Flying the flag for Georgia
Tuesday, July 17 2007
A high-level delegation from Georgia arrived in the Scottish Borders recently as part of a childcare study tour to the UK.
The group of 10, including ministers, senior officials and an interpreter, received a warm welcome from SBC Convener Alasdair Hutton and Andrew Lowe, Director of Social Work Services. They were particularly surprised and touched to see the Georgian flag flying at full mast from the tower at Council HQ.
After refreshments and a photo opportunity, the group were presented with an overview of the Council’s departmental structures and the working procedures of child protection, fostering and children’s services, from Ann Blackie, Group Manager, Children and Families Resources and Dave Adams of the Child Protection and Review Unit. Later they were given a chance to see how the Social Work Services Department responds to the needs of children at risk with a visit to GlenView Residential Childcare Unit and the Galashiels Family Centre. There they met staff and learned about preventative community work and the day-to-day operations of the Locality Integration Teams.
The UK visit to London and Scotland aimed to increase the group’s understanding of central and local government structures for child welfare. The visit was sponsored by the London-based charity, everyChild as part of an EU Project in Georgia.
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Director of Social Work, Andrew Lowe said: “Georgia is a young democracy engaged in nation building and keen to improve its child welfare arrangements. They have a legacy of large, 200+ orphanages and aspire to a more child centred and socially inclusive approach. It was an honour to be asked to assist in this important work.”
Delegates List:
Alexandre Lomaia, Minister of Education
Vladimer Chipashvili, Minister of Labour, Health and Social Affairs
Alexander Alexishvili, Minister of Finance
Irackli Giorgobiani, Deputy Minister of Labour, Health and Social Affairs
George Tsereteli, Head of Health Committee in Parliament
Givi Mikanadze, Deputy Minister of Justice
Ivane Merabishvili, Ministry of Interior
Tamar Golubiani, Head of MoES Child Care Division
Nelly Akobia, Interpreter
Andro Dadiani, EveryChild Country Director for Georgia
Nino Shatberashvili, Project Director/Child Care Expert
Georgia is a republic situated in the Caucasus. It was part of the former Soviet Union. It is a member of the European Union and has a population of 4.6m. The capital is Tbilisi.
Unified Solutions.