Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University (BSU) has become the first university in Georgia to join the Children’s Rights European Academic Network (CREAN), one of Europe’s leading academic networks dedicated to the promotion of children’s rights. Batumi State University submitted its application for membership in April 2025.

The Rector of Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University, Tite Aroshidze, met with Jesper Møller, Representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Georgia. During this introductory meeting, the participants reviewed the achievements of the Children’s Rights Center and discussed its future strategic priorities and areas for development.
The parties agreed to organize the Fourth International Conference on Early Childhood Education and Care, which will be hosted by Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University. As in previous years, the conference will be jointly organized by the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport of Georgia, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, UNICEF, and Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University.

Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University (BSU) hosted representatives of Children’s Rights Centres from universities across Georgia. The two-day meeting was held at the Batumi State University Child Rights Centre and focused on defining a vision for the sustainable development of the centres, identifying priority areas and strategic directions, assessing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and potential challenges, and developing tailored action plans for each centre.

Participants of the 2024 meeting of the Network of Children’s Rights Centres of Georgian Universities, together with child rights advocates, signed the Declaration on the Establishment of the Academic Network for Children’s Rights.
The newly established academic network aims to create a supportive environment for academic inquiry, research, and advocacy focused on strengthening the realization of children’s rights. Members will use the network as a platform for exchanging ideas, practices, perspectives, experiences, and resources in the fields of children’s rights promotion and protection.

A debate dedicated to International Children’s Day was held at the Child Rights Centre of the Faculty of Exact Sciences and Education at Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University. The debate focused on the topic “What Do We Know About Children’s Rights?”
The event aimed to increase awareness of the Children’s Rights Centre and encourage the active involvement of students and school pupils in developing the Centre’s future vision and activities. The debate brought together Batumi State University academic staff, students, teachers, and pupils from Batumi Public Schools No. 3, No. 6, and No. 15, as well as students and teachers from the private school “UG School.”