UNESCO CHAIR/UNITWIN NETWORK PROGRESS REPORT FORM
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UNESCO Chair in Intercultural Policy for an Active Citizenship and Solidarity |
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University of Macedonia |
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2004 |
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September 2012 – May 2013 |
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Paraskevi Naskou-Perraki, Professor of International Law and International Organisations at the Department at International and European Studies of the University of Macedonia, Director of UNESCO Chair in Intercultural Policy for an Active Citizenship and Solidarity |
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The outcomes of the work of UNESCO Chair have been to promote the protection of human rights, with emphasis on the right to education, and the promotion of human rights education, intercultural policy, intercultural dialogue and intercultural education at all levels of our society (academic, civil, etc.) The UNESCO Chairholder has established a network between the UNESCO Chair and the museums in The UNESCO Chair progressively appeals to more and more students every year who wish to be involved in various aspects of the work of the Chair as internees. At the same time Professor P. Naskou-Perraki, the UNESCO Chairholder and a well-established academic, is invited to numerous events and conferences to lecture on human rights and the promotion of intercultural dialogue, and has contributed significantly to nurturing and establishing networks and links across academic disciplines as well as other social, public policy and civil society areas. The work of the UNESCO Chair has contributed significantly to raising awareness on the protection of human rights; this is evidenced in the collaboration with schools of primary and secondary education; receiving funding from public bodies on UNESCO Chair’s publications; as well as in publishing leaflets and books which are distributed for free to schools and University students. For example, following a conference with representatives of primary education, UNESCO Chair undertook the preparation of a leaflet on the Rules of Behaviour towards people with disabilities. The publication costs for this leaflet were initially provided by the General Secretariat of the Ministry Press. The leaflet was distributed to all public sectors and schools. Currently, the UNESCO Chair is in talks with the Greek-German School of Athens with regard to the reproduction of this leaflet. The UNESCO Chair intends to distribute electronically this leaflet on the rules of behaviour towards people with disabilities in order to reach out to the general public and disseminate information on the protection of the rights of people with disabilities. UNESCO Chair has uploaded this leaflet on the website of UNESCO Chair so that it can be accessible to any one. The value of this leaflet is further attested by the fact that the Library of the Ministry of Press has requested for the electronic version of this leaflet in order to upload it on the website of the Library. The UNESCO Chairholder, Professor P. Naskou-Perraki, and the scientific collaborator to the UNESCO Chair, Dr. K. Chainoglou, have been invited to teach in English at postgraduate level the module of “UNESCO and Culture” which is part of the MA in Law, Arts and Economy of the International Hellenic University (October 2012-January 2013). For the preparation of the module, all teaching materials and legal instruments on the protection of culture were prepared by the collaborators of the Chair. |
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a) Education/Training/Research (key education programmes and training delivered and research undertaken by the Chair during the reporting period, target group and geographical coverage) |
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i) Education |
Various courses are taught at the University which aim in human rights education and the promotion of cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue as a means to gain an active/democratic citizenship. At the Department of International and European Studies, the courses of “International Protection of Human Rights” and “Cultural Diplomacy” are offered at undergraduate level taught by Professor P. Naskou-Perraki. The course of ‘’International Protection on Human Rights’’ is taught to undergraduate Erasmus students in English by Professor P. Naskou-Perraki. On postgraduate level the course of “Human Rights and the Rights of the Child” is taught at the Master on European Youth Policies by P. Naskou-Perraki. Moreover, for the academic year 2012-2013, the UNESCO Chairholder, Professor P. Naskou-Perraki, which is part of the MA in Law, Arts and Economy of the International Hellenic University (October 2012-January 2013). |
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ii) Training |
Training and research at the UNESCO Chair are materializing through internship at UNESCO Chair. The main purpose of offering an internship to undergraduate and postgraduate students at the UNESCO Chair is to familiarize students with the purposes and the programmes of UNESCO at global and regional level. Under the supervision of Professor Perraki the students are encouraged to study the international instruments under which the protection of human rights is guaranteed. This year’s research and training is focused on culture. The internees at the UNESCO Chair are divided into three working groups. The tasks of each Working Group are the following: The First Working Group, known as the “Journalists’ Team”, works throughout the academic year in order to collect any information on the activities of UNESCO. The Journalists’ team translates into Greek the collected information which is then edited and published either in print or on the website of the UNESCO Chair (http://afroditi.uom.gr/chaireunesco/). The work of the Journalists’ team is purely informative. The Second Working Group, aims in conducting research on international case law (i.e. CCPR, CERD, etc) and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights. The members of this Group studies and translates cases into Greek. This year the jurisprudence was on cultural rights. The Third Working Group aims in the presentation of information on the monuments of the World Heritage List. Here the students prepared a presentation of all monuments in different countries protected by UNESCO. The aim of the Chair iis to present all works of students on Chair’s website. |
