Radarami is a non-profit organization based in the country of Georgia (not the state). We bring globally significant topics to Georgians-things like climate change ("Fast Forward"), the role of China ("When a Billion Chinese Jump") and the global financial crisis. Currently, we are promoting Tony Judt's "Ill Fares the Land" which raises questions about the proper role of government and its engagement with the economy.
A lack of high-quality written material in the Georgian language--spoken by only 5 million people worldwide--means citizens in this pivotal crossroads are reading less and are cut off from global debates and trends of political thought, relying on hearsay and rumor rather than critical, informed thinking. With fewer Georgians reading Russian or English and no publisher in Georgia translating topical international works into the local language, this highly literate population is left in the dark.
Each month, our international selection committee chooses an accessible, innovative non-fiction work that has inspired global discussion. We purchase the rights, translate the book, print 5000 copies, and distribute them across Georgia inexpensively (for less than $1.25). Our system of free SMS messaging allows readers-especially those living outside the capital-to connect with each other. Georgians read the books, discuss the topics the world is talking about and how they relate to Georgia
Through book distribution, author events, and our SMS messaging system, Radarami is building a network of curious, open-minded readers from diverse backgrounds and helping them find each other. Our goal is to have 10,000 active readers in our network, debating via SMS and anticipating the next book on climate change, the global food crisis, or behavioral economics. For the first time, Georgians will have access to the most brilliant minds writing today and the most transformative works.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
