EVENTS

The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens the School of Law and the Hellenic Society of International Law and International Relations (HSILIR) are organizing an event entitled:

«Democracy, the Rule of Law, Human Rights. The Council of Europe in the Face of Contemporary Challenges»

and the awarding ceremony conferring the “Lord Byron” Prize upon the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Mr. Alain Berset
that will take place on Monday, February 9, 2026 at 18:00 p.m. in the Great Hall of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (main Building, 30 Panepistimiou St).

Programme

Address by the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, International Relations, and Extroversion of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Professor Sophia Papaioannou.

Welcome address by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Alexandra Papadopoulou.

Welcome address by the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor Konstantinos Christodoulou.

Presentation of the work and personality of the keynote speaker by the former President of the European Court of Human Rights and
Professor at the Faculty of Law, Linos-Alexandros Sicilianos.

Keynote speech by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Mr. Alain Berset.

Awarding of the “Lord Byron” Prize

Address by the President of the Academy of Athens, Nikiforos Diamandouros, Professor Emeritus of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

Presentation of the award recipient and honorary reference to the Swiss Philhellenes, by the President of the Society for Hellenism and
Phihellenism, Mr. Konstantinos Velentzas.

Awarding of the “Lord Byron” Prize to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Mr. Alain Berset.

The event will be conducted in English

Invitation