York´s UNESCO Chair Charles Hopkins and Chair Coordinator Katrin Kohl are invited to speak at a commemorative symposium at Sophia University (Japan) to take place online and in person on 28/29 February 2024. Charles Hopkins is designated as the guest of honour for the ceremonial opening of the UNESCO Chair.

Sophia University has recently been awarded a UNESCO Chair on Education for Human Dignity, Peace and Sustainability and is bringing together partners from Canada, Colombia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and the United States, to share insights and develop activities addressing the interdependent challenges of today’s increasing complex world.

This symposium will discuss the roles of UNESCO Chairs in transformation of education with representatives from UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok and Sophia UNESCO Chair’s 8 partner institutions: Asia-Europe Foundation, Asia Pacific Center of Education for International Understanding, Boston College, Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology, Ateneo de Manila University, International Islamic University Malaysia, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Studies for Sustainability.