Professor Jeffrey LAZARUS: “EU citizens receive excellent and usually free healthcare, but it's very unstandardized”

31.03.2025. (Caucasian Journal)  Healthcare, a subject of a pressing public concern, has been underrepresented in the Caucasian Journal. Today, we address this by interviewing Jeffrey LAZARUS, Professor of Global Health at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) and the Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York (CUNY SPH), whose career bridges Europe and North America. 

As Georgia navigates its European aspirations, we discuss the potential benefits of various healthcare systems and what joining the EU could mean for the health and well-being of the Georgian people.

▶ ქართულად: The Georgian version is here.

Alexander KAFFKA, editor-in-chief of Caucasian Journal: Dear Jeff [if I may], welcome to Caucasian Journal and thank you for your attention to our readers. If you were the main decision-maker responsible for the healthcare sector in an EU candidate country like Georgia, what future strategy would you choose? Would you adopt an existing model from another EU country, combine several models, or create a new one from scratch?

Jeffrey LAZARUS: My main message would be to focus on having a strong primary care system with a gatekeeper system of general practitioners or family doctors and then a strong network of specialists. General practitioners should be in the community, easy to access, and - something the EU is not so good at - there should also be easier telehealth like video access for consultation, so one does not always have to go to an office to see their primary care provider. 

Lasha BREGVADZE: "The Georgian criminal subculture originated from people dedicated to the liberation of their country"

23.03.2025 (Caucasian Journal). Today we are discussing quite a critical theme – the problem of organized crime – with one of the best experts in this field, Dr. Lasha BREGVADZE, the Head of the Organized Crime and Law Enforcement Research Center at Georgian Strategic Analysis Center. 

Alexander KAFFKA, editor-in-chief of Caucasian Journal:  Dear Lasha, thank you for your time. Organized crime is a troubling issue, but that should not deter us from addressing it. On the contrary, we must do so. International media reports frequently highlight Georgian involvement, we hear about deportations, and other related matters. I hope you will shed light on these topics for our readers. To start, I have a question: How did you become so deeply invested in this subject, leading to your dissertation?

Lasha BREGVADZE:  I was only 22 years old during the Rose Revolution of 2003.  That's when I was integrated into the law enforcement agencies. It was a tough time for Georgia. I was initially appointed as an investigator for special cases at the Ministry of Security, which was the name of the organization at the time. Later, I was transferred to the General Inspectorate of the Ministry of Justice, where I took on the role of Head of the Financial Audit Division.

Maestro Usui TOSHIKI: "I am absorbing the beautiful sounds from Georgia like oxygen"

19.03.2025 (Caucasian Journal). The Caucasian Journal is honored to welcome Maestro Usui TOSHIKI, an internationally acclaimed Japanese pianist often described as a "cultural bridge" between Japan and Georgia. Beyond his virtuosic performances, Usui serves as general manager of the Yokohama and Omi Sinfoniettas.

Alexander KAFFKA, editor-in-chief of Caucasian Journal:  Dear Usui-san, welcome to Caucasian Journal. First of all, I must say that I attended your performance in Tbilisi last year and became your fan. Thank you for your art! I was intrigued, however, to learn you are an honorary citizen of Sighnaghi, a small but extremely picturesque town in Eastern Georgia. Can you share the story behind this connection, to start our conversation?

Usui TOSHIKI: Thank you very much. It has been almost 10 years since I first visited Georgia. During my second visit, I went to the city of Sighnaghi. My first impression of it was that it was a perfect city, with traditional architecture, rich nature, and wonderful wine and food. Since then, every time I visit Georgia, I have had wonderful times visiting many wineries in Sighnaghi and holding concerts. 

Video: Watch our international Nordic Talk on education

26.02.2025 (Caucasian Journal). Last month, the Caucasian Journal hosted our third Nordic Talk, engaging participants from Armenia, Georgia, and the Nordic countries. You can learn more about the event here. We are now pleased to share the final video, available in English with Georgian and Armenian subtitles. 

The video is divided into two parts: Part 1 focuses on inclusive primary education, and Part 2 covers higher and professional education.

▶ ქართულად: Videos subtitled in Georgian are here.

▶ Հայերեն: Videos subtitled in Armenian are here.

What is a Nordic Talk? It is a series of live talks and podcasts addressing the biggest global challenges, organized internationally with the support of the Nordic Council of Ministers.

This Nordic Talk discussed how to benefit from the experience of Nordic partners in the field of education, focusing on the highly successful Nordic education model. As Georgia and Armenia take steps towards closer European integration, the importance of Western education models continues to grow. Georgia and Armenia have cooperated with Nordic countries, including in education. We examined the cooperation projects involving the Nordic countries, Georgia, and Armenia as case studies.

The discussion is now available in original (see below) and with subtitles in Armenian and Georgian.

To be the first to view all our exclusive video interviews, please subscribe here to our YouTube Channel.

Toyota: Weaving the Future from Mount Fuji to the Caucasus

30.01.2025 (Caucasian Journal). In the summer of 2019, the Caucasian Journal was excited to publish a detailed article about a groundbreaking plan to start producing the first electric cars in the Caucasus region. The first Georgia-made electric vehicles (EVs) were expected to roll out of the plant in Kutaisi in December 2019, but unfortunately, this did not happen. Since then, environmental challenges in our region and potential "green" solutions have remained a priority for us.

