The aim of the Conference is to explore the ways in which the values ​​of Human Rights and Democratic Culture can be applied in practice, as well as the challenges they face in a rapidly changing world. At the same time, it aspires to be a field of substantive dialogue between scholars, researchers, educators and professionals from Greece and abroad, with an emphasis on issues of identity, participation, social justice and the rule of law.
We are pleased to announce that Michael Pikramenos (President of the Council of State) and Villano Qiriazi, (Head of Education of the Council of Europe) will attend the conference as keynote speakers.
Attendance at the Conference is free. We invite you to attend the conference by registering via the official website:
https://int.conference.mademocracyedu.theol.uoa.gr/
This procedure is necessary for the smooth running of the Conference, as places are limited.
You can find the conference program here:
https://int.conference.mademocracyedu.theol.uoa.gr/%cf%80%cf%81%cf%8c%ce%b3%cf%81%ce%b1%ce%bc%ce%bc%ce%b1/
For any clarification, please contact: mademocracy@theol.uoa.gr

The post Registration for the International Conference on Human Rights and Democratic Culture appeared first on Εκπα.

Get to Know the Joint Master’s Programme “Identity, Education and Competences for Democratic Culture”

The Joint Master’s Programme “Identity, Education and Competences for Democratic Culture”, offered by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens in collaboration with the European Wergeland Centre, is organizing its first online Open Day on March 31, 2026, via Zoom.

The Programme is implemented in cooperation with the European Wergeland Centre of the Council of Europe and the Norwegian Government and is offered with distinct Greek-language and English-language study tracks, providing pedagogical and teaching certification as well as flexible 100% online studies.

📅 Event Schedule (Greek Time)

• 🕔 17:15–18:15 | Greek-language session

• 🕡 18:30–19:40 | English-language session

The event is designed as an open meeting to introduce the Master’s Programme and its academic community. Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about the Programme’s structure and academic philosophy, as well as interact directly with the Programme Director, Μάριος Κουκουνάρας Λιάγκης.

During the Open Day, the following will be presented:

• The structure of the Programme

• The three specializations

• The 100% online learning model (75% synchronous – 25% asynchronous learning)

• The weekly academic rhythm

• International collaborations

• Scholarships and financial support opportunities

• The application process

The presentation will conclude with a live Q&A session.

The Open Day is addressed to current and future educators, university students, and professionals interested in postgraduate studies in the fields of democratic culture, education, and human rights.

Participation is free of charge, with prior registration required via the following form:
https://forms.gle/CaEciNZHWf4xiTZWA

For further information, please contact:
📧 secr_MAdemocracy@theol.uoa.gr

The post Online Open Day- Master’s Program by the top greek University appeared first on Εκπα.

International Conference “Human Rights and Democratic Culture in Practice: Applications and Challenges”

 Athens, Greece | April 25-26, 2026

The Joint Master’s Programme “Identity, Education and Competences for Democratic Culture” (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens & European Wergeland Centre) and the Marangopoulos Foundation for Human Rights are pleased to invite submissions for the International Conference to be held in Athens, Greece, on April 25-26, 2026.

The conference seeks to explore how the principles of Human Rights and Democratic Culture can be implemented in real-world contexts and to examine the challenges they face in a rapidly changing world. It aims to serve as an international platform for dialogue and exchange of good practices among academics, researchers, educators, civil society professionals, policy-makers, and students.

We welcome original research papers, theoretical explorations, and practical applications on the following (non-exhaustive) thematic axes:

1. Philosophical and Sociological Dimensions

• The identity of the citizen in the 21st century
• Human rights and democracy under pressure
• Artificial intelligence and human rights challenges
• Sociology of diversity and gender identities
• Multicultural interpretations of human rights

2. Education and Democratic Culture

• Education for cultivating competences for democratic culture
• Innovative pedagogical practices and intercultural coexistence
• Empowering educators
• Inclusion and access to education for all

3. Rule of Law and Democratic Culture

• Independence of the Judiciary
• Police violence and the rule of law
• Hate crimes and discrimination
• Freedom of expression, fake news, and SLAPP lawsuits
• Transparency and combating corruption

All abstracts and full papers submitted will undergo double-blind peer review. Accepted contributions will be included in the Conference Proceedings (with open-access publication) and authors will receive certificates of presentation.

