The Summer Program in Human Rights Law, Policy and Practice: Britain, Greece and the EU was organized by Study in Greece in collaboration with the Department of Law at Goldsmiths University of London, the British Council and academics from four Greek universities – Harokopio University Athens, Athens University of Economics and Business, Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, University of Macedonia for the second consecutive year.

The one-week intensive program offered a variety of classes and cultural events, offering participants the opportunity combine future-focused learning with cultural immersion in Greece’s culture and lifestyle.

Taught by outstanding professors and subject-matter specialists, the program’s courses included topics like human rights in Greece and Europe, the 2009–2018 financial crisis in Greece, the 2015 refugee crisis, the asylum system and a brief history of migration, between others. 

The students also had the opportunity to explore the landmarks of Athens, such as the Acropolis, the Acropolis Museum, the Greek Parliament and the Athens Conservatory, as well as to enjoy carefree moments discovering some of Attica’s most beautiful places like the coast of Vouliagmeni, the picturesque Mikrolimano and of course Koukaki and other neighborhoods of the capital of Greece.

A farewell event and reception hosted by the British Council in Kolonaki, Athens, marked the ideal finish of the program.  Maria Tsakali, head of Education at British Council coordinator, thanked all of the participants and the program’s organizers. This is yet another demonstration of how prominent Greek and British universities can continue to uphold excellent and fruitful partnerships within the framework of the UK-Greece Strategic Partnership in Education program.

Professor Christos Michalakelis, President of Study in Greece, reaffirmed the significance of the internationalization of Greek Higher Education and the way initiatives like this promote and enrich it. Professor Dimitrios Giannoulopoulos, Head of the Law Department at Goldsmiths University of London, then expressed his gratitude to the Greek side for their hospitality and the lecturers for their lectures providing an overview of the course.

The summer school’s co-organizers received greetings and congratulations from the British Ambassador to Greece, Mr. Matthew Lodge, for their joint initiative and teamwork, which resulted in a surprise at the event’s conclusion with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Athens University of Economics and Business and Goldsmiths University of London. The University of Economics and Business was represented by the Professor and Vice-Rector for International Cooperation and Development, Vassilis Papadakis. The event was also attended by the Rector of Harokopio University Athens, Ms. Mara Nikolaidou and Professor Maria Meng – Papantoni from Panteion University.

The event concluded with the awarding of the students’ certificates followed by a reception.