit at home - become a volunteer !!!
In this number:
Dronis 10th Bday 1 ACCT - From abandond building to Cultural Centre 2 What it really means to be a volunteer 3 Travellers diary 3 European Citizenship training in Moldova 4 Inter-generation Study Visit in France 4 Editorials 4 Wel come everyone in new years edition. Last year was very productive and succesful for our organization. We managed to organize dozens of l ocal and internati onal projects and nowadays we are celebrating our 10th anniversary. Thank you very much for al l thi s time together and wi sh you all the best with the New Year. May it bring you hapiness, good health and lot of moti vation and new ideas.
Best regards, Giorgi Kikalishvilli The President 2
Hippodrome - Tbilisis Meltng Pot Squat
Artsts, actvists, intellectuals and travellers have fnally found a focal point for the changing face of Tbilisi's cultural scene. In the spirit of European squats, the space is a meltng pot for ideas and free expression. And there's even a camel. Tbilisi has an unquestonably vibrant, colourful cultural scene. However, poverty and social exclusion are widespread. Marginalized communites are ofen excluded from the arts and from social and politcal actvites aimed at democratzing decision-making processes and improving the quality of life for Tbilisis residents. In an historic act, however, a diverse group of Georgian citzens and foreign residents have occupied a derelict building near the citys hippodrome in the Saburtalo district, transforming the abandoned building into a cultural centre that aims to put an end to elitsm and facilitate community actvites in favour of the arts and positve social actvism. Although their project is in its early stages, it has already caught the atenton of artsts and actvists from across Georgia, Europe and the Caucasus. As I walk up to the old stables that now house the Alternatve Cultural Centre of Tbilisi, the last thing I expect is to be standing in the forest just 20 minutes later, a jar of hot tea in my hand as I gaze into the eyes of a camel. But here she is, Tchini the camel, slobbering and snifng as she gazes at me with her round hazel eyes. Shes half Afghan, half Mongol, a rare breed, her travel companion Goran explains as his litle horned goats frolic to my lef and right in the wooded area surrounding the stables. Some claim that Monika and Guillermo, volunteers from Lithuania and Spain who are completng their European Voluntary Service (EVS) in the Tbilisi-based DRONI Youth Associaton, discovered the building and decided to bring Europes culture of squatng (occupying empty buildings) to Georgia. Others claim that Goran, the nomad travelling from Afghanistan with his caravan of goats, puppies, chickens, and of course, Tchini the camel, claimed the space as his own, opening the way for others to transform the building into the vibrant social centre it is today. Goran, however, claims that it was the camel who led the way. What is certain is that the organizers are determined to put as much love and energy as humanly possible into making the space a special one. The scene that unfolds before me as I walk into the centre brings a smile to my face. The December sun pours in through the lofy windows, members of Tbilisis Frisbee club are practcing tossing disks, and people sit by a bonfre in the middle of the room, chatng and holding their hands over the fre to keep warm. Artsts of all stripes are busy paintng the buildings blank walls, and two DJs with waist-length dreadlocks play reggae music for those assembled. A makeshif swing hangs from the ceiling and people are taking turns pushing one another, shoutng and laughing. Stll others mill around, taking photographs and coming up with ideas for the space. Free dance lessons, gymnastcs, language exchanges, politcal roundtables, feminist discussion groups and flm screenings are just some of the ideas being tossed around. What has been decided defnitvely, however, is that the space will be free of all recreatonal drugs and alcohol. This decision aims to keep the violence that ofen plagues Georgias bars and nightclubs at bay. Despite the many challenges of building consensus, the group remains commited to promotng a horizontal, non-hierarchical decision making structure that respects a diversity of opinions and