The Centre’s goal is to promote and defend children’s rights through research, education and technology
The Institute of Informatics and Telecommunications (IIT) of the National Center for Scientific Research “Demokritos” in collaboration with the UNICEF Office in Greece announced on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, the establishment of a Child Rights Centre, which will be housed at the premises of NCSR “Demokritos,” following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two organizations. The MoU was signed by Dr. Vangelis Karkaletsis, Director of NCSR “Demokritos” and Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Dr. Ghassan Khalil, UNICEF Representative in Greece.
The Centre’s goal is to promote and defend children’s rights through research, education and technology, with a particular emphasis on the challenges and opportunities presented by the digital world.
The establishment of the Centre is part of UNICEF’s initiative to connect academia and research with society, guided by the principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. By August 2025, eleven (11) Child Rights Centres have been established at university institutions in the country, while the collaboration with NCSR “Demokritos” marks a pioneering step in research on children’s rights in the digital age.
The event focused on the actions and thematic areas developed by the Institute of Informatics & Telecommunications of NCSR “Demokritos,” focusing on the field of digital citizenship, including:
-The right to digital learning and education
-The protection of minors on the internet, with the participation of representatives of the Institute of Informatics and Telecommunications in the consultation on the Guidelines for the European Regulation on Digital Services (Digital Service Act)
-Artificial Intelligence and Education, with a view to protecting human rights and the rights of the child, democracy and the rule of law
-The cultivation of digital culture in the school community through actions that promote the familiarisation of community members with technology and the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence
-Media literacy through the creation of relevant educational material as well as the design and development of a chatbot system aimed at cultivating critical thinking in students to recognize misinformation tactics in text adapted for inclusion in the educational process.
The collaboration also includes the design and implementation of training programs in the field of digital citizenship aimed at schools that distinguished themselves in “The Lyceum Project” school competition in the summer of 2025, in which UNICEF participated by awarding a prize.
UNICEF Representative Dr. Ghassan Khalil spoke about the Convention on the Rights of the Child and digital citizenship, focusing on issues such as the safety and well-being of children online, as well as children’s rights in the online environment.
“The establishment of the Child Rights Centre at NCSR “Demokritos” is an important milestone in the cooperation between UNICEF and the research community in Greece. At a time when technology and artificial intelligence are increasingly shaping children’s everyday lives, it is vital to ensure that the digital world is a safe, inclusive and empowering space for every child. This collaboration highlights the role of science and innovation in protecting children’s rights and reinforces our commitment to promoting knowledge, education and critical thinking based on the principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child,” said the UNICEF Representative in Greece.
The Director of NCSR “Demokritos,” Vangelis Karkaletsis, said: “In the age of Artificial Intelligence and digital transition, children need knowledge, guidance and protection. Our collaboration with UNICEF aims to ensure that technology serves children’s rights and not the other way around. Through the Child Rights Centre, we aspire to bring together research, education and society, promoting actions that reinforce the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence and awareness of digital rights. This collaboration is not just about today. It is an investment in the future of children and the way they will shape the world of technology with safety and values.”
Article Credit: unicef