During non-elections period The Center of Electoral Systems Development, Reforms and Training shifted its priorities towards the implementation of civic education programs. A new project, Students’ Debate Club, designed by the Training Center, is to be noted in this respect. This project will promote increasing electoral culture among young voters – students, enhancement of their knowledge of electoral law and their active involvement in electoral processes.

The goal of the Students’ Debate Club Project is to support increased civic awareness and culture of students, enhancement of students’ interest towards electoral processes, development of their professional skills; this is designed to be achieved via the development of quick thinking skills as well as skills of taking team decisions in short time, mastering a role of a speaker and developing the skills of defending own stance.

Based on the above-mentioned, the meeting with the students involved in the Students’ Debate Club Project was held on May 28, 2015, at the Training Center. Law students of the Tbilisi universities taking in a current semester a course in electoral law organized by the Training Center participate In this project. Team of each university is represented by four persons. At the meeting, based on the casting of lots, the contesting groups were staffed and debate issues were allocated. The following was identified based on the casting of lots:

On the issue: “A citizen should be granted active suffrage from the age of 16” Caucasus International University and Sulkhan Saba Orbeliani Teaching University will hold a debate.

On the topic: “Gender quota should be mandatory in party lists” Guram Tavartkiladze Teaching University and the Training Center Law Clinic Students will hold a debate.

Spring Session of Students’ Debate Club Project will be held in two stages:

Semi-finals -- where 2-2 teams will be contesting. The goal of semi-final is to identify two best teams;

Final – where 2 winning teams of the semi-final will be contesting. The goal of the final is to identify a winning team.