Alumni Programs 
College of International and Security Studies
George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies

GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany (March 5, 2021) – The Alumni Programs at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, in conjunction with the GCMC Alumni Association of Georgia and the German embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia, conducted a Georgia online alumni meeting Feb. 26.

The 15 participants from multiple ministries in Georgia, along with the German and Polish Ambassadors to Georgia gathered virtually to discuss COVID-19 and Governance.

“The event is part of a continuing program to encourage alumni from Georgia to enhance their participation in Marshall Center programs, to discuss important security issues, and to encourage the alumni security community network to grow and flourish,” said Marc Johnson, Marshall Center Alumni Relations Specialist.

German Ambassador to Georgia Hubert Knirsch and Polish Ambassador to Georgia Mariusz Maszkiewicz provided an overview of the COVID-19 pandemic challenges Georgia faces. 

"COVID is a trilemma, pitting against each other the forces of satisfying the health sector, individual freedoms, and economic development,” said Dr. Sebastian von Münchow, Marshall Center course director of the ESS EU-NATO Cooperation. 

Dr. Nika Chitadze, President of the Georgia GCMC Alumni Association, provided an overview of the history of pandemics in Georgia and how the current crisis is being handled.

“The country alumni events are a way for us to show our continued support and helps to strengthen the alumni network as an integral part of the alumni program and mission of the Marshall Center,” Johnson said. “During these events, we are also able to update our alumni on new initiatives at the Marshall Center and future opportunities for alumni to participate in our programs.” 

Alumni can get the latest news and information from the Marshall Center by emailing their current contact info to: mcalumni [at] marshallcenter.org.  Alumni can also see the latest developments and gain access to networking and research resources through our GlobalNet online alumni portal.