UNESCO Chair "Human Rights, Democracy and Peace", University of Padova

The UNESCO Chair “Human Rights, Democracy and Peace” has been established in 1999 with an agreement between UNESCO and the University of Padova and it carries out its educational and research activities in organic coordination with the University Human Rights Centre.

The main objective of the Chair (as set forth in art. 2 of the Agreement) has been from the outset that of promoting an integrated system of research, training, information and documentation activities in the field of human rights, democracy and peace.

This objective has been pursued over the last thirty years through a variety of initiatives, launched in joint venture with the Human Rights Centre which hosts the Chair, including conferences, seminars and webinars, international campaigns, support to research and dissemination.

The Chair is strongly engaged with UNESCO’s mission, especially as far as human rights education and research, intercultural dialogue and the promotion of a culture of peace are concerned.

Professor Antonio Papisca, founding father of the Human Rightes Centre of the University of Padova and the European Master Degree in Human Rights and Democratisation, held the UNESCO Chair from 1999 to 2017. 

Since 2018 the Chair holder is Marco Mascia, professor of International Relations at the Department of Political Science, Law and International Studies of the University of Padova, President of the Human Rights Centre "Antonio Papisca", Coordinator of the Italian Network of Universities for Peace.