Do we choose who we are, and who to be? Or are we born with inherent traits and heritage to uncover? Explore how history, culture and ancestry form our personal and collective identities with Camp Identity — a virtual exchange program organized by America House Kyiv in collaboration with American Spaces in Moldova and Georgia. Examine shifting paradigms, exchange experiences and explore your identity together with participants from Ukraine, the U.S.A., Georgia and Moldova.
Throughout the virtual Camp, you will engage with researchers, diplomats, cultural experts, policy specialists and diverse voices and peers from 4 countries to examine:
How is one's identity formed and how many identities can a person have?
The influence of geography, climate, geopolitics, mass media, popular culture, and propaganda on self-identity and outside perceptions.
The role of misinformation and misrepresentation in popular self and external narratives.
How does the Digital Age and globalization impact identity in its individual and collective dimensions?
How youth across Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova and the U.S.A. see themselves and articulate their national and cultural identities today.
Besides group discussion, you will be matched with counterparts representing their country and scheduled for one-on-one or group sessions in a “zoom pal” for a day format.
If you want to learn about the historical context of each country and become more aware of the issues that modern multiethnic states face, Camp Identity is for you. During the program, you will:
Network. During the camp, you will engage with curious individuals from diverse backgrounds and different countries.
Think out of the box, uncovering new points of view and sharing your own, challenge your assumptions and search for fresh perspectives.
Hear fresh thoughts and form a personal understanding of important sociopolitical and cultural issues.
Exchange cultures and get familiar with a culture different from your own, developing new connections through group discussions and one-on-one talks.
Who can participate? Applications are open globally, with priority given to individuals with a connection or interest in Ukraine, the U.S.A., Georgia and Moldova. Participants will be chosen based on their interest and motivation for the program. This program will provide opportunities for new knowledge, networking and cultural exchange for active citizens who are interested in culture, diplomacy, or policymaking.
To participate in the program, please register by submitting the form below by 11:59 PM Kyiv time (GMT +3), Sunday, October 30. No preparation is required, discussion topics will be provided. Participation in the program is free of charge. The working language of the program will be English.
The camp will be made up of several events:
November 9, 6:30 - 8 PM Kyiv time| Camp opening: “Plurality/Singularity. Identity in the Hypermodern Era.” Open discussion with guest speakers Vadim Pistriniuc and Giorgi Badridze, including:
“Independent Moldova: in Search for Lost Identities” — Presentation from Vadim Pistriniuc
“I am Georgian and therefore I am European” — Presentation from Ambassador Giorgi Badridze
November 10 - November 22 | Virtual group and one-on-one sessions with counterparts from Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia and the USA (one day, times vary).
November 23, 6:30 - 8 PM Kyiv time| Virtual Bonfire Night: “Civic, National & Personal Identity. Factors & Perspectives.” Open discussion with guest speakers, Dr. Chris Grant & Mariam Naiem, including:
“National Identity in Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia: An American Perspective” — Presentation from Dr. Chris Grant
“Multitudes: Identity in Ukraine Today“ — Presentation from Mariam Naiem
Participants should expect a commitment of 3 sessions, 2 general and 1 group/one-on-one session, each approximately 1-1.5 hours, so no more than 4 hours over two weeks. Those who attend all sessions will receive a certificate of participation in the Camp Identity program.
About our Speakers:
Vadim Pistrinciuc, social policy and development, community development, and public policy expert | Moldova
Mr. Pistrinciuc has been a member of the Parliament of Moldova from 2014 until 2019. He served as the Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection from 2009 until 2012 and was Senior Adviser to the Prime Minister from 2012 until 2013. He advised the Prime Minister on public administration reforms, political programs, and strategies. Prior to that, Vadim served as an expert, project manager, and consultant to international organizations (UNDP, UNICEF) in the areas of social protection, human rights, public administration reforms, and anti-corruption. Mr. Pistrinciuc has a Ph.D. in sociology. In 2019 he worked as a researcher in the European Council on Foreign Relations, Berlin office (ECFR), and also as a scholar of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.
Giorgi Badridze, diplomat, analyst and commentator, Ambassador in Residence at Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies | Georgia
Ambassador Giorgi Badridze is a Senior Fellow at Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies. He has been a career diplomat since 1991. He held various positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia including the Head of the Western European Department (1996-98) and the Director at the Directorate for the Americas (2004-2006). He served as the Minister Plenipotentiary and Deputy Head of Mission at the Georgian Embassies to the Republic of Turkey (1999-2002) and the United Kingdom (2007-09). In 2009-2013 Mr. Badridze served as the Ambassador of Georgia to the United Kingdom and Ireland. In 2013 he joined the Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies and also is a visiting lecturer in International Relations and Politics at the Tbilisi State University and the Caucasus University. From 2021 Giorgi Badridze serves as an expert at the European Research Executive of the European Commission, EU.
Mariam Naiem, cultural researcher, artist | Ukraine
Mariam Naiem is a speaker, cultural researcher and a Ukrainian of Afghan origin. Her cultural work is driven by her interest in mass culture and her efforts to bring understanding of the cultural context of the Russo-Ukrainian war to English-speaking audiences. Through presenting colonial and racial aspects and practices of Russian culture with respect to Ukraine and other peoples colonized by Russia, she raises awareness on the need to decolonize the discourse on Ukraine in order to center Ukrainian voices and de-center Russian and pro-Russian imperialist narratives. Mariam aims to be a bridge between English-speaking audiences and Ukrainians due to her understanding of Ukrainian and Western cultures through her personal experiences.
Chris Grant, professor of Political Science, former Fulbright Scholar | U.S.
Chris Grant, Ph.D. is a professor of Political Science at Mercer University in Macon, GA USA. He was a Fulbright Scholar in Moldova in 2006 and Ukraine in 2022. He has been a regular visitor to Georgia since 2011. His current research focuses on the nature of national identity in forming resilient and tolerant states in the former Soviet Union. Dr. Grant’s upcoming book will focus on the foundations of civic identity in 5 post-Soviet countries: Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. At Mercer University he regularly teaches courses on American government and American foreign policy as well as the politics of the former Soviet space.
About the organizers:
America House Kyiv is the main resource for American culture, education, and information in Ukraine and the Kyiv region. Focused on open dialogue, idea generation and innovation, AHK organizes a wide variety of activities, including discussions on pressing policy issues, speaker series, workshops, discussion clubs, art exhibits, concerts and more.
America House Chisinau is a cultural center administered by the Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy in Chisinau, Moldova, and aims to provide information about the United States of America, its customs, culture, politics, history, economy, and democratic traditions.
American Spaces Georgia is a partnership between the U.S. Embassy and local organizations, typically libraries. The Embassy supports 15 American Spaces in Georgia, including nine American Corners, five American Shelves, and a Bookmobile.
