Public
Engagement
EUAC Fellows Support Launch of Revived Information Centre on NATO and EU in Georgia
December 14, 2025
EUAC Fellows Tornike Parulava and Olga Spirandi participated in the official opening of the newly established Information Centre on NATO and EU in the historic city of Kutaisi. Their participation underscores a continued dedication to raising awareness about NATO and Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration, with a specific focus on debunking disinformation narratives spread by anti-Western propaganda.
The inauguration ceremony symbolically coincided with the two-year anniversary of Georgia being granted EU candidate status. Central to the event were two panel discussions that brought together the expert community, academics, and experienced specialists on NATO and EU matters, alongside representatives of diplomatic missions, journalists, and the general public.
EU Awareness Centre Participates in Human Rights Day Event in Vienna
December 10, 2025
On 10 December, the Chair of the EU Awareness Centre, Ambassador David Dondua, took part in a Human Rights Day event in Vienna, organised by Unlimited Democracy and the Paneuropean Movement Austria, under the patronage of Dr Gudrun Kugler, Member of the Austrian National Council. Deputies from four parliamentary parties, ÖVP, SPÖ, Neos and Greens, participated in the panel discussion.
The event highlighted one of the most devastating crimes of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine: the unlawful deportation, forced transfer, and ideological indoctrination of Ukrainian children from temporarily occupied territories. Experts, diplomats, human rights defenders, and members of parliament provided insights into the documented patterns of these abuses and the ongoing challenges of identifying, protecting, and returning the affected children.
A powerful testimony was delivered by a 19-year-old survivor from the Kherson region, who shared her personal experience of being held in a so-called “re-education” camp in Crimea.
The EU Awareness Centre was proud to contribute to this important discussion, standing in solidarity with Ukraine and all victims of Russia’s human rights violations.
EU Awareness Centre at the European Ideas Forum 2025
December 9-10, 2025
On 9–10 December 2025, the Executive Director of the EU Awareness Centre, Dr George Robakidze, participated in the European Ideas Forum 2025 (EIF 2025), a flagship event organised by the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies.
During the event, George Robakidze had the honour and pleasure of meeting Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament and a dear friend whose vision for Europe has always been inspiring.
EU Awareness Centre at the book Presentation of Looking at Women Looking at War
December 5, 2025
Chairman of the EU Awareness Centre, Ambassador David Dondua, attended a book presentation, “Looking at Women Looking at War,” a powerful collection of testimonies by Ukrainian women documenting their experiences during Russia’s full-scale invasion. The event was organised by the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe in Vienna.
The book was initiated by the distinguished Ukrainian writer Victoria Amelina, who was fatally wounded in a Russian missile attack in Kramatorsk in June 2023. Fully aware that writers, activists, and cultural figures were direct targets of Russian repression—as tragically reflected in Ukraine’s history of the “executed renaissance”—Amelina dedicated her final years to protecting and promoting Ukrainian culture. She founded a literature festival in the frontline town of New York, Donetsk region, and worked to ensure that Ukrainian voices would not be silenced again.
After her death, her unfinished manuscript was completed with the support of colleagues and friends. The event in Vienna featured Sasha Dovzhyk, Head of INDEX in Lviv, and Juri Durkot, journalist and translator from Lviv, in conversation with Sebastian Schäffer, Director of IDM.
The discussion underscored the crucial role of memory, documentation, and cultural resilience during war. For the EU Awareness Centre, participation in this event reflects our commitment to supporting Ukrainian voices, defending truth, and confronting the destructive force of Russian hybrid and military aggression across the region.
EU Awareness Centre at the IDM Conference “Shifting Narratives of Enlargement”
December 04, 2025
The Chairman of the EU Awareness Centre, Ambassador David Dondua, participated in the conference “Shifting Narratives of Enlargement” organised by the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe (IDM) on 4 December in Vienna.
