George Mason University's Point of View Confidence Building Workshop Series with Georgians and South Ossetians Continues

Jun. 5, 2009

Media Contact: James Greif, jgreif@gmu.edu 703-993-9118

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Arlington, Va. – George Mason University's Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution (ICAR) hosted South Ossetian and Georgian civil society-based peacebuilders May 31- June 3 at a workshop in Istanbul, Turkey. These discussions built on a December 2008 workshop at Point of View, the university's conflict resolution retreat facility at Mason Neck, Va.

Susan Allen Nan, assistant professor of conflict analysis and resolution at George Mason University planned the session and facilitated with Paula Garb, Lara Olson, Kate Romanova, and Georgian and South Ossetian partners.  The Point of View process is the only continuing series of track two or citizen diplomacy initiatives meeting regularly since the August war disrupted Georgian-South Ossetian relations.

The 18 individuals in this track two meeting participated in their own personal capacity.  During the meeting, they discussed the current situation, the range of related peacebuilding initiatives, as well as plans for developing the Point of View process in the future.

These ongoing discussions generated creative ideas for improving Georgian-South Ossetian relations. “The participants persevered through some difficult conversations and found some areas of agreement on the needs to locate missing persons, assist individuals living in particular regions, and open communication between their societies,” said Nan.  "I am grateful for the sincerity of the participants, and for Open Society Georgia Foundation funding to the International Center for Conflict and Negotiation in Tbilisi for the Georgian participation in the dialogue, and the GMU Foundation’s Point of View Fund supporting South Ossetian and general workshop expenses.”

Mason and ICAR have been involved in several confidential and non-confidential citizen diplomacy initiatives over ICAR’s 26-year history including talks regarding conflicts in the Horn of Africa, Middle East, Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.

Editor's note: For more information about the meeting or to speak with Susan Allen Nan, contact Jim Greif at 703-993-9118 or jgreif@gmu.edu.

About The Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution
ICAR is an innovative academic resource for people and institutions worldwide. It comprises a community of scholars, students, alumni, practitioners and organizations in the field of peacemaking and conflict resolution. ICAR is a Commonwealth Center for Excellence, recognized for its leadership in the field and its world-renowned faculty.

About George Mason University
Named the #1 national university to watch by U.S. News & World Report, George Mason University is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with global distinction in a range of academic fields. Located in the heart of Northern Virginia’s technology corridor near Washington, D.C., Mason prepares its students to succeed in the work force and meet the needs of the region and the world. With strong undergraduate and graduate degree programs in engineering and information technology, dance, organizational psychology and health care, Mason students are routinely recognized with national and international scholarships. Mason professors conduct groundbreaking research in areas such as cancer, climate change, information technology and the biosciences, and Mason's Center for the Arts brings world-renowned artists, musicians and actors to its stage.

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