The Open Society Institute's Central Eurasia Project hosted a lunch briefing, "Hawks on the Rise: The Conflict Regions and Georgian Democracy," with Ana Dolidze, chairwoman of the Georgian Young Lawyers Association (GYLA), one of Georgia's most dynamic NGOs.
A graduate of Tbilisi State University, Dolidze has also conducted extensive legal studies abroad, including receiving her LLM in Public International Law from Leiden University in the Netherlands. In addition to chairing GYLA, she contributes to the work of a number of other important organizations such as the Media Council, the Stakeholders Committee of the Millennium Challenge Georgia Fund,and the Human Rights Monitoring Council of the Penitentiary and Detention Places.
Established in 1994, GYLA promotes higher standards for the legal profession and supports the professional development of law students and young lawyers in Georgia. GYLA's focus areas include promotion of rule of law, legal reform, developing legal education, building civil society networks, and advancing human rights. GYLA also provides free legal consultation and actively participates in drafting legislation.
Cassandra Cavanaugh, director of Central Eurasia Program advocacy and grants, introduced the event.