Ms. Mariam Turmanidze is a member of the U.S. Government Exchange Program Alumni Association of Georgia. She was an Acting Chairperson of EPAG for two years and currently serves as an Advisory Board Chairperson. Ms. Turmanidze studied Public Policy and Government Leadership at the University of Massachusetts and Georgetown University. She works for the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia and has a strong interest in and commitment to mediation.

Interviewed by Zorica Trajkova Strezovska 

EPAG  - Connecting Brilliant Minds

Zorica (MAAA): Ms. Turmanidze, you have played an active role in EPAG since 2020, first as an Executive board member (in 2020), then two years as an Acting Chairperson of the association (in 2021/2022) and as of this year, as an Advisory Board Chairperson. Could you please give our readers some more information about your organization, its membership and activities? 

Mariam (EPAG): First, let me thank you for giving me an opportunity to talk about our association. If I am expected to be very brief while explaining what EPAG stands for, I would just use its motto: Connecting Brilliant Minds! However, let me tell you a bit more about us below.

US Government Exchange Program Alumni Association of Georgia (EPAG) is a non-governmental, noncommercial entity uniting alumni of 25 US Government-funded exchange  programs. It currently boasts about 1300 registered members. EPAG was originally established as the Muskie Alumni Association of Georgia (MAAG) in 2004. Later, in 2013, to increase sustainability of the association, boost its capacity and increase its impact, the MAAG Board made a strategic decision to expand membership and open the doors to alumni from all other US Government-funded programs. To reflect this pivotal change, the Association changed its name to EPAG. As EPAG we became members of the European Network of American Alumni Associations (ENAM).

The main goal of the Association is to build a professional network of likeminded, western educated professionals. In addition, EPAG provides a forum for intellectual collaboration and social interaction, enhanced employment and consultancy opportunities, optimized opportunities for donor funding through joint projects, and facilitated access to decision makers  for advocacy purposes.  The mission of EPAG is to engage in a variety of activities that contribute to sustaining an active civil society in the country by sharing experience,  consultancy, research, development, advocacy, and promoting community based initiatives.

EPAG is governed by Executive Board (of 15 EPAG members) led by the Chairperson. Association has also Advisory Board (of 5 EPAG members). Alumni of any USG funded programs are eligible to become members of EPAG by filling out the Association membership form. EPAG membership is free.

Zorica (MAAA): What EPAG activities would you say were the most successful ones while you were a chairperson? How did you manage to actively involve the members in these activities?

Mariam (EPAG): The most successful activities/programs established during my time as a chairperson in EPAG (these programs also became permanent EPAG programs), are the following:

-          EPAG Mentorship Program: Through this program, university students are having an opportunity to have personal mentors throughout one semester, who will guide them in the chosen profession or help to expand their knowledge toward a profession of their interest. Mentors help students to acquire sufficient skills for employment in relevant field of study/interest. In the scope of this program EPAG signed memoranda with around 12 public and private universities in Georgia. Mentors are members of EPAG and they do the job voluntarily, which also allows them to stay involved in the EPAG community. Each cohort of the Mentorship Program boost around 100 participants.

Please, also see: Mentorship Program

-          Alumni Highlights: „Alumni Highlights” is a project, where the members of the association share their success stories, blogs, essays, articles, videos, achievements, or other materials, which are posted on the website and Facebook page of the association

Please, also see: Alumni Highlights

-          Annual Job Fair: Yet another networking event for our members, partners and wider public interested in such activity.

-          Hidden Treasure: For EPAG’s regional outreach

Please, also see: Annual Job Fair Link

-          Social gatherings: Once in a month, social gathering only for EPAG members are held, that helps to keep our ties closer.

Please, also see: Social Gatherings Link

-          EPAG Study Visits Program: Group of High School students are visiting state institutions, civil society and international organizations, embassies, media outlets and are introduced to their role in democratic developments. Such institutions include the Parliament, different embassies, public broadcaster, Public Defender, UN local offices etc.

Zorica (MAAA): Ms. Turmanidze, do you think that your expertise in the area of law, international relations and diplomacy, helped you be a better leader of EPAG? How?

Mariam (EPAG): My educational background did help to better manage EPAG. Knowledge of law assured to have well-managed legal side of the association. Thanks to my experience in international relations and contacts, EPAG gained more foreign partners. As for diplomacy, I consider that it plays the biggest role in any position. Diplomacy, negotiation and communication skills are vital when leading this type of organizations with diverse members.

Zorica (MAAA): As an Advisory Board Chairperson, what are the most precious pieces of advice you now give to EPAG’s newly elected president, Luka Bluashvili? 

Mariam (EPAG): The association was extremely lucky to get a new chairperson like Mr. Luka Bluashvili. Despite the fact that Luka has not served as an EPAG board member before and was directly elected as a chairperson, he is managing the organization perfectly well. I and the rest of the Advisory Board members share our experience and knowledge with him when needed.

Zorica (MAAA): It was recently announced that the next ENAM/EPAG conference will be held in Tbilisi, Georgia. What would be the main topic and what are the expected outcomes?

Mariam (EPAG): Indeed, next ENAM/EPAG conference will be held in Tbilisi in Autumn. The conference is still in its preparation phase, however, what we can already share is that the main topic will be the future of democracy worldwide. 

Zorica (MAAA): How does EPAG prepare for the conference? How many guests do you expect to host and what should their expectations be for Georgia? 

Mariam (EPAG): We are expecting around 250-300 participants to join the conference. Preparations are in its active phase. EPAG board meetings are held more frequently in order to discuss the conference related issues and distribute tasks. We also count on high- profile and diverse panelists for the conference, who we are selecting currently. Besides the official part, the program will include a cultural aspect as well, giving an opportunity to foreign participants (ENAM members) of the conference to get to know Georgia better.

Thank you!