Mate Demetrashvili

Go Group/Eyewitness Reporting Studio

GO Group was established in 2009 as a non-governmental organisation by a group of enthusiastic professional journalists and editors. We work mainly in Georgia and the South Caucasus region. Our mission is to facilitate a deeper and more informed dialogue within society and particular within the regions outside the capitals, which lack the leaders to voice local concerns. Journalism is a good tool to accomplish this goal, and it works best when it is enriched by the perspectives of ordinary people, who can offer real practical insights to public debate. We are developing a network of ‘eyewitness' video and print journalists across the region, together with actively involved ‘resident reporters' from the general public. These individuals can work together as a ‘rapid reaction force' to provide information based on local knowledge as an alternative to mainstream reporting. The GO Group's key targets are: • To create greater opportunities for ordinary members of society, including members of minority groups, to respond to new realities and play a more active role in decision-making in the region and beyond • To help societies afflicted by violence to understand the long-term benefits of a peace-building process • To soothe tensions between different communities in the Caucasus, which are often exacerbated by a lack of reliable information Our work is based on supporting people to people contacts between communities, including those in regions divided by conflicts, in order to explore common points of understanding on the key problems and issues. We see as important action identification of, and support to, new civil leaders, especially in the regions. We believe that this process will contribute towards the development of good governance more generally, towards greater inclusiveness of regional and minorities voices and towards a more stable and peaceful environment in the region.