UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in Greece and the Department of Communication and Media Studies of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens have this month signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish and strengthen their cooperation on communications and forced displacement. The initial focus of the cooperation will be […]
UNHCR’s Representative in Greece, Philippe Leclerc (left) and the Head of Department of Communication and Media Studies of Athens University, Professor George Pleios, sign the Memorandum of Understanding. © UNHCR/Stella Nanou
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in Greece and the Department of Communication and Media Studies of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens have this month signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish and strengthen their cooperation on communications and forced displacement.
The initial focus of the cooperation will be in the University’s new postgraduate programme (MSc) in “Media and Refugee/Migration Flows,” aimed at helping to educate and train the next generation of communicators on forced displacement. The agreement also foresees closer collaboration in the development and implementation of research studies, organization of public conferences and seminars, and introduction of scholarship programmes for refugees in Greece.
“We welcome this new partnership with the University of Athens and look forward to embarking on joint activities to promote academic work, positive advocacy, awareness-raising and education opportunities for refugees, which can contribute to their self-reliance and integration prospects,” said UNHCR’s Representative in Greece, Philippe Leclerc. “Investing in training for future journalists and communication specialists who deal with forced displacement issues is an important endeavour, especially nowadays with divisive and toxic rhetoric being on the rise. That’s why we are glad to be part of this effort,” he added.
On his part, the Head of Department of Communication and Media Studies, Professor George Pleios, thanked UNHCR for the support and reminded of the important role that communications have in refugee/forced displacement issues.
“The way journalists and other communications professionals cover or present refugees and migrants has an important impact on the lives of these people, their acceptance by society and the promotion of a culture of tolerance. Ultimately, an accurate, balanced and informed representation of such issues in the public sphere can contribute to addressing the challenges and problems that may arise in relation to the refugee and migration management”, Prof. Pleios said.
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