Meanwhile, the environmental situation in the region has continued to deteriorate, primarily due to the growing automotive fleet. The transport sector is the largest source of CO2 emissions, accounting for 40 percent of total energy-related CO2 emissions, according to a recent report of the International Energy Agency. 

Toyota Woven City. Image: Toyota

The Georgia Alliance for Safe Roads, a non-governmental organization, has emphasized that the issue extends beyond fuel distribution and poses risks to human health. It seems vital to shift to less carbon-intensive modes of transport, particularly electric and other alternatively powered vehicles.

▶ ქართულად: The Georgian version is here.

Can Technology Help?

What alternatives do Georgia—and the South Caucasus in general—have in the near future to improve the environment and ensure healthier conditions for its people? 

Inger ENKVIST: “We have for a long time lived on the results of our past very high educational standards” (watch video or read)

27.01.2025 (Caucasian Journal). Is it possible to "import" the Nordic education model? What are the strengths and weaknesses of European education? How does EU membership affect national education policies? 

These are some of the questions that we are discussing today with Inger ENKVIST, Professor Emerita from the Lund University in Sweden. Professor Enkvist is a distinguished Swedish educator and writer, one of the most renowned commentators on education policies, and an expert in Spanish literature. 

▶ ქართულად: The Georgian version is here.

To be the first to view exclusive interviews, please subscribe here to our YouTube Channel

The full text version of the interview is below:

Nordic Education Cooperation with Georgia & Armenia: A new Nordic Talk by Caucasian Journal

15.01.2025 (Caucasian Journal). Since its inception in 2019, our journal has placed a strong emphasis on the education sector. As Georgia and Armenia take steps towards closer European integration, the importance of Western education models continues to grow. This time, we aim to explore Nordic education by examining cooperation projects involving the Nordic countries, Georgia, and Armenia as case studies. This is the focus of our upcoming Nordic Talk—a free online discussion scheduled for January 23 and 24. 

You are welcome to join our two Zoom sessions (invite links are provided below).

Previously, our journal successfully organized the first Georgia-Norway Nordic Talk in 2021, focusing on university education in clean energy, and another in 2022 involving Georgia, Armenia, Norway, and Sweden on waste management. 

Our new Nordic Talk will consist of two Zoom sessions with open attendance:

How to Make Maximum of Nordic Experience in Education? Case of Nordic Cooperation with Georgia and Armenia

Talk I: Primary education, with a focus on inclusivity.

January 23, 13:30 Tbilisi and Yerevan time /  10:30 Oslo and Stockholm time

How to attend:   Zoom link; Facebook event link

Luigi FASSI: "The Georgian art is gaining visibility at a European level"

❄ Wishing our readers a joyous holiday season ❄ 

25.12.2024. (Caucasian Journal)  From time to time the Caucasian Journal highlights the contemporary art scene, particularly visual arts. Our focus is consistently tied to the South Caucasus region and its connections to the global art community. How well-known are Georgian artists in Europe? Are Georgians finding it easier to connect with European audiences?

Today, we are pleased to welcome a very special guest who can offer insights from the perspective of European curators: Luigi FASSI, Director of Artissima, Italy’s largest international contemporary art fair, which has been held in Turin since 1994. The most recent Artissima, which took place last month, featured participation from Georgia.

▶ ქართულად: The Georgian version is here.

▶ Հայերեն: The Armenian version is here.

Alexander KAFFKA, editor-in-chief of Caucasian Journal: Welcome to Caucasian Journal! Can you provide us with some examples of contemporary Georgian art you are familiar with?

Jens-Hinrich BINDER: “New European member states accede to a state-of-the-art set of financial regulations” (watch video or read)

17.12.2024 (Caucasian Journal). It's a pleasure for us today to welcome Jens-Hinrich BINDER, Professor of Law at Eberhard Karls University in Tübingen (Germany), where he holds a chair in Private, Commercial and Corporate Law. 

It's a rare opportunity to discuss European financial regulation and its relevance to the general public in EU candidate countries.

▶ ქართულად: The Georgian version is here.

▶ Հայերեն: The Armenian version is here.

To be the first to view exclusive interviews, please subscribe here to our YouTube Channel

The full text version of the interview is below:

A Wave of Dissent by Georgia's Elite May Trigger a Domino Effect

01.12.2024 (Caucasian Journal). Georgia's political landscape is witnessing a significant transformation as key institutions and businesses increasingly distance themselves from the ruling regime. Several major organizations, including banks and telecommunications providers, have condemned the government's recent decision to postpone EU accession talks until 2028. President Salome Zourabichvili deemed the parliament illegitimate and proclaimed herself the country’s only legitimate authority. 

Experts warn that this situation could trigger a domino effect that may weaken the regime's foundation.

Key institutions and companies that have expressed dissent include: 

Banking Sector: The Bank of Georgia and TBC Bank, the two largest banks in the country, have publicly expressed their opposition to the government's decision. The statement from the Bank of Georgia emphasizes "For the Bank of Georgia, whose name bears a special weight, there is no alternative to the country’s road towards Eurointegration. On the way to Europe — don’t stop!"

Telecommunications: Magti and Silknet, the leading internet providers, have condemned the government's actions and reaffirmed their commitment to European integration. Silknet condemned the "violence against peaceful protesters," stating, "We believe that Georgia should maintain its constitutional order and remain in the European space. Refusing this path equates to rejecting freedom, progress, and the future." The other major telecom company, Magti, issued a similar statement earlier.