“The establishment of the History Observatory in the context of the Greek Chairmanship of the Council of Europe is an initiative aimed at fostering the understanding and teaching of History and the principles represented by the Council of Europe, bringing peoples ever closer together,” Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Miltiadis Varvitsiotis underscored today in his address of the informal online Conference of Education Ministers of the Council of Europe.
Speaking in his capacity as Chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, and thanking, in particular, the French European Affairs Minister, Amelie de Montchalin, for this particular initiative, Mr. Varvitsiotis stressed that the teaching of History is an extremely delicate and sensitive part of young people’s education. “History should unify rather than divide. It should create citizens who are informed and aware, who respect the principles and values of our traditions, but at the same time do not fear diversity,” he highlighted.
Mr. Varvitsiotis also spoke of the importance of another binding text, the Athens Declaration, which is to be adopted in the “birthplace of Democracy,” Athens, on 4 November. The Declaration is an initiative of the Greek Chairmanship of the Council of Europe, and it is aimed at effective handling of emergencies like pandemics, leaving an important legacy for younger generations.
Today’s online meeting took place in the context of the initiatives of the Greek Chairmanship of the Council of Europe and was chaired by Greece’s Education and Religious Affairs Minister, Niki Kerameus. Sophia Zacharaki, Greece’s Deputy Education and Religious Affairs Minister, Marija Pejčinović Burić, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, and Mariya Gabriel, European Union Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, also participated in the conference.
October 29, 2020