Freedom Team Interview: Maia Kobaidze in Focus
Meet a colleague from the Freedom Team from FNF South Caucasus. Since 2 years, Maia Kobaidze has been the Project Coordinator, based in Georgia. FNF is proud with its individuals, standing up for freedom and liberal values. Find the interview with Maia Kobaidze here.
- Please share a few words about yourself?
My name is Maia Kobaidze, I am sociologist by profession, after I completed my studies I lived 3 years in Germany. Before I joined Freedom team I worked at „Kaukasische Post“ newspapaer, also cooperated with various German-Georgian media organizations.
- How would you describe yourself in three words?
I am communicative and open person, with positive and negative sides, also very self-critical.
- Tell us more how your career in FNF has evolved so far?
Although it has been only 2 years since I started working at FNF, I am familiar with the foundation for at least 10 years, I started as an assistant and now I am local project coordinator. I love my work and believe that I am contributing to my country. Since I joined the Freedom Team, I see lot of things in different light, my values have changed somewhat and I have become more liberal.
- What is most interesting and challenging about your career in FNF?
As a project coordinator working in post-soviet country, we face enormous challenges. Thankfully, there are open minded people in Georgia, and also two liberal parties, but in my opinion it is not enough. It is my wish that more and more people to share liberal values and think that their neighbors have the same rights as everyone has, despite their religious, ethnic or sexual affiliation. I as a project coordinator try to include as youth in our projects as much as possible.
- What is your biggest achievement in FNF so far? What you are most proud of?
I am very proud that many of our Alumni’s have held many important posts in government and parliament during different periods. Also, I am very proud of the work we do to support 4 liberal parties in our region.
- Why is promotion of Freedom important to you?
Man, cannot live fully without freedom, he won’t be able to breathe. if you are not free, you are not complete as a human.
- What does the “F” of FNF mean to you?
When I look at F I see infinite blue sky.
As one of our famous Georgian poet used to say: “The soul craves for freedom, as a pack of deer craves for clear spring water”. My message is the following: “Crave freedom in all your aspects of life”.
In the Facebook Album below find the other FNF colleagues featured in the Freedom Team Interview Series from East and Southeast Europe.