OLEG began as a student endeavor in Spring 2008 lead by students Nini Aduashvili, a native of Georgia, and Noel Brockett of St. John’s College, Annapolis, MD. That summer, it conducted its first Summer Program. Four students and one professor traveled from St. John’s to hold a one-week workshop in Tbilisi. The success of this program had a wonderful effect on both institutions. New Gelati’s enrollment doubled in one year. The St. John’s students started the Qartuli Club as a way to introduce fellow students to Georgian culture. All of the students and faculty from both institutions reported personal growth experiences which you can read about here.

In January 2009, OLEG took the next step in its development when it applied for 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. Now, an official organization, OLEG began to expand. It’s second annual summer program grew to forty participants, with thirteen students and one professor traveling from St. John’s College. The three-week trip included workshops for the New Gelati faculty and a week of cultural immersion for the St. John’s students and faculty. In addition to its summer program, a new initiative in the summer of 2009 focused on healing the societal tensions remaining from the crisis between South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Georgia.  In its “New Conversation for Peace in Caucasus” project, made possible by a $10,000 grant from the Davis Projects for Peace Foundation, OLEG advised a two-week program for youth (ages 16-24) affected by the region’s conflicts.  The program used conversations based on classroom discussion methods adopted from St. John’s College and Touchstones Discussion Project, to encourage the youth to develop their own perspectives and voices.  The project reached 30 people and led to the implementation of Peace Projects by 18 of the youth in their home communities.

Seeking to continue strengthening liberal education in Georgia and creating strengthening connections between the U.S. and Georgia, OLEG is expanding its 2010 programs. First, it is planning to continue its successful summer workshops with its 2010 Summer Program. These programs remain crucial to expanding New Gelati’s program and enrollment. This upcoming fall, OLEG plans to strengthen the relationship between the St. John’s community and New Gelati by hosting a Georgian Faculty Visit to St. John’s for a week in September. For more information about our programs and upcoming projects, please, do not hesitate to contact us.