In a notable advancement for the promotion of children’s rights in Greece, the University of Thessaly and UNICEF have formalized their collaboration through the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation, which establishes the Center for Children’s Rights. This center will be located within the university’s facilities in Volos. UNICEF intends to create analogous centers for children’s rights in each of the 13 regions of Greece and across the nation’s 23 universities.
Ms. Chrysi Laspidou, in her capacity as the Vice-Rector for Innovation, Internationalization, Partnerships, and Digital Governance, attended and participated in the signing ceremony alongside the Rector of the University of Thessaly, Professor Charalambos Billinis. The ceremony was held the university’s Rectorate (Papastratos Building) and included participation of Dr. Ghassan Khalil, UNICEF’s Diplomatic Representative in Greece, as well as Associate Professor of Intercultural Education, Kostas Magos.
The principal event for the presentation of the Memorandum of Cooperation took place in the Amphitheater of the Spatial Planning, Urban Planning, and Regional Development Engineering Building located in Pedion Areos. The event featured addresses from Rector Billinis, UNICEF representative Dr. Khalil, Vice-Rector Laspidou, Vice-Rector Plageras, and Professor Magos, all of whom underscored the crucial role that the new center will serve in advancing research, education, and awareness regarding children’s rights. The attendees comprised professors, researchers, students, distinguished guests, and university partners, thereby establishing a foundation for constructive dialogue and a robust framework for collaboration.
“This is a very important day for us, being here at the inauguration of the Center for Children’s Rights at the University of Thessaly. We are very happy and proud. We deeply thank the Rector, Vice-Rectors, professors, and members of the Department of Preschool Education who have contributed to the establishment of the center. We look forward to seeing its initiatives and successes in promoting children’s rights in the Thessaly region,” said Dr. Khalil, UNICEF’s Diplomatic Representative in Greece.
Vice-Rector Chrysi Laspidou underscored the importance of incorporating the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the institutional framework of the University of Thessaly. The realization of these goals can only be attained through a framework that ensures the protection of children’s rights, thereby fostering a sustainable future in which children can not only survive but also thrive in the world of tomorrow.
The Center for Children’s Rights aims to establish itself as a central repository of knowledge, education, and advocacy dedicated to the support and empowerment of children in Greece. Through this initiative, the University of Thessaly will gather data pertaining to children in the Thessaly region, with the objective of supplying resources to ministries and other regional and local entities engaged in legislation or policies that impact children. The overarching vision is for these centers throughout Greece to serve as the principal sources of information and data concerning children’s issues and social services.
In 2025, UNICEF will conduct training seminars for all faculty members at the University of Thessaly, thereby establishing a foundation for the center’s activities through the engagement of various specialties. Furthermore, a six-month training program will be provided for university professors, certifying them as experts in children’s rights recognized by UNICEF.
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