On December 22, Open Society Georgia Foundation (OSGF) hosted an award ceremony of the competition held in commemoration of Tea Akhobadze: Drug Addiction in Georgia – Medical, Social and Cultural Aspects.
The competition, which aimed to pay a tribute to the memory of OSGF former employee Tea Akhobadze, was first announced in 2010. The competition was open for students of higher education institutions of Georgia pursuing their bachelor’s or master’s degree. The special commission of experts identified 13 best works of 70 applications submitted.
OSGF Executive Director Keti Khutsishvili made an opening speech at the event that brought together Tea’s family members, relatives, friends, representatives of the Georgian Harm Reduction Network, OSGF staff members and other guests.
Meeting participants shared their memories about Tea’s life and work with each other. They noted the contribution Tea had made to harm reduction and access to medicines programs.
Competition winners were awarded certificates. 1st and 2nd place winner Bachelor & Master students provided brief review of their works. They latter drew interest of Georgian Harm Reduction Network officials and other specialists who expressed desire to cooperate with the winners in the future.
The competition was important, not only as an opportunity to make students aware of Tea’s contribution to the cause, participants noted, but also as a means to encourage them to become more active, develop their writing and presentation skills and share with them the values Tea lived for during her brief but fruitful life.