THE PROJECT TITLE:

"the role of economic factors in conflict resolution in georgia and the caucasus"

The objectives of the project are to study the potential role of economic factors in conflict resolution in Georgia and the Caucasus, analyze the impact of projects implemented by international financial institutions and humanitarian organizations in conflict zones and post-conflict territories, explore the role of Georgia as a mediator for regional consensus building,  write a research monograph on the issue, and develop a policy paper on how the findings  impact  the future stability of the Caucasus in coordination with network mentors.

Background

The International Policy Fellowships Program (IPF) identifies and supports research by open society leaders in countries throughout the Soros foundations network. IPF is affiliated with  the Center for Policy Studies at Central European University  and  cooperates with partners such as the Woodrow Wilson Center in the United States. IPF nurtures the next generation of open society leaders in the countries of the former Soviet Union, Central and Eastern Europe, and Mongolia. IPF joined forces with the Center for Policy Studies when it was established in late 1999 and began offering  training to policy fellows to develop  their  capacity  to write professional policy documents, identify  appropriate  policy  instruments, and effectively advocate  policies — skills  that  remain  underdeveloped  in countries where  the Soros foundations work. From 2005, IPF activities will diversify into two main program areas: an impact-oriented fellowships program designed for leaders with proven policymaking and advocacy experience, and a public policy capacity development program  providing assistance to up-and-coming policy researchers at local and regional levels.