Resilient Activism: Unraveling the Complexities of Student Protests in Post-Soviet Georgia

• In Event: Politics and activism in higher education in Eurasia

Proposal

The significance of student protests in Georgia's history is of utmost significance. Given Georgia's geopolitical location and its past experience with Soviet imperialism, numerous protests in the country, including those led by students, have historically revolved around themes related to gaining or preserving independence, asserting national identity, and opposing wars. However, over the past 15 years, a profound shift has occurred in the focus and dynamics of student protests, with an increasing emphasis on social issues.

Since 2011, student protests in Georgia have been primarily directed towards matters concerning the quality of education, accessibility, university autonomy, academic freedom, and student housing. This protests inspired two student movements “Laboratory 1918” in 2011, “Auditorium 115,” in 2016 and “Fight for Education” in 2022. This substantial change in the protest agenda can be attributed to several factors, including the transitional period the country Georgia has been undergoing, successive changes in government leadership, the implementation of non-systemic reforms across various domains, the impact of the pandemic, and ongoing regional conflicts and geopolitical shifts. In addition to these driving forces mentioned earlier, it can be seen as a manifestation of the students' critical consciousness, understanding that their struggles for an improved educational system are intricately linked with larger societal goals of social justice and equity.

The evolving nature of student protests in Georgia reflects a deeper societal transformation, wherein students have recognized the importance of addressing pressing social concerns within the realm of education. The demonstrations now center on demanding improvements in the educational system, broadening access to higher education, safeguarding academic independence, and ensuring adequate housing provisions for students. This shift in protest aligns with Freire's emphasis on “conscientization” and “dialogue” as instruments of change. Student protests have increasingly directed their attention towards social issues within the realm of education. This transformation reflects students' growing awareness of their agency and the recognition of the interconnectedness of educational challenges with broader societal concerns.

The paper aims to comprehensively explore the evolving nature of student protests in Georgia, considering historical significance, social shifts, and factors driving the change.
It analyzes how student-led movements have shifted focus towards social issues in education, reflecting growing critical consciousness and sense of agency.
The paper poses the university as site of contestation and examines the impact on education policies, institutional autonomy, and societal transformation, emphasizing the importance of addressing pressing social concerns within the realm of education.
The paper serves as a self-reflective perspective from the authors, centering on their lived experiences as sisters engaged in student movements since 2011. Conversely, as external researchers, the paper offers a retrospective analysis on subject matter.

Authors

• Sopiko Beriashvili, The Brookings Institution

• Helen Beriashvili, Tbilisi state University