The second Network meeting of coordinators of Child Rights Centres in Universities from around Greece was completed in Thessaloniki with great success

ATHENS/THESSALONIKI, November 25, 2025—The meeting, which took place on November 13 at the Thermi campus, brought together coordinators and academics to exchange experiences, discuss current initiatives and strengthen cooperation to promote children's rights in all academic institutions where Child Rights Centres have been established throughout Greece.

A press conference was held prior to the meeting on the same day, attended by Stamatis Angelopoulos, Rector of the International Hellenic University (IHU) and Dr. Ghassan Khalil, UNICEF Representative in Greece, who, together with Dr. Isaac Papadopoulos, Assistant Professor in the Department of Early Childhood Education and Care at the International Hellenic University and Coordinator of the Center for Children's Rights at IHU, announced the organization of the 2nd International Conference on the role of Academia in promoting child rights, which will be hosted by the International Hellenic University in June 2026.

At the start of the network meeting, the Rector of the International Hellenic University, Mr. Angelopoulos, and the UNICEF Representative in Greece, Dr. Ghassan Khalil, highlighted the growing impact of Child Rights Centres in promoting research, education and advocacy for children's rights in society and local communities.

Regarding the network meeting of the Coordinators of the Child Rights Centres, the Rector of the International Hellenic University, Stamatis Angelopoulos, stressed that "the goal is not simply scientific discussion but the creation of practical and applicable solutions, strengthening university education with topics related to the promotion of children's rights through an interdisciplinary approach, in order to encourage a new generation of scientists and citizens who will actively defend children."

UNICEF Representative in Greece, Dr. Ghassan Khalil, stated:

"The development of the network of Child Rights Centers in Greek universities demonstrates how important the role of the academic community is in defending children. Our collaboration with the International Hellenic University and other institutions strengthens research, education and the development of a new generation of citizens who actively defend children's rights. UNICEF will continue to strongly support this effort so that every child can enjoy their rights."

The Coordinator of the Child Rights Centre, Isaac Papadopoulos, stressed that "it is particularly important that, since its first year of operation, the Centre at the International Hellenic University has developed research work that is presented at international conferences, has designed new training programs on children's rights, and has established new transnational collaborations with academics and universities abroad, underlining both the University's collaborative attitude and its dynamic participation in international dialogue.”

During the networking session, the coordinators of the Child Rights Centres  presented their current and planned activities, with an emphasis on measurable impact and innovative approaches to integrating children's rights into academic programmes and community engagement. The sessions were coordinated by Giorgos Simopoulos, from the UNICEF Education sector and member of the Working Group on Children's Rights, and Mr. Isaac Papadopoulos as representative of the International Hellenic University.

On the previous day, November 12, at the campus of the International Hellenic University in Sindos, the UNICEF Representative in Greece gave a speech on Children's Rights open to all IHU students, emphasizing the importance of disseminating rights in society through the role of the Centres at Universities, in a packed hall with students from various departments of the International Hellenic University, who showed particular interest in the topic.

To conclude the network meeting, the coordinators of the Child Rights Centres and UNICEF representatives outlined the next steps for further integrating the network, strengthening transnational cooperation and enhancing the role of universities in promoting research, training and the defense of children's rights.