Submission Guidelines

• Abstracts should be 300–400 words (excluding references) and clearly state objectives, methodology, and key findings.
• Abstracts may be submitted in either Greek or English.
• Submit your abstract online here: https://int.conference.mademocracyedu.theol.uoa.gr/en/presentation-submission/

Important Dates

• Abstract Submission Deadline: January 31, 2026
• Notification of Acceptance: max 60 days after submission
• Registration Opens: January 10, 2026
• Conference Dates: April 25-26, 2026
• Full Paper Submission Deadline (for proceedings): May 31, 2026

We look forward to welcoming you to Athens and having a fruitful and inspiring conference!

Venue: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (central building) & School of Law

Programme & Key Note Speakers: to be announced

Contact Information 

Conference Contact email: MAdemocracy@theol.uoa.gr

Conference website: https://int.conference.mademocracyedu.theol.uoa.gr/en/home/

Conference Registrations: to be announced

Organizing Institutions:

• Joint MA Programme “Identity, Education and Competences for Democratic Culture” (NKUA & EWC)
• Marangopoulos Foundation for Human Rights (MFHR)

The post International Conference “Human Rights and Democratic Culture in Practice: Applications and Challenges” appeared first on Εκπα.

International Conference “Human Rights and Democratic Culture in Practice: Applications and Challenges”

 Athens, Greece | April 25-26, 2026

The Joint Master’s Programme “Identity, Education and Competences for Democratic Culture” (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens & European Wergeland Centre) and the Marangopoulos Foundation for Human Rights are pleased to invite submissions for the International Conference to be held in Athens, Greece, on April 25-26, 2026.

The conference seeks to explore how the principles of Human Rights and Democratic Culture can be implemented in real-world contexts and to examine the challenges they face in a rapidly changing world. It aims to serve as an international platform for dialogue and exchange of good practices among academics, researchers, educators, civil society professionals, policy-makers, and students.

We welcome original research papers, theoretical explorations, and practical applications on the following (non-exhaustive) thematic axes:

1. Philosophical and Sociological Dimensions

• The identity of the citizen in the 21st century
• Human rights and democracy under pressure
• Artificial intelligence and human rights challenges
• Sociology of diversity and gender identities
• Multicultural interpretations of human rights

2. Education and Democratic Culture

• Education for cultivating competences for democratic culture
• Innovative pedagogical practices and intercultural coexistence
• Empowering educators
• Inclusion and access to education for all

3. Rule of Law and Democratic Culture

• Independence of the Judiciary
• Police violence and the rule of law
• Hate crimes and discrimination
• Freedom of expression, fake news, and SLAPP lawsuits
• Transparency and combating corruption

All abstracts and full papers submitted will undergo double-blind peer review. Accepted contributions will be included in the Conference Proceedings (with open-access publication) and authors will receive certificates of presentation.

Submission Guidelines

• Abstracts should be 300–400 words (excluding references) and clearly state objectives, methodology, and key findings.
• Abstracts may be submitted in either Greek or English.
• Submit your abstract online here: https://int.conference.mademocracyedu.theol.uoa.gr/en/presentation-submission/

Important Dates

• Abstract Submission Deadline: January 31, 2026
• Notification of Acceptance: max 60 days after submission
• Registration Opens: January 10, 2026
• Conference Dates: April 25-26, 2026
• Full Paper Submission Deadline (for proceedings): May 31, 2026

We look forward to welcoming you to Athens and having a fruitful and inspiring conference!

Venue: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (central building) & School of Law

Programme & Key Note Speakers: to be announced

Contact Information 

Conference Contact email: MAdemocracy@theol.uoa.gr

Conference website: https://int.conference.mademocracyedu.theol.uoa.gr/en/home/

Conference Registrations: to be announced

Organizing Institutions:

• Joint MA Programme “Identity, Education and Competences for Democratic Culture” (NKUA & EWC)
• Marangopoulos Foundation for Human Rights (MFHR)

The post International Conference “Human Rights and Democratic Culture in Practice: Applications and Challenges” appeared first on Εκπα.

The Joint Master’s Program “Identity, Education, and Competences for Democratic Culture” (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens & European Wergeland Centre) is delighted to announce that, following evaluation of the applications submitted and interviews with a special three-member committee, Eleni Evangelineli has been awarded the annual European Wergeland Centre scholarship.

