Georgian Muskie Fellow Named Minister of Environment of Georgia

David Tkeshelashvili had ambitious goals for his participation in the Muskie Graduate Fellowship Program.  A Georgian citizen who served as a Member of Parliament from 1995-2006, Mr. Tkeshelashvili hoped to convert the education and experiences he would gain during the program into “transferable skills applicable in Georgia,” so that he could “return to governance in a more active and more visible role.” Mr. Tkeshelashvili, who completed his Master of Laws (LLM) degree from Emory University in May, has certainly taken on a more visible role since completing the fellowship. In July, he was confirmed by Parliament as the Minister of Environment Protection and Natural Resources of Georgia.

After being elected to Parliament at the age of 25, Mr. Tkeshelashvili engaged primarily in work related to human rights and nongovernmental organizations, while also serving as a member of the Budget and Finance Committee. In 2003, Mr. Tkeshelashvili was part of the leadership of the “Rose Revolution,” which he describes as “the greatest experience in my life—being a part of a team making real changes in Georgia.” Following the revolution Mr. Tkeshelashvili says that he decided to apply for the Muskie Program “in order to fill the gaps in (his) education.”

As a Muskie Fellow at Emory University, Mr. Tkeshelashvili concentrated on International Law, taking courses in International Human Rights law, Law of International Institutions, and Law of Democracy. He was also extremely active in his community, engaging in projects that created partnerships between Georgians and Americans. These activities included working with the Atlanta-Tbilisi Sister City Partnership to organize a visit of the Tbilisi City council to Atlanta, and collaborating with Emory faculty on joint projects with the Ministries of Education, Agriculture, and Health of Georgia.

For his internship Mr. Tkeshelashvili, engaged in various activities, including receiving training at the Human Rights Program of the Carter Center, teaming with Emory Law School on issues related to judicial reform in Georgia, and partnering with the Director of the Halle Institute of Global Learning to establish a special relationship between Emory and Georgia, which would open the way for collaborative research and faculty and student exchanges.

Mr. Tkeshelashvili expresses gratitude to the US Department of State, Emory University, and IREX for the opportunity to study as a Muskie Fellow.  He says that the "kindness and warmth of the great American people was the biggest and most pleasant surprise” for him during his program in the United States. Most importantly, during his time in the United States Mr. Tkeshelashvili gained a new perspective on Georgia and a renewed dedication to helping write the next chapter of Georgian history.

Just a month into his new post, Mr. Tkeshelashvili has already identified concrete goals for greater environmental protection in Georgia. His priorities are reforming the forestry system, improving waste and water management, decreasing air pollution, and enhancing the management of natural resources. Mr. Tkeshelashvili is ready to put his ideas, experience, and new perspective into action.