Thessaloniki 20/02/2010
No Ref: 239
Monsieur Georges HADDAD,
Directeur
Division de l’ Enseignement Superieur
UNESCO – Chaires UNESCO
7, place Fontenoy 75352 Paris 07 SP.
France
For Information: Permanent Greek Delegation to UNESCO ,Paris
Madam Aikaterini Tzitzikosta, Athens
Programme Unitwin / Chaires UNESCO
Report of Activities
Period of Activities: academic year 2008-2009
Title of UNESCO Chair: UNESCO Chair in Intercultural Policy for an Active Citizenship and Solidarity/Chaire de Politique Interculturelle pour une citoyennete active et solidaire
Institution/Country: University of Macedonia – Thessaloniki – Greece
Report written by Professor P. Naskou-Perraki, Director of UNESCO Chair in Intercultural Policy for an Active Citizenship and Solidarity
I. Address and Conduct
a) Paroula Naskou-Perraki
Director of UNESCO Chair in Intercultural Policy for an Active Citizenship and Solidarity
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
Fax. 00302310891439
E-mail: perraki@uom.gr
b) Kalliopi Chainoglou
Dr. (PhD in International Law)
Scientific Collaborator to UNESCO Chair in Intercultural Policy for an Active Citizenship and Solidarity
Candidate for the Lecturership post in “International and European Institutions”
Department of International and European Studies
University of Macedonia, Office 421, Tower K
P.O. Box 1591, 156 Egnatia Str. Thessaloniki, 54006 Greece
Tel. 00302310891491
Fax. 00302130891439
E-mail: kchainoglou@gmail.com
Other Persons to conduct
c) Ourania Petridou : Secretary of UNESCO Chair
Tel.: 00302310891413
e-mail : rraannia@uom.gr
II. Available Resources
1.Human Resources
Number of posts
One Professor – Full time
One Lecturer – Full time
Number of Persons invited
One Ambassador
One High Officer of the United Nations Secretariat
One Cultural Attaché at the General Consulate of USA
One Professor of International Law specialized in Human Rights
One Officer of UNESCO, Division of Human Rights
Total five persons
Number of administrative persons
One person – Secretariat
Other persons participating in the activities of the Chair
Internship: 20 persons (ten for each six months)
Students of our University, and Aristotle University
- Other Resources
Financial Contribution: University of Macedonia
Material Resources: University of Macedonia
Space: University of Macedonia
III.Activities
- 1.Academic Activities
Education
We have introduced two new courses in the curriculum of our University on Intercultural policy. The first course bears the title ‘Introduction to Intercultural education’, an optional course, in the first semester of the Department of Educational and Social Policy, and the second course is the Cultural diplomacy’ introduced at the Department of International and European Studies, as optional course, too. The module “Cultural Diplomacy” has replaced the module “Intercultural Educational Policy”.
A specialized programme, in the form of seminars, on Intercultural Policy and Human Rights is going to start, in April of this year (according to the schedule). In this specialized programme emphasis is given on the importance of intercultural policy and the respect of the Rights of Individuals. The programme is addressed to teachers of Primary and Secondary Schools to young lawyers and to students of the University.
Training (short-term)/Research
Every year more and more students express their interest in starting an internship at the UNESCO Chair. The internees are divided into four working groups:
a. The first working group, under the supervision of the Director of the UNESCO Chair, Prof. P. Naskou-Perraki, collect international and national instruments concerning intercultural policies. The students will have to study all international instruments-mostly the ones concerning UNESCO (and other international organizations as well) and they will focus on issues that trend to create obligations towards Greece after ratification. A summary of the content of the treaties will be presented by them.
b. The second working group is working on the designing of the website of the UNESCO Chair. This site shall include information about the Chair, its activities and information about UNESCO, in general. At the website, the Statute of UNESCO (in Greek) will also be uploaded along with the rules of procedures of the two main organs translated in Greek and the news concerning UNESCO’s activities (see past reports).
c. The third working groups is the group of ‘journalists’ which is very active. This is a most productive way to inform students with regard to the activities of UNESCO on a permanent basis. Summaries of UNESCO activities will be uploaded on our website in Greek.
d. The fourth working group consists of students who are assisting in the translation (in Greek) of the Book of UNESCO ‘Questions and answers on Human Rights’. The President of Greek National Committee for UNESCO Mrs Tzitzikosta has kindly offered to cover the publication costs.
