On February 22, 2024, a diverse group of teachers, lecturers, lawyers, social workers, psychologists, and representatives of NGOs gathered for a meeting convened by the Mediators Association of Georgia (MAG) in Kutaisi. The session, held with the support of the USAID Rule of Law Program, helped the local community members learn about the merits of mediation. The Network of Centers for Civic Engagement (NCCE)'s Kutaisi office collaborated with MAG to facilitate this event.

Guiding the proceedings were Tamar Imnaishvili, the Executive Director of MAG, and Irakli Gelovani, ADR Advisor for the USAID Rule of Law Program. They delivered an overview of mediation and its fundamental principles, delineated the types of cases suitable for mediation, outlined the stages of the mediation process, discussed the typical duration of mediations, explained the criteria for selecting a mediator, and clarified the distinctions between court-annexed and private mediation.

During the session, the eleven participants asked questions and received answers regarding the role of mediation in conflict resolution, pathways to becoming a mediator, potential integration of mediation in educational institutions such as schools and universities, the involvement of lawyers in mediation proceedings, and the prevalence of mediation in Georgia across various case categories.

At the end of the meeting several attendees expressed interest in pursuing careers as mediators.