Neapolis University Pafos Joins the Council of Europe’s OCEAN Academic Network

Neapolis University Pafos has joined the Open Council of Europe Academic Networks (OCEAN) as an institutional member, becoming part of the Council of Europe’s academic network focusing on human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

About OCEAN

OCEAN brings together universities, research institutions and academics from the 46 member states of the Council of Europe. Its aim is to promote the creation and exchange of knowledge around more than 200 Council of Europe conventions and to strengthen their links with university teaching, research and academic activities.

Membership in OCEAN is based on three main commitments: upholding the principles and values of the Council of Europe and the European Convention on Human Rights, integrating the Council of Europe’s treaty system into university teaching, and promoting relevant research and the dissemination of its results.

What OCEAN membership means for Neapolis University Pafos

Membership in OCEAN creates new opportunities for students, academics and researchers at Neapolis University Pafos. These include access to the Council of Europe’s HELP Programme for the training of legal professionals in human rights, opportunities to participate in the European Court of Human Rights’ study visit programme, access to Council of Europe experts and monitoring mechanisms, as well as opportunities to promote academic activities and research through the network.

The University’s membership builds on its existing academic activities in the fields of human rights, democracy and international law. A central role in the membership process was played by the NUP Human Rights Observatory. Its Head, Dr Eleni Gavriil, will serve as the University’s contact point with OCEAN.

As part of its participation in the network, the University will also seek to develop synergies with the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence AI-2-TRACE-CRIME, directed by Dr Georgios Pavlidis.

OCEAN membership also provides a framework for integrating the Council of Europe’s work and expertise into teaching and research at the School of Law and the Department of History, Politics and International Studies, at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels.

Through its participation in OCEAN, Neapolis University Pafos will make use of the opportunities offered by the network to develop academic activities, support research and contribute to the European academic dialogue on human rights, democracy and the rule of law.