On Tuesday, 19 May 2026, in the Meeting Room of the Rectorate of Hellenic Mediterranean University (HMU), the amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding between Hellenic Mediterranean University and the United Nations Children’s Fund — UNICEF was signed.
The amendment to the Memorandum concerns the strengthening of cooperation between the two parties for the establishment of a Child Rights Centre at Hellenic Mediterranean University, which will be hosted by the Department of Social Work of the Institution. The initiative is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda, a universal plan of action for the promotion of sustainable development, equality, peace and social well-being.
On behalf of Hellenic Mediterranean University, the meeting was attended by the Rector, Professor Nikos Katsarakis; the Executive Director, Dr. Vanessa Simantiraki; the Chair of the Department of Social Work, Associate Professor Maria Papadakaki; and the Vice-Chair of the Department, Professor Giorgos Markakis. On behalf of UNICEF, the meeting was attended by the UNICEF Representative in Greece, Dr. Ghassan Khalil; the Education Officer of the UNICEF Greece Country Office, Mr. Giorgos Simopoulos; and the Executive Assistant to the Representative, Ms. Kleopatra Laina.
The Child Rights Centre to be established will have as its main objectives the production of knowledge, research, data and evidence on issues concerning children’s rights; the dissemination of relevant knowledge through information and awareness-raising activities; and the integration of a children’s rights perspective into the academic, teaching and research activities of the University.
The Rector of Hellenic Mediterranean University, Professor Nikos Katsarakis, stated: “A University has the responsibility to defend human and children’s rights and to contribute, through knowledge, research and its social mission, to the design of public policies that promote equality, inclusion and the protection of the most vulnerable groups. In this context, we are particularly pleased that, through the teaching, research and important work of the Department of Social Work of Hellenic Mediterranean University, we are able to host the Center for Children’s Rights at our Institution, in cooperation with UNICEF.”
The UNICEF Representative in Greece, Dr. Ghassan Khalil, stated: “UNICEF is very pleased and proud to have signed this Memorandum of Understanding with the Hellenic Mediterranean University, because a Child Rights Centre can bring many benefits to both the community and society. This Memorandum of Understanding stems from the Hellenic Mediterranean University’s commitment and UNICEF’s global mandate to defend children’s rights in every society, and that is why we believe very much in this collaboration.”
