First National Networking Meeting of Child Rights Center Coordinators successfully held
The first in-person national networking meeting of Coordinators from the Child Rights Centers across Greece was successfully held in Patras on Friday, 5 April, hosted by the University of Patras.
The meeting brought together Coordinators from 11 Child Rights Centers established throughout the country, in collaboration with the University of Patras, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Democritus University of Thrace, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, University of Crete, University of Thessaly, International Hellenic University, Hellenic Mediterranean University, University of Ioannina, University of the Peloponnese, and University of Western Macedonia.
Participants were welcomed by the Rector of the University of Patras, Professor Christos Bouras, and the UNICEF Representative in Greece, Ghassan Khalil.
In their opening remarks, both officials expressed deep appreciation for the continued collaboration between UNICEF and the academic institutions in Greece. They emphasized the vital role that universities – and particularly the Child Rights Centers – play in fostering and embedding a strong culture of child rights throughout the country.
The Coordinators reaffirmed their collective commitment to deepening cooperation with UNICEF and academic institutions, highlighting the crucial importance of promoting child rights, as well as teaching and researching them, in order to enhance the rights and wellbeing of every child.
The discussions were further enriched by shared experiences from similar Child Rights Centers established in Georgia between 2020 and 2022. This exchange offered valuable insights into the potential impact such centers can have, sparking dynamic dialogue on future initiatives and possible expansion of partnerships – including with the private sector – to further strengthen child rights efforts in Greece.
A key point of discussion was the upcoming conference titled “The Role of the Academic Community in Promoting Children’s Rights”, scheduled to take place at the University of Patras on 6–7 June 2025. Representatives from academic institutions expressed strong interest and enthusiasm in participating in the event, viewing it as a significant opportunity to showcase and strengthen the academic community’s role in advancing children’s rights.
Many university representatives also expressed interest in organizing similar conferences at their own institutions, underscoring the growing commitment of academia to advocate for the rights and wellbeing of children through research, teaching, and public engagement.
Source: paratiritis-news.gr
