Promoting IDPs' and Women's Voices in Post-Conflict Georgia

Political FactorsMany elements of the political environment in Georgia affect the quality of IDP participation inpolicymaking that concerns their needs and interests. These factors range from the overall political willof government agencies and representatives, to rhetoric around the peace process, to internationalinfluence. While in many respects political factors represent significant barriers to more inclusivegovernance, there are several opportunities that offer improvement.Political Will to Include IDPs in PolicymakingThe Georgian authorities continue to affirm that IDP issues are a national priority and that IDPs musthave access to the three internationally recognized durable solutions for displaced persons. 412 Thequestion of political will to involve IDPs in the process of enabling and implementing these options,however, is a delicate one without a simple answer.The current political climate in Georgia is not highly conducive to greater IDP inclusion in national-levelpolitics. Georgia will be holding its first national elections in four years in September 2012 amidcontinuing economic difficulties and growing public frustration over social issues and level of democracyin the country. However, overall public approval exists for the current government. 413 The ruling partycontinues to prioritize economic liberalization over social policy, including that which addresses IDPs’social and economic needs. 414Georgian policy as written provides for IDP participation in decision-making around their needs andinterests (generally in the form of consultation); however, we have seen that in practice directparticipation of IDPs is low. There is no consensus on the extent to which the Georgian government, theprimary duty-bearer toward IDPs, is interested in substantively and systematically including IDPs inpolicymaking. Some stakeholders interviewed were very negative on this issue; others were content thatthe government is genuinely interested in improving the process but lacks capacity or understanding ofhow to do it effectively. Internationals tend to believe that the government does indeed possess the willto involve IDPs but continues to have limited capacity to do so; IDPs interviewed have tended to bemore mixed in their opinions on whether political will capacity play a bigger role. 415 Interviews suggestthat IDPs and IDP advocates feel that the government involves more IDPs in decision-making to avoidgetting complaints later, not necessarily out of wanting to promote a democratic process. 416 A balancedassessment shows that political will plays a complicated role as one of the constellation of factorsinfluencing IDP participation in policymaking.412 Brookings. “Responsibility to Response,” 183.413 National Democratic Institute, Georgia.414 Lincoln Mitchell, Personal Interview.415 Stan Veitsman, Personal Interview; Nana Sumbadze, Personal Interview.416 Eka Gvalia, Personal Interview.79