The Polish Embassy in Tbilisi has been stepping up its grassroots efforts to tackle the complex, often polarizing shadow of disinformation that currently clouds the digital and political landscape. By moving beyond the traditional confines of diplomacy, the mission recently bridged the gap between policy and people during a trip to the city of Zugdidi on June 26. This outreach wasn’t about top-down propaganda; it was a genuine attempt to foster a candid dialogue with the younger generation. In an era where information can be weaponized as easily as a headline, the Embassy sought to equip students with the critical thinking tools necessary to distinguish between authentic discourse and orchestrated, hostile narratives aimed at undermining both Poland and the broader European Union.
Central to this initiative was the participation of Artur Gębal, Poland’s Head of Mission, who joined force with experts from the Georgian Strategic Analysis Center (GSAC). Together, they facilitated a space where students could move past the noise of social media rumors and engage with the reality of modern information warfare. The discussion was less about lecturing and more about shared vulnerability; because both Poland and Georgia have histories marked by the shadow of external interference, the participants were able to draw parallels between their experiences. The session centered on the mechanisms of Russian disinformation, exploring how these narratives are crafted to erode public trust, exploit social divisions, and ultimately weaken the democratic fabric of both nations.
For many of the students, these workshops provided more than just theoretical knowledge—they offered a sense of solidarity. In the face of sophisticated psychological operations that often leave people feeling confused or cynical, the consensus reached during the meeting was that resilience is built through transparency and connectivity. The experts emphasized that countering disinformation is not just an intelligence task for governments, but a social responsibility for citizens. By learning to verify sources and understand the psychological triggers utilized by bad actors, these young Georgians are effectively becoming the first line of defense for their own country’s information environment, ensuring that their vision for the future isn’t hijacked by foreign influence.
Beyond the pressing issues of cybersecurity and propaganda, the conversation naturally pivoted toward the aspirational goal of European integration. Artur Gębal shared the personal and historical narrative of Poland’s own arduous journey toward becoming a member of the European Union. He spoke with the candor of someone whose country didn’t just wake up one day as an EU member, but rather slogged through decades of profound systemic change, economic restructuring, and difficult political reforms. By sharing these “lessons from the field,” Gębal transformed Poland’s past into a tangible blueprint for Georgia, showing that the path to Brussels is rarely linear but always worth the struggle.
The resonance of this message in Zugdidi cannot be overstated. For a generation of Georgians who view their future through the lens of European values, listening to a Polish diplomat discuss these challenges served as a powerful motivator. The discussion highlighted that while the EU is often painted as a distant, bureaucratic entity, the reality is that it is a community built on shared standards and the rule of law—standards that Poland had to fight hard to meet. By framing Poland’s accession as a process of growth rather than a simple checklist, the Embassy humanized the geopolitical tensions that the local students read about in daily headlines.
Ultimately, these gatherings reflect a shift in how modern diplomacy is conducted. The Polish Embassy is betting on the idea that the most effective way to secure long-term geopolitical stability is to invest in the intellectual resilience of the youth. By fostering an open, honest, and educational exchange, they are strengthening a bond that goes beyond treaties and protocols. As the event concluded, the underlying message was clear: whether fighting against digital disinformation or navigating the complexities of democratic transition, Georgia is not walking that path alone. Poland remains a committed partner, not just through government policy, but through the shared belief that free societies are strongest when their future generations are well-informed and empowered.