Short bio

Eleni Evangelineli is a graduate of the Pedagogical Department of Primary Education at the University of Thessaly and a postgraduate student in the programme “Identity, Education and Competences for Democratic Culture” at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. During her studies she participated in the Erasmus+ programme in Denmark (VIA University College), where she attended an international teacher education class and completed a teaching internship in multicultural school environments. In parallel, she was a member of her department’s voluntary socio-pedagogical practicum programme, supporting pupils in a public primary school in Greece.

Her research interests focus on inclusion and educational equity, with particular emphasis on the social and educational inclusion of Roma women. She has participated in a Developmental Psychology research group and has taken part in national and international academic conferences, presenting work related to identity, educational experiences and the social exclusion of Roma communities.

The post Announcement of the European Wergeland Centre scholarship for the academic year 2025-2026 appeared first on Εκπα.

The International online Master’s Program “Identity, Education, and Competences for Democratic Culture” of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) and the European Wergeland Centre (EWC) continues to offer free webinars open to the public during the current academic year (2025-2026).

The first webinar in this year’s series will take place on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, from 18.00-19.30 (ΕΕΤ), on the topic:

“Systematic Literature Reviews: The What’s and the How’s for Transparent Research”

presented by the internationally renowned clinical experimental psycholinguist Dr. Gerasimos Chatzidamianos, a specialist in research, clinical practice, and social inclusion, with an emphasis on supporting minority groups and accessibility to mental health services.

During the webinar, Dr. Chatzidamianos will focus on:

• the nature and methodology of systematic literature reviews (SLRs),
• the basic stages of design and implementation,
• the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and other international standards.

The webinar will be conducted in English and is ideal for students, researchers, scientists, and professionals interested in scientific research methodology and transparency in systematic reviews.

Please note that there is the participation is free of charge, and a certificate of attendance will be provided upon completion.

You can register for the webinar here

Short CV: Dr. Gerasimos Chatzidamianos is a clinical experimental psycholinguist with more than 25 years of experience in education, research, and clinical practice. He is an Associate Professor of Psychology and Communication in Mental Health at the American College of Greece – Deree, while also teaching as a Visiting Professor at Manchester Metropolitan University (UK) and as an Associate Faculty Member at the Hellenic Open University. His research focuses on the human experience, with a particular emphasis on mental health and deafness, communication, and the social factors that shape well-being. He is known for his commitment to supporting diverse and vulnerable groups, promoting inclusion, accessibility to mental health services, and ethical research.

For any clarification, please contact the Secretariat by email at: secr_MAdemocracy@theol.uoa.gr

or by phone at +30 210-7275705 (Mon-Wedn-Friday 11 am-2pm)

Media Partners:

The post Open Webinar on Systematic Literature Review December 2025 appeared first on Εκπα.

The International online Master’s Program “Identity, Education, and Competences for Democratic Culture” of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) and the European Wergeland Centre (EWC) continues to offer free webinars open to the public during the current academic year (2025-2026).

The first webinar in this year’s series will take place on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, from 18.00-19.30 (ΕΕΤ), on the topic:

“Systematic Literature Reviews: The What’s and the How’s for Transparent Research”

presented by the internationally renowned clinical experimental psycholinguist Dr. Gerasimos Chatzidamianos, a specialist in research, clinical practice, and social inclusion, with an emphasis on supporting minority groups and accessibility to mental health services.

During the webinar, Dr. Chatzidamianos will focus on:

• the nature and methodology of systematic literature reviews (SLRs),
• the basic stages of design and implementation,
• the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and other international standards.

The webinar will be conducted in English and is ideal for students, researchers, scientists, and professionals interested in scientific research methodology and transparency in systematic reviews.

Please note that there is the participation is free of charge, and a certificate of attendance will be provided upon completion.

You can register for the webinar here

Short CV: Dr. Gerasimos Chatzidamianos is a clinical experimental psycholinguist with more than 25 years of experience in education, research, and clinical practice. He is an Associate Professor of Psychology and Communication in Mental Health at the American College of Greece – Deree, while also teaching as a Visiting Professor at Manchester Metropolitan University (UK) and as an Associate Faculty Member at the Hellenic Open University. His research focuses on the human experience, with a particular emphasis on mental health and deafness, communication, and the social factors that shape well-being. He is known for his commitment to supporting diverse and vulnerable groups, promoting inclusion, accessibility to mental health services, and ethical research.

