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The Tbilisi Office of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) successfully concluded the final phase of the KAS Academy of Political Education with a three-day event held in Yerevan, Armenia. Organized under the theme “Geopolitical Shifts in the Black Sea and South Caucasus: Power, Security, and Transformation,” the program brought together emerging young leaders, researchers, and practitioners from Georgia, Armenia, and beyond.
This concluding phase of the Academy focused on exploring the evolving strategic dynamics of the region, emphasizing Georgia’s role in broader regional transformation processes. Over the course of the intensive program, participants engaged in high-level discussions, expert-led sessions, and practical exercises addressing key issues such as regional security, global power competition, connectivity, and peace-building.
Expert Discussions on Strategic Issues
The event opened with a panel on regional security and the shifting geopolitical order in the South Caucasus, featuring contributions from leading experts including Prof. Dr. Kornely Kakachia (Tbilisi State University), Richard Giragosian (Regional Studies Center, Yerevan), and Giorgi Odoshashvili (Ilia State University). The panel examined the impact of unresolved conflicts, democratic backsliding, and the strategic recalibration of actors such as NATO and Russia in the region.
Subsequent sessions addressed the complexities of connectivity and interdependence, particularly the implications of energy transit, infrastructure development, and the prospects for an Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal. Participants also explored how global powers, including the European Union, the United States, China, and India - are shaping the South Caucasus' political and economic trajectories.
Scenario Planning and Simulation
A core component of the final phase was a scenario-building workshop, where participants worked in groups to develop and present future pathways for regional cooperation. With expert guidance, the groups considered possible peace scenarios, regional integration models inspired by European experiences (e.g., the Benelux Union), and the role of civic engagement in sustaining democratic resilience.
One of the highlights of the program was the geopolitical simulation exercise — the “South Caucasus Stability & Cooperation Council” — in which participants assumed the roles of regional actors and negotiated a multilateral cooperation pact amid evolving conditions and a simulated crisis. The exercise fostered critical thinking, negotiation skills, and practical understanding of diplomacy under pressure.
Commitment to Regional Dialogue
The KAS Academy of Political Education, an initiative of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung South Caucasus Office (KAS Georgia), continues to serve as a platform for advancing informed, critical, and constructive dialogue among young leaders and academics across the region. Through this program, KAS Georgia reaffirms its commitment to fostering democratic values, regional cooperation, and sustainable peace in the Black Sea–South Caucasus geopolitical space.
We extend our sincere thanks to all participants, speakers, and partners for their valuable contributions to the success of this event and their ongoing dedication to political education.