Educational Student Conference
The Director of UNESCO Chair, Professor P. Naskou-Perraki, has organised a student conference under the name Thessaloniki International Student Model United Nations (ThessISMUN) which serves as a simulation of the United Nations and other international organisations. The aim of ThessISMUN is to promote the goals of the United Nations as they are enshrined by the Charter of the United Nations. ThessISMUN 2009 was held from 22nd to 26th April 2009 and it gathered students from all Greek Universities and Universities from all over the world eager to address the contemporary challenges to international peace and security and to show their diplomatic skills. ThessISMUN 2009 was dedicated to Emeritus Professor Emmanuel Roucounas (http://www.thessismun.org/html/index.php).
2. Conferences/Meetings
The Director of the UNESCO Chair has participated as a speaker or coordinator in the following conferences:
1 November 2008 in Athens, 2 November 2008 in Thessaloniki, 9 November 2008 in Patra and 23 November 2008 in Larissa, Professor P. Naskou-Perraki delivered lectures on «The International Protection of disabled people: Rights and implementation», at a series of conferences organized by Pan-Hellenic Association of Parents of disabled Children.
3 November 2008, Professor P. Naskou-Perraki spoke on «The International Protection of Children’s Rights», at a conference organized by the Department of Secondary Schools of Thessaloniki
10 December 2008, Professor P. Naskou-Perraki was invited to speak about «Children’s Rights», at a conference organized by the Cultural Organization of Kalamaria’s Municipality « The children speak about their Rights: We also are here – Seeking our Rights», Thessaloniki.
26-27 August 2008, Professor P. Naskou-Perraki spoke on the ‘The right to Education protected by the International acts at universal and regional Level’ at a conference organised by Palso school for foreign languages in Thessaloniki.
16 January 2009, Professor P. Naskou Perraki delivered a speech under the title “The Human Rights during the year of intercultural dialogue: Legends and reality in the Greek School” at a conference organized by Department of Primary Schools in Serres.
24-25 February 2009, Professor P. Naskou-Perraki spoke on the ‘Problems concerning the application of the rights of the child in 21st century’, at a conference organised by Maragopoulos Foundation for Human Rights and the Hellenic Society of International Law in Athens.
March 2009, Professor P. Naskou-Perraki was invited to teach «International Protection of Human Rights» at the Faculty of Law in Capital University of Columbus, USA.
2-4 April 2009, Professor P. Naskou-Perraki presented the ‘European Court of Human Rights’ at the Transatlantic Seminars organized by the General Consulate of the USA in cooperation with the University of Macedonia.
14 June 2009, «The prohibition of discrimination against women», in the by UNESCO Centre for women and peace in Balkans Thessaloniki.
22-23 June 2009, Professor P. Naskou-Perraki presented key points regarding ‘The United Nations New Convention for the Rights of Disabled People’ at a conference organised by the General Secretariat of Communication and Information.
22-23 June 2009, Dr. K. Chainoglou, scientific collaborator to the UNESCO Chair, spoke about the “Action Plan of the Council of Europe for the people with disabilities” at a conference organised by the General Secretariat of Communication and Information
23 June 2009, Professor P. Naskou-Perraki participated in a meeting organized by the president of the Hellenic committee of UNESCO Mrs. A. Tzitzikosta for the preparation of the Greek delegation at the 35 General Conference of UNESCO.
October 2009, Professor P. Naskou-Perraki participated as member of the Greek delegation at the 35 General Conference of UNESCO in Paris. During my stay in Paris I had meetings with Mr. G. Haddad, Mrs. A. Stenou, Mrs. C. Pinan and with the members of the permanent representation of Greece at UNESCO.
10 December 2010, Professor P. Naskou-Perraki was invited to speak on ‘the protection of the Rights of Women at universal and regional level and recent developments’ at a conference organised by the Socialist Groups of the European Parliament in Thessaloniki, on the 61st anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
11-12 December 2010, Professor P. Naskou-Perraki delivered the concluding remarks at the 2nd International Conference of Roma Women: ‘I am a European Roma’ organised in Athens by the Council of Europe, the Greek Ministry of Interior and the Rom network.