For any clarification, please contact the Secretariat by email at: secr_MAdemocracy@theol.uoa.gr

or by phone at +30 210-7275705 (Mon-Wedn-Friday 11 am-2pm)

Media Partners:

The post Open Webinar on Systematic Literature Review December 2025 appeared first on Εκπα.

The webinar will take place on Monday, 16 February, 18:00–19:30 (Greek time) focusing on practical experiences and challenges of using the RFCDC in training and educational contexts, including teacher education, non-formal learning, work with migrants, anti-Roma racism training, and the use of customized AI tools aligned with the RFCDC.

Short bio:
Calin Rus is Director of the Intercultural Institute of Timisoara and Associate Professor at the Department of Education of the West University of Timisoara. He holds a PhD in Social Psychology and has extensive experience in Intercultural Education, Education for Democratic Citizenship, Human Rights Education, digital citizenship, and the use of ICT and AI in education. He has been a consultant for the Council of Europe since 1998 and a member of the expert group that developed the Reference Framework of Competences for Democratic Culture (RFCDC).

• Language: English
• Participation is free of charge.
• In order to attend the webinar it is necessary to fill out the form here
• Streaming via YouTube.
• A participation certificate will be provided.

For any inquiries you can contact the MA Program’s Secretariat at secr_MAdemocracy@theol.uoa.gr

The post Open Webinar February 2026 with Calin Rus appeared first on Εκπα.

The webinars will be held in English. Participation in the webinars is free of charge.

A certificate of attendance will be provided.

The webinars’ schedule:

1st Webinar 9/12/2024, 18.00-19.30 (EET): “The Reference Framework of Competences for Democratic Culture (RFCDC): The political and policy context behind the RFCDC, its creation, and the vision for its implementation” with Martyn Barrett, Emeritus Professor of Psychology at the University of Surrey, England.

2nd Webinar 17/2/2025, 18.00-19.30 (EET): “The Versatility of Human Rights Education” with Dr. Felisa Tibbits, Assistant Professor at Columbia University and Visiting Professor at Nelson Mandela University (South Africa).

3rd Webinar 31/3/2025, 18.00-19.30 (EET): “Three Whys of Navigating for Democratic Culture Through Education: From Identity to Action in the Context of the SDGS” with Dr. Angela K. Salmon, Associate Professor, Early Childhood Education, Department of Teaching and Learning, Fulbright Global Scholar 2024-2025, College of Arts, Sciences, and Education (CASE).

———————–

Registration for the 1st webinar is now open!

Monday, December 9, 2024, 18.00-19.30 (EET)

The Reference Framework of Competences for Democratic Culture (RFCDC): The political and policy context behind the RFCDC, its creation, and the vision for its implementation with Martyn Barrett.

You can register here:

https://forms.gle/HSA22imHiKgkJRnh9

A call for the next seminars will be issued in the following months.

Martyn Barrett- Short CV 

Martyn Barrett is Emeritus Professor of Psychology at the University of Surrey, UK. His research interests include the development of intercultural, democratic and global competence, young people’s civic and political engagement, and the role of education in preparing young people for active citizenship in culturally diverse democratic societies. He works as an expert for the Council of Europe, and in this capacity he led the expert group that developed the Reference Framework of Competences for Democratic Culture.

The post Webinars of the Master Program December 2024 – March 2025 appeared first on Εκπα.

The webinars will be held in English. Participation is free of charge.

A certificate of attendance will be provided.

The 1st Webinar is scheduled for December 9, 2024, 18.00-19.30 (EET), on the topic of “The Reference Framework of Competences for Democratic Culture (RFCDC): The political and policy context behind the RFCDC, its creation, and the vision for its implementation” with Martyn Barrett, Emeritus Professor of Psychology at the University of Surrey, England.

You can register here:

https://forms.gle/HSA22imHiKgkJRnh9

A call for the next seminars will be issued in the following months.

Martyn Barrett- Short CV 

Martyn Barrett is Emeritus Professor of Psychology at the University of Surrey, UK. His research interests include the development of intercultural, democratic and global competence, young people’s civic and political engagement, and the role of education in preparing young people for active citizenship in culturally diverse democratic societies. He works as an expert for the Council of Europe, and in this capacity he led the expert group that developed the Reference Framework of Competences for Democratic Culture.

The post Webinar of the Master Program by Martyn Barrett appeared first on Εκπα.