Goals

Problem statement:

Despite living together for hundreds of years, ethnic Azerbaijanis are struggling to integrate with ethnic Georgian communities. Stereotypes, prejudices, that exist between these communities, prevents their successful integration, for them to better get to know each other, to be closer and become friends. Georgia is a homeland for us because we were born here, we grew up and we are going to work here. It is sad that often ethnic Georgians see us belonging to Azerbaijan, not to Georgia. Traditional, religious, and ethnic differences make it impossible for people of different origin to love each other. Ethnic Azerbaijanis feel alienated because we are seen as others, as different from them.

This issue has become a source of our inspiration: we want t show the ethnic differences in positive contexts. Showcasing intercultural love is one of the best ways to show that there is nothing dangerous and scary in communicating with each other, these couples differ from other couples, they are more tolerant and happier.

Proposed Solution:

Our goal is to show intercultural peace in order for people to learn and understand that nothing is dangerous and shameful in it. We will do that by featuring ethnic Azeri and Georgian couples to tell 5-minute stories about themselves. They will just tell about their relationship. We will have about 4-5 couples. One of the couples will be for example: Emilia Khalilova and Giorgi Mosidze.

There will be videos released on separate stories and we will also combine them to give it a similar look to a short film. These videos will be uploaded to social networks on Facebook and on YouTube. In addition, we would like to visit various regions and make presentations, and after we will have a discussion. The presentation locations are given above.

Sustainability:

We believe that these videos will receive positive feedback as they will show intercultural relationships from a different perspective and in a creative way. The audience will have positive, warm and emotional thoughts, and this initiative will help them overcome some stereotypes. At least the stereotype that it is not possible to marry a person with a different religion.

Equal gender opportunity:

Gender equality will be taken into account. Since we are going to feature couples, the female and male respondents will be equally involved. Moreover, we will try to give equal time to the male and female respondents and will make sure that the messages do not strengthen stereotypes and bias, unequal gender relations or similar.