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Introduction

The GIPA School of Law and Politics (SLP) was established in 2007 through merging Law and International Affairs programs under a single administration. Both master’s degree programs – International Affairs and Law – came into existence in 2005, however, and continued to develop independently until the merger. The primary goal of the SLP is to educate the future diplomats, lawyers, decision makers, public officials, and activists that hold it most important to implement the values of liberal democracy in their respective fields and strengthen the viability of the state and of the nation. We expect our alumni to contribute significantly to the democratic processes underway in Georgia. The teaching principles and methodology that is in place in the SLP creates a competitive environment to enable our graduates to succeed in their careers in the future. Electives and concentrations allow the candidates the possibility to actively participate in the planning of their studies. The SLP is focused to provide financial support for the best candidates. Thus, each year several fellowships are available for the best students. Most of the SLP lecturers and professors are graduates from the distinguished western universities and are active practitioners in their respective fields. Study process is founded on the experience of prominent American and European programs and entails synthesis of theory and practice. The SLP tries to adjust the best western practice to the local, Georgian reality. It is noteworthy that the selection of the lecturers takes into account not only the academic background of the applicants but also their practical experience. This academic year we have invited several key statesmen and practitioners to teach at SLP, these are: the former Prime-Minister of Georgia Mr. Zurab Noghaideli, Deputy Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia Mr. Zaza Meishvili, Ambassador Mr. Giga Burduli, Head of the Macroeconomic Analysis Division of the National Bank of Georgia Mr. David Lezhava, Envoy to Austria Mr. Levan Bodzashvili, and Senior Advisor of ABA Georgia Office Ms. Nino Khurtsidze. SLP considers it key that students participate in GIPA activities – in research or social undertakings. Most of our students are employed still finding time to meet the necessary conditions for successful completion of their studies. They take active part in sports tournaments, and participate in debate club contests. The SLP regularly invites its students to exclusive movie screenings and discussions. Recently, we started to implement the brown bag lunches where the Candidates meet the distinguished public figures in an informal atmosphere. The SLP students have unlimited opportunity to use available GIPA resources including GIPA library and various online databases GIPA is subscribed to.