Young activists from the Republic of Georgia and UNC meet at the Campus Y to discuss politics

Although Tbilisi, the capital of the Republic of Georgia, is more than 6,000 miles away from Chapel Hill, some activists from both locations share similar concerns about their political systems.

When young activists from both Georgia and the University’s Campus Y met Monday, they found similarities in their feelings about the institutions they are fighting to change.

The Georgian delegation came for a visit as part of the U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program, which brings emerging leaders from other countries to observe American politics.

Leila Bekri, director of the International Visitor Leadership Program at the International Affairs Council, coordinated the meeting at the Campus Y.

The International Affairs Council is a nonprofit organization based in the Research Triangle Park that partners with the State Department to run the program.

“We’re trying to expose them to the diversity — the political diversity, the ethnic diversity — and how it’s present and voiced throughout the election,” she said.

Bekri said the meeting at the Campus Y was meant to facilitate connections across borders for students interested in politics.

“While they’re in N.C., we try to get them involved and meet their counterparts,” she said.

The activists discussed the problems both countries have faced and the strategies they intend to use to combat them.

When David Uchadze, youth leader for the Republican Party of Georgia, spoke about income inequality in Georgia, some of the UNC activists said they sympathized with the problem.

“It sounds like here,” said Almir Omerspahic, co-chairman of the UNC branch of Amnesty International.

Many of the activists at the meeting expressed frustration about what they feel is student underrepresentation in education administration.

The Georgian activists noted stark differences in the political culture of the countries.

Shota Dzagnidze, marketing manager for the youth organization of the Georgian Dream political coalition, said many Georgian students are afraid of retribution from the ruling party of their home country, the United National Movement, for taking political action.

“Most of our students are afraid,” Dzagnidze said at the meeting.

He recounted a time when he was intimidated by “huge men” he thinks were sent by the government in retribution for his activism.

He feared for his safety and sought protection with the U.S. embassy.

Uchadze said many Georgians admire the U.S. political system.

“Many different countries see U.S.A. and their election as a model,” he said. “This is true for Georgia.”

Dzagnidze said he hopes Georgian elections will become more open.

He said he believes online tools are democratizing the political process.

“The youth of Georgia is now going to be more engaged,” he said.

“Georgian students, we are the first wing of any demonstrations or political parties.”

Contact the desk editor at university@dailytarheel.com.