The event brought together policymakers, diplomats, researchers, and civil society representatives to examine how the European Union can safeguard democracy, strengthen resilience, and maintain a citizen-focused approach to enlargement amid democratic backsliding and geopolitical uncertainty.
The programme included a research presentation on citizen-based EU reform, a keynote address from the European Commission, and a panel discussion addressing the legacy of the Dayton Peace Agreement, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EUSDR Presidency, and the impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine. Speakers explored how the EU can support reconciliation, avoid past mistakes, and advance both deepening and widening in parallel.
The discussions highlighted the urgent need for credible enlargement policies, stronger communication with citizens, and enhanced EU engagement in its neighbouring regions—key priorities closely aligned with the mission of the EU Awareness Centre.
Citizens’ Juror for the European Capital of Democracy (ECoD)
December 3, 2025
The EU Awareness Centre is proud to announce that our Chairman, David Dondua, has been selected as a Citizens’ Juror for the European Capital of Democracy (ECoD) initiative and the Innovation in Politics Awards 2026.
His participation in these Europe-wide juries, alongside thousands of citizens committed to strengthening democratic resilience, reflects our organisation’s values and mission. As a Juror, he will help evaluate innovative political projects and contribute to promoting democratic progress across Europe.
We congratulate David on this recognition and appreciate his continued commitment to advancing democratic values.
EU Awareness Centre at the Erhard Busek Ambassador Talks: “Moldova goes Europe”
November 20, 2025
On 20 November 2025, the Chair of the EU Awareness Centre, David Dondua, took part in the Erhard Busek Ambassador Talks titled “Moldova goes Europe: Challenges and Opportunities on the Way to Secure Democracy.” The event, hosted by the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe (IDM) in Vienna, featured H.E. Victoria Roșa, Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to Austria, in conversation with Sebastian Schäffer, IDM’s Director.
The discussion offered a comprehensive overview of Moldova’s evolving European trajectory, taking place at a pivotal moment following the 2025 parliamentary elections, the 2024 presidential election, and the consolidation of Moldova’s democratic commitments under significant geopolitical pressure.
EU Awareness Centre at the First EU Enlargement Forum
November 18, 2025
On 18 of November Dr George Robakidze, Executive Director of the EU Awareness Centre, took part in the First EU Enlargement Forum, the European Commission’s flagship initiative to reinvigorate public engagement with EU enlargement as a shared European project. The Forum, central to the Commission’s 2024–2029 strategic vision, gathered senior EU officials, policymakers, civil society representatives, and experts to discuss the future of an enlarged and more resilient Union.
This high-level event emphasised the growing consensus that enlargement is essential for strengthening Europe’s stability, security, economic competitiveness, and democratic resilience. With the EU now pursuing its most ambitious enlargement agenda in over a decade, the Forum underscored that the prospect of a larger Union is no longer a distant aspiration but a near-term political reality.
EU Awareness Centre Participates in the 29th European Forum Vienna
November 6-7, 2025
On November 6–7, 2025, the Chair of the EU Awareness Centre, David Dondua, participated in the 29th European Forum Vienna, held at the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna under the theme “Europe’s New Responsibility.” The event, organised by the Austrian Institute for European and Security Policy (AIES) in cooperation with the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, brought together leading policymakers, experts, and diplomats to discuss Europe’s evolving role amid growing security challenges.
The discussions were highly informative and thought-provoking, focusing on Europe’s defence, its responsibilities, and the geopolitical implications of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Among the distinguished participants were Viktor Yushchenko, former President of Ukraine; Wolfgang Schüssel, former Chancellor of Austria; Mikuláš Dzurinda, former Prime Minister of Slovakia and President of the Wilfried Martens Centre; Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner (2004-2010) and Volodimir Ohryzko, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.
The keynote address by President Yushchenko was compelling, urging Europe to assume greater responsibility and unity in defending democratic values—a message that deeply resonated with the audience.
