Ambassador Bass Presents Awards to IDP Kids

February 23, 2010

Ambassador Bass presented awards to 20 internally displaced children.

Ambassador Bass presented awards to 20 internally displaced children, finalists of a painting and essay competition sponsored by the Media Development Fund (MDF) under a U.S. Embassy Democracy Commission small grant.  The finalists also participated in a week-long "Democracy Tour" in Tbilisi, where they visited important Georgian Government institutions such as the Supreme Court and the Parliament, and visited the Moambe news studio at Georgian Public Broadcaster.  In comments to the media, Ambassador Bass expressed his empathy for the children, expressed his hopes that their future lives be in a peaceful and stable Georgia, and that they have the courage to overcome challenges and become active citizens working for a better future for their country.  Finalists were selected from almost 300 submissions, and the winning essays and paintings were published in a small book, "Life after War."  The grant to MDF was awarded by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy under a special post-conflict call to foster rehabilitation and civic integration of IDP youth through art and community activities.