On 21 May 2022, at 11:00, the Children’s Rights Centre of Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University (BSU), with the support of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), organized an online scientific conference entitled “Children’s Rights and a Safe School.”

Holding a conference on 21 May, the World Day for Cultural Diversity, has become an established tradition at the Faculty of Exact Sciences and Education of Batumi State University. The annual event focuses on promoting children’s rights, creating safe school environments, combating hate speech and discrimination, and emphasizing the principle that unity can be achieved through diversity.

The conference brought together students from Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University and St. Tbel Abuseridze Teaching University, as well as pupils and teachers from Batumi Public Schools No. 1, No. 3, and No. 13, and private schools “Euro-2000” and “UG School.”

The participants were welcomed by Professor Lela Turmanidze, Dean of the Faculty of Exact Sciences and Education, and Professor Tamar Siradze, Vice Rector of Batumi State University.

The conference featured presentations on a wide range of topics related to children’s rights and education, including:

·         Safe Schools and International Experience

·         The Role of Digital Technologies in Protecting Children’s Rights

·         Child Labour Exploitation

·         The 21st Century: New Challenges

·         The Impact of the School Emotional Environment on the Teaching and Learning Process

·         “I Have the Right…”: Stigmatization of Children with Disabilities and Ways to Overcome It

·         The Role of the School Psychologist in Protecting Children’s Rights

·         Creating a Bullying-Free Environment

Following the presentations, participants engaged in a discussion on the challenges facing children’s rights protection and the development of safe and inclusive educational environments.

The conference was attended by representatives of the Batumi State University administration, the Department of Pedagogical Sciences, the Language Centre, the Public Relations Office, university academic staff, teachers from public and private schools, as well as representatives of the Children’s Rights Knowledge Centre of Batumi State University.  At the conclusion of the conference, participants expressed their gratitude to UNICEF Georgia representatives for their continuous support and cooperation in advancing children’s rights education and promoting safe and inclusive learning environments.