takes everyones ideas into account. I meet actvists from Russia, artsts from Syria, Georgian students and seasoned members of civil society. I spend tme sitng in the warm kitchen amidst piles of bananas and tangerines as a 21-year-old American studies student makes hot tea and vegan borsch for the crowd. I chat with Irakli, a middle-aged engineer and hacktvist who helped reinstall the buildings electricity. I chat to Alf, the mysterious nomadic actvist who originally put me in touch with Monika and Guillermo when they were looking for a place to launch the project. He speaks with infectous enthusiasm, his blue eyes twinkling, as he discusses his vision for the ACCT. This is the frst tme anything like this is happening in Tbilisi. What we want is to have a free community space to bring together diferent groups of people, create community, challenge the elitst status quo that claims people need money to be involved in society and make the world beter, explains Alf. Not everyone can aford to be part of a foundaton and sit in a nice, warm ofce to brainstorm ideas to make society beter, adds Gio, 24, a resident of Tbilisi, We can create a space for everyone here. Elsewhere this is a typical Sunday in Tbilisi, but here in the cultural centre I know I am witnessing something special, an opportunity for a real grassroots movement to grow and thrive in a city that was devoid of prospects afer years of war, transiton, and economic hardship. The Alternatve Cultural Centre of Tbilisi is an opportunity for anyone, regardless of age and background, to come and be a part of a community and partcipate in making Tbilisi their own. Moreover, the best is yet to come.
Cristna Maza Chinny with her owner Hippodrome Open Space 3
Contact Us to become a member !!! auntes, grandpas, nephews and so on. Iranian people are strongly bonded to their families and try to spend together as much tme as possible. We would sat altogether on the foor, on very expensive handmade carpets and celebrate with delicious meals, chai and water pipe, called qelian. I would say that Iranian food is very healthy, a lot of rice as a base, vegetables, greens, fruits and some meet, mostly lamb and chicken. I enjoyed it so much that for 2 weeks I quit my vegetarianism. I also loved visitng bazaars, with their special atmosphere, crowds, bargains and tons of I planned this travel for half a year. I made a big mistake at the very beginning, and applied for my visa in Tbilisi instead of going to Trabzon, Turkey. Thats why I waited for almost 5 months to get it. Before I lef, I was a bit concerned, mostly because of my family in Poland and Georgian friends were really scared that Im going to Iran by bus and furthermore alone. Iran, especially in Europe and USA, is considered to be dangerous country, full of religious fanatcs. Nothing could be more wrong! Quickly turned out, that there is nothing to be scared of as Iranians are most hospitable and helpful people Ive ever met. My all hosts were very thoughtul and contacted each other to check if Im fne. I spent couple of days with my friends family in Zanjan, afer that I used Couchsurfng, and I was really surprised how easy it is to fnd a good host in this country. The greatest thing during my stay was the opportunity to meet so many nice people and to listen to their stories. I was being invited for whole family gatherings, with all the fresh products, spices and crafs. Although it might be very annoying for foreigner in Tehran I met a carpet seller who followed afer me for an hour trying to talk me into purchase. The amazing thing at bazaars, even those typically touristc ones is that all crafs and souvenirs are handmade, ofen in the shop itself. You wont fnd there cheap stuf Made in China. Stll these beautful products are quite inexpensive according to Western standards. Of course being a woman traveller, you have to remain cautous. Dont forget to wear your hijab (special headgear) all the tmes youre outside, remember to cover your shoulders and feet. Dont shake hands with men and dont smoke in public. In city buses and metro there are separated spaces for men and women. Alcohol its prohibited in Iran, but many people in Tehran have their home-grown bathroom distlleries. However all those restrictons arent too inconvenient. Just deal with it and enjoy!