Vienna Dialogue 2025: Moldova’s Democratic Resilience
November 6, 2025
On November 6, 2025, representatives from Moldova and Austria gathered in Vienna for the Vienna Dialogue 2025, a high-level strategic event that highlighted Moldova’s successful defence of its September 2025 parliamentary elections against unprecedented Russian disinformation and interference.
The dialogue, organised by the Moldova4EU Diaspora Task Force, brought together Moldovan officials, civil society leaders, media representatives, and international partners to reflect on Moldova’s resilience and continued progress toward European integration.
The event featured a keynote address by Ambassador Pamela Hyde Smith, former U.S. Ambassador to Moldova, and presentations from leading Moldovan experts on institutional, media, and diaspora-led efforts to protect democracy in the face of hybrid threats.
David Dondua, Chair of the EU Awareness Centre, attended the dialogue and congratulated Moldovan friends and colleagues on their country’s democratic transformation and remarkable progress on the path to EU integration. He also praised the Moldovan diaspora for its essential role in strengthening democratic resilience and connecting Moldova’s civic energy with the wider European community.
Crossroads of Peace 2025: Armenia’s Regional Transformation in Focus
November 3, 2025
On 3 November 2025, senior policymakers, diplomats, and experts gathered in Brussels for the Crossroads of Peace 2025 Conference, a high-level strategic event organised by Rasmussen Global in partnership with the Government of Armenia. The dialogue highlighted Armenia’s progress following the initialling of a historic peace treaty with Azerbaijan at the August Washington Summit. It explored how Europe and international partners can help consolidate this new momentum.
The conference brought together representatives from EU institutions, member states, international financial institutions, civil society, and the private sector to assess how the Crossroads of Peace initiative can advance regional connectivity, stability, and long-term economic opportunities. Keynote remarks by Armen Grigoryan, Secretary of Armenia’s Security Council, reaffirmed Armenia’s commitment to regional normalisation, democratic resilience, and deeper cooperation with the European Union.
Executive Director George Robakidze and Research Fellow Salome Toliashvili represented the EU Awareness Centre at the event. In his comments, George Robakidze welcomed Armenia’s European aspirations and peace efforts, praising the country’s determination to strengthen democratic institutions, expand regional cooperation, and move toward a more stable and prosperous future.
Strategic priorities for the EU’s enlargement policy: a conversation with the Director-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood and candidate country Ambassadors
October 23, 2025
Executive Director George Robakidze attended the CEPS high-level discussion “Strategic priorities for the EU’s enlargement policy: a conversation with the Director-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood and candidate country Ambassadors”, held in Brussels on October 23, 2025. The event took place ahead of the publication of the European Commission’s annual enlargement package and examined how EU enlargement can reinforce Europe’s security, prosperity, and geopolitical resilience.
The discussion brought together Gert Jan Koopman, Director-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood, and the ambassadors of Montenegro, Albania, Moldova, Kosovo, and the Deputy Ambassador of Ukraine. Speakers outlined their countries’ strategic priorities for joining the EU and discussed how the pre-accession process can better respond to shared strategic interests in the current geopolitical context.
In his comments, George Robakidze stressed that it was “heartbreaking not to see the Georgian Ambassador standing alongside colleagues at this important forum,” noting that the Georgian government has turned away from its European path. He emphasised that the Georgian people have been protesting for over 300 days in defence of their European future. George Robakidze urged EU representatives not to give up on Georgia and to remain steadfast in their support for the Georgian people in their fight for democracy and European integration.
EU Awareness Centre at Paneuropa Ukraine Conference, 10–11 October 2025.
October 10-11, 2025
The Chairman of the EU Awareness Centre, David Dondua, took part in the 5th Paneuropa Ukraine Conference “United Europe: Time for Subjectivity and Action,” held in Chernivtsi, Ukraine, on 10–11 October 2025.
