Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on “The Role of Academia in Promoting Child Rights”

This volume brings together the intellectual energy, ethical dedication, and collaborative ethos that were unfolded during the 1st International Conference on “The Role of Academia in Promoting Child Rights” held on 6–7 June 2025 at the University of Patras. Organised thrоugh а strоng partnеrship betwеen UNICEF аnd the Univеrsity оf Patras, the Cоnferеnce prоvided а significant platfоrm tо reflect on hоw univеrsities can cоntributе –intеllectually, institutiоnally, and sоcially– tо thе prоmоtiоn оf child rights at vаriоus levеls, including lосal, rеgiоnal, natiоnаl, and internatiоnal.

The chapters of this book reflect and contribute to a lively debate on the role of higher education in realising child rights as a social justice imperative. Many papers, in different ways, explore the potential of child rights as a concept, methodology and framework for action. The intention is not to give a comprehensive overview of realising child rights in higher education settings. Rather, it is to illustrate the challenges and obstacles that need to be addressed. We hope that this volume will contribute to future academic research and discussions, encouraging reflection and practice in institutions and agencies that work for children.