Akaki Tsereteli State University of Georgia and University of Patras, Greece sign a Memorandum of Understanding to promote Children’s Rights through UNICEF’s support

ATHENS, 12 APRIL 2024—A pioneering Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today between the University of Patras, Greece and the Akaki Tsereteli State University of Georgia, for the promotion and protection of children's rights, through the strengthening of their respective Child Rights Centers, an initiative led by UNICEF.

“Today University of Patras and Akaki Tsereteli State University sign a Memorandum of Understanding to initiate the collaboration in the promotion of Children's Rights Centres' mission. An inclusive educational system requires high-quality curricula, informed environments and well-prepared staff to be in line with the educational needs of all students. Special thanks to Dr. Ghassan Khalil, UNICEF representative, who orchestrated the initiation of child rights centers and this exceptional collaboration between our two academic institutions” said Mr. Shalva Kirtadze, Rector of Akaki Tsereteli State University.

“The University of Patras, in the context of its mission as a public university, accepted with great joy the proposal of UNICEF’s Country Office in Greece and UNICEF Representative Dr. Ghassan Khalil to create the first Child Rights Centre in a Greek academic institution. Today with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Akaki Tsereteli State University of Georgia, this initiative is further strengthened. The first actions are already being planned and I am sure that in this way the University of Patras will further expand its connection with society”, stated Professor Christos Bouras, Rector of the University of Patras.

“Child Rights Centers are pioneering hubs for encouraging academic research and highlighting Child Rights, as postulated in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in the discourse held not only in Academia but also in broader society. We are really happy to see two Universities of significant academic excellence in their respective countries coming together to support and proliferate Child Rights beyond our two countries ” stated UNICEF Representative in Greece, Ghassan Khalil.  

The MoU between Patras University and Akaki Tsereteli State University constitutes the launching step for the ongoing cooperation of the two entities in the creation and dissemination of knowledge on children's rights and inclusive education, through mutual publication of scientific journals,  articles, scientific and educational literature and by strengthening the capacity of academic staff, students, teachers and parents to effectively implement the principles of children's rights, by fostering scientific research, participation in conferences and seminars, peer reviewing of papers and academic mobility.