3. Interuniversity Exchanges/Partnerships
Ø Undergraduate and postgraduate students of other Universities, i.e. Aristotle University, are welcomed every year as internees at UNESCO Chair.
4. Publication and Multimedia Materials
- P. Naskou-Perraki, D. Bachtsevanidou (eds.)- Preface: A. Tzitzikosta, UNESCO Conventions, UNESCO Συμβάσεις, No. 1 Publications of UNESCO Chair University of Macedonia- Director: P. Naskou-Perraki (Ant. N. Sakkoulas, Athens-Komotini, 2008)
- P. Naskou-Perraki, K. Chainoglou, and M. Tsakiri (eds.), The protection of the rights of women: International Instruments at universal and regional level [in Greek], No. 2 Publications of UNESCO Chair University of Macedonia- Director: P. Naskou-Perraki (Ant. N. Sakkoulas, Athens-Komotini, 2008)
- P. Naskou-Perraki (with the contribution of K. Chainoglou, M. Vagias), Protection mechanisms of human rights: International Instruments, theory and practice [in Greek], No. 3 Publications of UNESCO Chair University of Macedonia- Director: P. Naskou-Perraki (Ant. N. Sakkoulas, Athens-Komotini, 2008)
- Children’s etiquette in everyday contact with disabled people, [in Greek] (The Secretary General of Communications and Ministry of Press, Athens-Komotini, 2008)
- P. Naskou-Perraki, (with the contribution of K. Chainoglou, M. Vagias, S. Katsoulis), International Mechanisms Protecting Human Rights: Texts, comments and case law, [in English] No. 4 Publications of UNESCO Chair University of Macedonia- Director: P. Naskou-Perraki (Ant. N. Sakkoulas, Athens-Komotini, 2010)
IV. Outcomes
Due to the lack of interest that students showed to the module “Intercultural Educational Policy”, the module “Cultural Diplomacy” has been introduced with great success. As the students of our Department aim in pursuing high-profile careers in diplomacy, policy-making, governance, international organisations, ministries, international economic institutions, and other relevant organisations, they felt that the module of “Cultural Diplomacy” which largely covers the multilateral intercultural policies on the protection of human rights, suited best their interests and their career prospects.
V. Forthcoming Activities
The following books are in preparation and due to be published:
a. The book on UNESCO (in Greek) is almost ready. We are trying to find a sponsor for the publication, otherwise we will distribute it in a CD form.
b. The protection of the rights of women. International instruments at universal and regional level (P. Naskou-Perraki, K. Chainoglou, eds), [in English].
c. The importance of Intercultural Policy for the right to education in Greece [in Greek]
d. Antonia Zervaki, “The concept of world cultural and natural heritage: The contribution of UNESCO”, No. 5 Publications of UNESCO Chair University of Macedonia- Director: P. Naskou-Perraki (Ant. N. Sakkoulas, Athens-Komotini, 2010) [in Greek]
VI. Development prospects
The UNESCO Chair is working feverously towards publishing a book on the right to education. Also, the UNESCO Chair is in the process of establishing networks for raising awareness on the protection of the rights of vulnerable groups, i.e. immigrants, refugees, etc.
Annexes Sources of financial and material contributions
Annex 1
Host Institution/Financial Contribution/Material Resources/Venue: University of Macedonia
Partner university/ institution
Governmental body√
Other public institution√
UNESCO√
Other UN Agencies √ (UNRIC)
Other international organisations√
IGOs
NGOs√
Industry
Other private sources
Annex 2
Target groups
Target group
Male √
Female√
Undergraduate students √
Graduate students √
Postgraduate students √
Academics√
Public administrators √
Employees from industry or other private organizations (please, specify)
Teachers from primary education √
Teachers from secondary education √
Teachers from technical and vocational education √
Teachers from adult education
Others groups (Please specify): NGOs, Youth Groups, Representatives of Civil Society √
Geographical Coverage
National and Regional √
P. Naskou –Perraki
Professor/Director of UNESCO Chair