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iii) Research |
Training and research at the UNESCO Chair are materializing through internship at UNESCO Chair (see above). Furthermore, the UNESCO Chair organises events in order to stimulate dialogue between various stakeholders, i.e. academics, postgraduate students, PhD students, non-governmental organisations, public bodies, etc, and to encourage research on issues that are troubling the contemporary Greek society. This year’s research was focused on cultural rights, cultural heritage, etc |
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b) Conferences/Meetings (key conferences and meetings organized by the Chair or to which its Chairholder contributed) |
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i) Key conferences and workshops hosted by the Chair Information-awareness workshops or events organised by the Chair for UNESCO Chair On 15th of April 2013, the UNESCO Chair organized a seminar on “The Role of Diplomacy in Inter-religious Relations”, whereby UNESCO Chair invited three experts with differential academic background (one greek Ambassador, one Professor of Theology and one Professor of Political Sciences) to present a critical analysis of key-dimensions of the issue. On 1st March 2012, the UNESCO Chair honored Mr. Thomas Gerasimidis, Doctor, for his invaluable contribution to the achievement of the UNESCO’s aims through his work, as a prominent science. On 13th November 2012, the UNESCO Chair honored Mrs. Polixeni Adam-Veleni, Director of the Archeological Museum of Thessaloniki, for her contribution to the promotion and dissemination of greek culture. Both events, were accepted by the society of ii) Other conferences/organizational activities undertaken by the Chairholder Education (Annual Student Conference) Since 2002 the Annual Thessaloniki International Student Model United Nations (ThessISMUN) is organised at the University of Macedonia under the academic direction of Professor P. Naskou-Perraki. ThessISMUN, a successful Model UN, Council of Europe and North Atlantic Council, gathers students from Greek Universities and from all over the world, ready to show their diplomatic skills. ThessISMUN is the only Model UN organised in Greece and is supportive of other UN Models in neighbouring countries, as well Regional Models in other parts of Greece. ThessISMUN gathers undergraduate and graduate students from around the world for a 5-day youth summit to simulate discussions of different bodies of UN and regional organisations and assume the roles of ambassadors. ThessISMUN offers to students educational experience and is an effective tool to learn about the complexities of the world, how international community deals with economic and environmental concerns, human rights violations, disarmament and political conflicts and other global issues. The educational value of ThessISMUN is further enhanced by the fact that it presents a multicultural and multinational forum where students can enhance their communication skills, learn about other countries, promote democracy, explore conflict resolutions and develop negotiations skills. iii) A selection of conference presentations by the Chairholder and other colleagues On 10th April 2013, the Director of the UNESCO Chair, Professor P. Naskou-Perraki, was invited by the Open Public University in Thessaloniki to speak about “Human Rights Violations by the Government Bodies”. On 26th February 2013, the Director of the UNESCO Chair, Professor P. Naskou-Perraki, gave a lecture on “The Rights of the European Citizen” on seminars organized by the Center of International Relations and European Integration of the Department of International and European Studies at University of Macedonia. On 15th February 2013, The Director of the UNESCO Chair, Professor P. Naskou-Perraki, was participated as Co-ordinator of the 4th Session “Managing Borders, Migration and ‘Asylum’ at the 1st International Conference organized by the Jean Monnet Chair of the University of Macedonia on “Developments and Challenges in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice in the EU” in Thessaloniki. On 27th September 2012, the Director of the UNESCO Chair, Professor P. Naskou-Perraki, delivered a keynote speech on “Rights of the Child” at the Conference on Active Citizenship which was organized by the Vice-municipality of Youth, Sports and Volunteers and under the auspices of INCLUDE. On 14th May 2012, the Director of the UNESCO Chair, Professor P. Naskou-Perraki, delivered a speech on “International Institutions for the Protection of Women’s Rights” at a seminar that that entitled “Women and Current Crisis” and organized by the Department of Theology of Aristotle’s University of Thessaloniki. |
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c) Interuniversity Exchanges/Partnerships (principal exchanges/partnerships between the Chair and other institution,s including UNESCO Chairs/UNITWIN Networks) |
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The UNESCO Chair has already established co-operation with the other two UNESCO Chairs of the Aristotle University. Furthermore, UNESCO Chair is in co-operation with intercultural schools of Thessaloniki and other primary and secondary schools as well as museums, non-governmental organisations, etc. Emphasis was given on the co-operation with the 3rd Primary School of Municipality of Rizas (Zakynthos) on ASPnet’s Programmes. |
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d) Publications/Multimedia Materials (major publications and teaching/learning materials) |
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Give details of major publications and materials including full citations. i) Publications Books
Teaching materials :
Conference proceedings :
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e) Cooperation with UNESCO Headquarters, Field Offices |
