The Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA) was created in 1994. The Institute’s four individual schools offer BA and MA programs as well as training courses in the spheres of Public Affairs, Local Governance, Journalism, International Affairs and Law alongside a PhD program in Social Sciences. The teaching curricula, which is founded on the principles of liberal democracy, freedom of speech and innovation, offer students theoretical knowledge as well as practical skills through the integration of research and interactive teaching. GIPA is a national center for the development of best practices in Public Administration, Law, Politics and Journalism in Georgia. From the beginning of its establishment, GIPA has brought together successful leaders from business, media, civil society and the public services to contribute to developing effective governance at the state, municipal and local levels as well as independent and viable media in Georgia through interactive educational programs, research and training. Apart from the graduate degree and certified training programs, GIPA carries out many successful research and training projects and manages the first English-language and student-run Radio GIPA. GIPA has four schools and three departments: School of Government Caucasus School of Journalism and Media Management School of Law and Politics School of Social Sciences Research Department Georgian Rural Development Department Training Center