GEORGIA Statement by Mr. Giorgi Tumasyan Georgia’s Youth Delegate to the United Nations 10th session of the United Nations Forum on Minority Issues Item 2: Inclusive education to empower minority youth Geneva, 30 November 2017 Mister Chair, distinguished delegates, It is my honour to address the 10th session of the United Nations Forum on Minority Issues as Georgia’s first Youth Delegate to the United Nations with an ethnic minority background. At the outset, I would like to thank the United Nations and the Government of Georgia for their continuous efforts to empower minorities, including minority youth. A comprehensive solution to empower minorities and not leave them behind the Sustainable Development Agenda is strategic investments in the education of the minority youth, who represent a building block for more integrated, equal and inclusive societies. Georgia is a multi-ethnic county, where every single citizen regardless of their ethnic background is a source of strength to our country, so they are at the centre of the strategy of the Government of Georgia. Diversity represents a valuable asset of Georgia and a resource for the democratic and stable development of the country.1 Alongside with the dominant ethnic group - Georgians - representatives of different ethnic groups have played a significant role in the country's development throughout various stages of history.2 Improving access to quality education by providing high quality pre-school, general, vocational and higher education as well as the acquisition of increasing state language knowledge among minority The Government of Georgia, “State Strategy of Georgia for Civic Equality and Integration and Action Plan for 2015-2020”, The Vision for Civic Equality and Integration Policy, August 2015, (http://smr.gov.ge/Uploads/esen_55b90432.pdf) 2 The Government of Georgia, “State Strategy of Georgia for Civic Equality and Integration and Action Plan for 2015-2020”, Introduction, August 2015, (http://smr.gov.ge/Uploads/esen_55b90432.pdf) 1