Policy Forum 

# Georgia’s Liberal Institutions In the Wake of War and the Global Economic Crisis 

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Date and Time 

March 24, 2009 12 - 2 PM EDT 

Location 

Auditorium/Wintergarden 

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##### Featuring 

Featuring **David Bakradze**, Speaker of the Georgian Parliament; **Kakha Bendukidze**, Former Minister of the Economy and Reform Coordination, Georgia; and **Andrei Illarionov**, Senior Fellow, Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity, Cato Institute; 

Since the Rose Revolution of 2003, Georgia has implemented perhaps the most ambitious economic reform program of all formerly socialist countries. Years of high growth have been transforming it into an economic success story. But beginning last year the country suffered a war with Russia, partial occupation and secession of part of its territory, and the effects of the global economic crisis. Kakha Bendukidze will explain the economic policies that Georgia is undertaking to confront that adversity. David Bakradze will discuss the country’s move toward greater democratization, including in the areas of free speech and a greater role for parliament in national decision making and presidential accountability.

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