The Armenian State Pedagogical University (ASPU) hosted representatives of UNICEF led by the UNICEF’s Representative in Armenia, Dr. Ghassan Khalil.

During a meeting with acting Rector of the Armenian State Pedagogical University Araksia Svajyan, the parties considered the opportunities for the expansion of cooperation and implementation of joint programs, particularly the founding of a Child Rights Centre at the University.

Araksia Svajyan noted that it is a great honor to host UNICEF’s delegation with such representation. She highlighted the fact that the University has had something to do with the institution’s activities through various initiatives and that this meeting could become the foundation for more co-ordinated and institutional cooperation.

The acting Rector attached importance to discussions on joint programs and initiatives, emphasizing that the prospects for cooperation may foster improvement of the quality of teacher education.

According to her, the Armenian State Pedagogical University prepares specialists who will go on to play a pivotal role in the protection and exercise of the rights of the child, including in the areas of education, psychological support, as well as special and inclusive education. According to her, in this regard, the cooperation with UNICEF is of important significance.

Ghassan Khalil emphasized that his visit to the Armenian State Pedagogical University is his first visit to a university in Armenia. Khalil noted that in different phases of his career, he has always attached importance to the close cooperation with university and academic circles — the role of universities in shaping a culture of protection of the rights of the child.

Sharing the international practice, Ghassan Khalil touched upon the initiatives that are underway for protection of the rights of the child. According to him, this collaboration can help shape and strengthen a new culture. He also noted that, at his initiative, the idea of creating Child Rights Centres within universities has developed in different countries. Today, there is an international network including 63 universities from different continents of the globe.

The Centres not only foster the dissemination of knowledge about protection of the rights of the child, but also shape platforms for academic cooperation and exchange of experience.

Khalil expressed willingness to support the initiative of creating a Child Rights Centre within the Armenian State Pedagogical University, emphasizing that the establishment of the Centre is not only the formation of an institutional structure, but also a major step in making protection of the rights of the child a priority.

The procedures for establishment of the Centre, the main directions for activities, the engagement of specialists and the possibilities of effectiveness were considered during the meeting.

Ghassan Khalil also informed that it is planned to organize an event devoted to the participation of academic circles in the protection of the rights of the child and wished that the event would be hosted by the Armenian State Pedagogical University.

Araksia Svajyan presented the possible directions for the development of cooperation, attaching importance to the possibility of establishing a Child Rights Centre within the ASPU and the introduction of elective courses related to child rights in the university education programs.

The launch of cooperation with the ASPU was heralded by Ghassan Khalil’s lecture entitled “The Rights of the Child in the Academic Sector”.

During the lecture, the speaker touched upon the ideology, principles and approaches underlying the establishment of Child Rights Centres and talked about the significance of their activities.