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The UNESCO Chair, applied before UNESCO for a permission to translate the upcoming UNESCO Book “Human Rights: Questions and Answers” from English into Greek. The UNESCO Chair has received funding for the publication costs of the UNESCO Book “Human Rights: Questions and Answers” by the President of National Hellenic Commission of UNESCO, Mrs. E. Tzitzikosta. |
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f) Other
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The UNESCO Chair supports along with the UNESCO Youth Club the nomination of Thessaloniki as a European Youth Capital 2014. Moreover, the UNESCO Chair is actively supporting the Culture of Peace and Non-violence UNESCO Contest (<http://www.unesco-hellas.gr/gr/news_display.aspx?id=224>) by encouraging pupils and students to participate therein. The Director of UNESCO Chair, Professor P. Naskou-Perraki, has been appointed as a consultant for the above contest by the Ministry of Education. |
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3. Future Plans and Development Prospects: Outline of action plan for the next biennium and short/medium and long-term development prospects. Please do not hesitate to refer to difficulties that the Chair has experienced (Not exceeding 300 words) |
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The UNESCO Chair has already established co-operation with the other two UNESCO Chairs of the Aristotle University. And the UNESCO Chair supports the work of UNESCO Youth Club of Thessaloniki; members of the UNESCO Youth Club participate in the activities of the UNESCO Chair as internees or on a voluntary basis. Additionally, the UNESCO Chair participates in information awareness events organised by the UNESCO Youth Club. The promotion of human rights and the need for intercultural dialogue is necessary to the achievement of the goals of UNESCO. It may seem endless but it is the most rewarding and effective process. The commitment of the UNESCO Chair in studying, analyzing, distributing information and raising awareness on intercultural policy for a democratic citizenship (a concept that describes best the term “active citizenship”) contributes to the goals of the UNESCO. The UNESCO Chair recognizes that raising awareness on human rights education is a means to implementing successfully intercultural policies. For this reason, the UNESCO Chair aims in broadening the existing networks that have been established under the auspices of the UNESCO Chair and will continue to work towards promoting human rights for a democratic citizenship by reaching out to policy-makers, professionals (i.e. educators, teachers, lawyers, etc.) and civil society. The UNESCO Chair is collecting international instruments and information concerning intercultural policies and intercultural dialogue within the context of international and regional organizations. Furthermore, the UNESCO Chair is co-operating with the Municipality of Thessaloniki and other stakeholders to promote the goals of UNESCO. A number of events are organized on the World Days that celebrate human rights of vulnerable groups, i.e. children, women, people with disabilities, refugees, immigrants, etc. Moreover, UNESCO Chair will organised three seminars for professionals, jurists, social and political scientists, sociologists, professionals in education, school councillors, civil servants, postgraduate students, etc. Professor P. Naskou-Perraki is the Director of a series of seminars which cover various issues on human rights, the protection of culture, intercultural dialogue and international organisations. For the academic year 2013-2014, the following thematic seminars are taught: 1) The right to Education and Intercultural Education; 2) Tools for Intercultural Teaching of Human Rights at School; 3) Gender Equality and Women’s Rights; 4) Protection of the Rights of Social Vulnerable Groups: People with Disabilities; Refugees; Immigrants; Roma; and Women. Also, a number of books are in preparation: 1) Professor P. Naskou-Perraki is preparing an updated version of the International Mechanisms protecting human rights: Texts, Comments and case law which was originally published in the series of the UNESCO Chair Publications of the 2) Professor P. Naskou-Perraki and a group of young academics under her supervision are preparing a book on the right to education [in Greek]. The purpose of this book is to present how the right to education is implemented at global, regional and national level, especially with regard to vulnerable groups, i.e. immigrants, refugees, repatriated Greeks, and Roma. The book benefits from intriguing analysis of various dimensions of the right to education. 3) A book on the protection of women’s rights is also underway. The UNESCO Chair is currently liaising with UNESCO on the content of the book as well as the publisher’s house. |
Appendix:
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1) Human Resources |
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Number of posts One Professor – Full time One Lecturer – Full time One administrative person – Part time a) Paroula Naskou-Perraki Professor of International Law and International Organizations Department of International and European Studies University of Macedonia, Office 421, Tower K P.O. Box 1591, 156 Egnatia Str. Thessaloniki, 54006 Greece Tel. 00302310891499, 00302310891491 Fax. 00302310891439 E-mail: perraki@uom.gr
Other Persons to conduct b) Zafeiris Tsiftzis LLM in Public International Law e-mail: zafiris.tsiftzis@gmail.com 1.2. Number of Persons invited 1) Mr. Koptsidis Gabriel, former Greek Ambassador 2) Dr. Koukoura Dimitra, Professor of the Department of Theology of Aristotle’s University of Thessaloniki 3) Dr. Papastathis Konstantinos, Teacher at the the Department of Political Science of Aristotle’s University of Thessaloniki 4) Representatives of the Associated Schools with UNESCO in Thessaloniki 5) UNESCO Youth Club 6) Navarino Network 7) Hellenic College of Thessaloniki 1.3. Other Persons participating in the activities of the Chair Internship: 39 persons Undergraduate and postgraduate students of our University and Aristotle University |