Over two days, participants discussed the most pressing issues concerning Ukraine’s and Europe’s security. David Dondua spoke at the panel “Europe’s Eastern Border and Future Relations with (Post-)Russia.”
His main message was that Europe’s eastern border is not merely a geographical line but a political and moral frontier — one that defines the future of the entire continent. He emphasised that supporting Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, and Armenia is not an act of generosity but an investment in a stable and peaceful Europe. Dondua also warned that, alongside its brutal war in Ukraine, the Kremlin is waging a multidimensional hybrid campaign against Europe itself — using disinformation, cyberattacks, and political subversion to weaken democracies from within. In this struggle, every country matters — large or small, NATO member or EU candidate — because if one falls, others will follow.
Conversation with Oleksandra Matviichuk at the Kreisky Forum
June 17, 2025
The Chairman of the EU Awareness Centre, Ambassador David Dondua, attended the panel discussion “Justice as Weapon” at the Kreisky Forum for International Dialogue in Vienna, featuring Tessa Szyszkowitz in conversation with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk. The discussion focused on documenting Russian war crimes in Ukraine, including atrocities against women, and highlighted efforts to bring perpetrators to justice through initiatives such as the ‘Tribunal for Putin.’ The event provided a platform to explore the role of law, human rights, and civil society in promoting accountability and democratic resilience in Ukraine. Participants also addressed the challenges of documenting violations in conflict zones and the importance of international support for Ukraine’s democratic institutions.
EUAC’s presence underscored its commitment to promoting informed dialogue on European security, justice, and human rights.
The EU Awareness Centre at the Brussels Forum
June 11-12, 2025
On 11–12 June 2025, the Chair of the EU Awareness Centre’s Board of Directors, Ambassador David Dondua, together with the Executive Director, Dr. George Robakidze, took part in the 20th edition of the Brussels Forum — the flagship transatlantic conference organised annually by the German Marshall Fund of the United States.
The Forum brought together senior policymakers, diplomats, experts, and civil-society leaders to discuss how transatlantic cooperation can respond to evolving global challenges, including the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as broader pressures on democracy, economic stability, and technological security. The participation of the EU Awareness Centre’s leadership underscored the organisation’s commitment to contributing to these critical debates and advancing democratic resilience across Europe.
Executive Director of the EU Awareness Centre, George Robakidze, Speaks at Strategic Panel on Defending Democracy in Eastern Europe
May 13, 2025
On May 13, 2025, the Executive Director of the EU Awareness Centre, Dr George Robakidze, participated in a high-profile panel discussion titled “Why the EU Needs to Act Now to Defend Democracy in Eastern Europe” co-organised by JEF Brussels, Promote Georgia, and Students of Liberty, featuring speakers from the European Parliament, Diplomatic Corps and think-tanks.
The discussion examined the ongoing political crises in Georgia, Moldova, and Romania, focusing on the internal political strife, Russia’s malicious influence and strategies, the significance of civil society, and how recent events are reshaping and potentially affecting the EU’s position in the region.
The EU Awareness Centre warmly thanks JEF Brussels, Students For Liberty, and Promote Georgia for the excellent organisation of the panel discussion. We deeply appreciate dedication of these organisations to fostering open dialogue, strengthening democratic values, and promoting a united European future.
Panel Discussion at Central European University - From Beacon of Democracy to Illiberal Orbit: Georgia’s Uncertain Future
March 12, 2025
On 12 March 2025, the Chair of the EU Awareness Centre’s Board of Directors, Amb. David Dondua, took part in a high-level panel at Central European University in Vienna, marking 100 days of pro-democracy protests in Georgia. The discussion explored Georgia’s political challenges following the 2024 elections and the broader implications for the region. Amb. Dondua underlined the resilience of Georgia’s European identity and the urgent need for international support in defending democracy. The EU Awareness Centre thanks CEU’s Political Science Department for hosting this timely and impactful event.
“Democracy lives through participation — when people withdraw, it begins to die”