Anna Brych What does volunteering mean to me?! Brych in Iran
From volunteers diary In the following sentences Id like to tell you what motvates me to be a volunteer. As I am a boy, and already have experienced alternatve civilian service, I think the volunteering is a good opportunity to gain some new experiences for life by being confronted with another culture and having to deal with several challenges. In our world that is growing together more and more; I think it is so much important to strengthen peoples awareness for our globalized life. Volunteering-this is serving a cause greater, than ones self. It means taking the tme to help someone who cannot help themselves, and it means providing for those who need just a litle boost to get started climb even a litle difculty or to create a success in their life. It means a few minutes of my tme, but to those who are struggling, it can mean too much. It gives me an opportunity to provide hope, balance and consideraton to others, and it is my honor to assist a struggling friend. Would strongly suggest to everyone to spend some tme being a volunteer and enjoy with every minute of this wonderful feeling. Sincere, George Beridzishvili Isfahan - Half of the World 4
Edited by: Brych Anna brych@droniweb.org +995 592 39 75 75 Internatonal projects Youth actvists, youth workers, youth leaders and multpliers from 8 diferent countries (Belarus, Georgia, Germany, Italy, Estonia, Poland, Moldova and Ukraine) came together in Chisinau, Moldova to explore the concept of European Citzenship and identfy ways how to promote it among a larger number of young people in our own countries. 9 days internatonal training courses main topic was European Citzenship: Understanding and Actng Creatvely.
Training course had a base in Chisinau, Moldova and all the actvites had done there, we summarize Youth in Acton program and deeply discussed Erasmus+. We also visited sightseeing in Chisinau Capital of Moldova during City Rally actvity and had excursion in countryside, where we visited Curchi Monastery, several churches and some historical places near Curchi monastery, also had so delicious dinner in the village with traditonal meals. It was so excitng and amazing trip with full of positve emotons. During this project the partcipants were divided in diferent types of several groups, also had energizers, brainstorming sessions, actve discussion and experience sharing, work in small groups and interactve presentatons of the work results, role -plays and simulatons, using open space technique for project development performances and exercises. Some of the actvites were facilitatng by group leaders , also by Georgian group leader, Working in the groups was very interestng and productve; Group members got on each other well; We had a team refectons in diferent ways afer sessions in the evening and fnal evaluaton. During the project we visited many interestng places, sightseeing of Moldova and also had meetngs with non-governmental organizatons and governmental insttutons. We were visited Moldavian Diaspora department which especially supports Moldavian youth abroad, Eastern Eurasia partnership foundaton in Moldova and in the evening meetng with Minister of Foreign Afairs in Parliament of Moldova. We also visited main cathedral of Chisinau, Stefan Cel Mare park and famous people monuments Pushkins Park. We can say, that this project was defnitely very successful for Georgian team, with amazing and unforgetable memories, we got new friends, future potental partners for follow up process, improve our language skills, developed our presentaton, communicaton skills, gain new internatonal level experience and knowledge connected with our TCs topic and had a nice tme together. During the training course we lived in Chisinau, in the Funky Mamaliga. Giorgi Agirbaia European Citizenship in Moldova This Study Visit has gathered young and old people from diferent countries (France, Italy, Armenia and Georgia) belonging to diferent organizatons. The project started on 10-th of November and ended on 16-th of November 2013.The course was quite interestng and informatve due to its aim has been promotng intergeneratonal dialogue and learning through the medium of new tools. Comparing to our experiences and knowledge between young and old generaton, discussing some problems related to this topic partcipants could clearly see the causing reasons and tried to fnd ways of solving them. Especially sortng out the evening while having a meetng at the town hall of Saint Etenne where the ofcials or representatves of local NGOs atended our presentatons about the organizatons that we belong to. We could evidently see the diferences among countries how NGOs work and how the age of target groups difer in each country. Each day we had been visitng several local organizatons in Saint Etenne. Such as Le Caf -lecture le Remue-Meninges, Centre Social La Riviere or Chock Theatre . We had conversatons with the representatves that could give us opportunites to fnd out more or recombine some ideas for future collaboraton.During the training course partcipants identfed and started to develop ideas for partnership projects that would promote intergeneratonal understanding, using the knowledge and skills obtained from the event. Teona Modebadze Generaton Exchange Learning