Il Centro Diritti Umani dell’Università di Padova compie 25 anni guardando avanti

The 25th Birthday of the Human Rights Centre of the University of Padua: Looking Ahead

Antonio Papisca

The author tributes deep gratitude to the Assembly of the Region of Veneto recalling the motto of the Region’s flag, the same of the ancient «Serenissima» Republic of Venice: Pax Tibi Marce, Evangelista Meus (Peace to you, o Mark, my evangelist). Then he presents a survey of main activities and events that mark the functioning of the Interdepartmental Centre on Human Rights and the Rights of Peoplessince its establishment in 1982. It is the first specialised structure in re human rights to be formally grounded in the university system in Italy  and one of the first in the international system. Its main task was to develop teaching and research in the academic milieux in close relationship with school establishments, local governments and civil society organisations and movements. The author stresses the fact that cooperation with the Region of Veneto has been constant and fertile, carried out in the framework of the Regional Bill of 1989 especially devoted to promote human rights and the culture of positive peace. The author highlights some relevant «infractuctural» achievements, such as the establishment of degree and master courses on human rights as well as the creation in 1997 of the European Master Degree in Human Rights and Democratisation, E.MA, based in Venice and cofinanced by the European Union and the Region of Veneto. The last part of the essay summarises the philosophy that the Centre, mainly through research activites, has been able to elaborate so far, with special reference to topics like the democratisation of international institutions, educational curricula for peace and human rights, the international role of local governments, the concept of plural
democracy and inclusive city, the intercultural and interreligious dialogue.