The forum was unofficially created in 2011 under the USAID-funded Civic Education and Teacher Training Program. It was officially registered in 2013 and has been an active partner of PH International since then. As its Director, Maka Bibileishvili tells us, PH International has made a huge contribution to the growth of the forum’s capabilities and the development of its services: “Because of this support, today the Forum is an independent and the biggest professional association in Georgia, with a large network of local and international partners.”As a partner of USAID’s Civic Education Program, the Forum will:-Support the professional growth of civic education teachers;-Create resources for quality learning;-Support the activities of student self-governments;-Advocate topics such as the development of the subject, development of student portfolios and taking them into account in university acceptance process;Within the framework of the long-standing partnership, the forum has hosted many events and activities. “It is difficult to distinguish one out of so many. However, if we take into account the emotions of the teachers and the scope of the events, the annual Civic Education Teachers’ Conference and the award ceremony for successful teachers are a celebration for all our project participants and members of the organization. It should also be noted that it was PH International who set a precedent of encouragement for civic education teachers”, – says the director of the Forum.
Maka Bibileishvili believes that as a result of the program, schools will become more democratic, and teachers will better support the upbringing of active citizens, which will ultimately affect the democratic development of the country.