Palazzo Zorzi Declaration of UNESCO science–related Chairs and Centers from South-East Europe and the Mediterranean, adopted on 28 October 2022 in Venice, Italy

1. Palazzo Zorzi Declaration of UNESCO science–related Chairs and Centers from South-East Europe and
the Mediterranean
Adopted on 28 October 2022 in Venice, Italy
Preamble
The 28 UNESCO science-related Chairs and Centers (see annex) from 8 countries participating in the First Regional meeting of the
UNESCO science-related chairs and Centers for South-East Europe and the Mediterranean, assembled in Venice, Italy, from 26 to 28
October 2022, though an interactive and co-creative approach, under the aegis of the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and
Culture in Europe,
Bearing in mind the importance of using knowledge from all fields of science, notably through science education, to address human
needs and aspirations in an equitable manner,
Underscoring the value of generating and sharing scientific knowledge to transform the knowledge commons and ensure open access
to information and data,
Recognizing that that many of the current most complex challenges need to be addressed through more than one approach and one
area of expertise in the sciences and beyond,
Convinced of the necessity of improving connections between science, research, education policies and practices for a sustainable
future,
Within the framework of UNESCO’s strategic priorities, notably UNESCO scientific programmes, as well as Agenda 2030 and other
internationally agreed upon goals,
Adopt the following declaration to
Emphasize the key Role of UNESCO science-related Chairs and Centers, notably
- to provide scientific knowledge, build capacity, support informed policy making and help in building a knowledge society, leaving
no one behind;
- to help connect different scales from local to global, and support internationalization of higher education;
- to act as key agents and promoters of open science and responsible digital innovation notably open and distance-learning
higher education also aiming to reduce the digital gap;
- to promote participatory approaches so that the wider public better understands and can cooperate with UNESCO Chairs and
Centers to address wider societal challenges;

2. - to promote sustainability at the university, research organisation and institutional levels (e.g. through charters and whole institute
approach) and foster cross-sectoral, integrated, and interdisciplinary engagement and literacy.
Highlight the expertise and interdisciplinarity of UNESCO science-related Chairs and Centers, notably
- the importance for them to maintain strong sectoral specialized expertise, while contributing to interdisciplinary action of real
value, creating impact at national, regional and global levels;
- their role as promoters of interdisciplinary and holistic approaches to global challenges notably at city and UNESCO site scales.
Underscore how best to manage these networks, notably through
- the strengthening or constitution of thematic/dynamic groups of UNESCO science-related Chairs and Centers at the regional
and international levels based on demands of Member States and stakeholders;
- the creation of online platforms to co-create knowledge at regional and international scales including mapping of initiatives, best
practices and the promotion of joint projects and facilitating access to joint funding.
Emphasize the importance of an increased visibility of UNESCO science-related Chairs and Centers, notably
- with partners at all levels, including the UN system, to promote their catalytic role as key actors for the implementation of Agenda
2030 and the SDGs;
- with youth and young professionals, highlighting the diversity of UNESCO Chairs and Centers work, creating tutorials, through
summer schools, etc.;
- interacting with National Commissions at the country level

3. Annex 1: Participating UNESCO Chairs and Centers
1
UNITWIN Cooperation Programme: UNESCO Chair & International Network of Water-Environment Centres for the Balkans on "Sustainable Management
of Water and Conflict Resolution", Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GREECE
2 Centre on Integrated and Multi-Disciplinary Water Resources Management (AUTH), Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GREECE
3
UNESCO Chair on Conservation and Ecotourism of Riparian and Deltaic Ecosystems, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Institute of Technology, Kavala,
GREECE
4 UNESCO Chair on Climate Diplomacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, GREECE
5 Integrated and Multi-Disciplinary Water Resources Management Centre, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GREECE
6
UNESCO Chair and Network on Management and Education for Sustainable Development in the Mediterranean, National and Kapodistrian University of
Athens, GREECE
7 UNESCO Chair on Plants for Health in the Mediterranean Traditions, The University of Salerno, ITALY
8 UNESCO Chair on Innovative Sustainable Clean Energy Research and Education, University of Genova, ITALY
9 UNESCO Chair on Water Resources Management and Culture, University of Perugia, ITALY
10 UNESCO Chair on the prevention and sustainable management of geo-hydrological hazards, University of Florence, ITALY
11 UNESCO Interdisciplinary Chair in Biotechnology and Bioethics, University of Rome «Tor Vergata», ITALY
12 UNESCO Chair Anthropologie de la santé biosphère et systèmes de soins, University of Genova, ITALY
13 Network “Green Chemistry Excellence from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean and Beyond”, Ca' Foscari University, ITALY
14 UNESCO Chair on Training and Empowering Human Resources for Health Development in Resource-Limited Countries, University of Brescia, ITALY
15 UNESCO Chair on Intersectoral Safety for Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience, University of Udine, ITALY
16 UNESCO Chair on Water, Heritage and Sustainable Development, Ca' Foscari University, ITALY
17
International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Seismology (IZIIS), “Ss. Cyril and Methodius” University in Skopje, REPUBLIC OF
NORTH MACEDONIA
18 UNESCO Chair on Engineering for Society, Universitate POLITEHICA București, ROMANIA
19 UNESCO Chair on Science and Innovation Policies, National School of Political Studies and Public Administration, Bucharest, ROMANIA
20
International Centre for Advanced Training and Research in Physics (CIFRA) and UNESCO Chair on Sustainable Development through research and
education in modern physics, Horia Hulubei National Institute of Physics and Nuclear Engineering, Bucharest-Magurele , ROMANIA
21 UNESCO Chair in Water for Ecologically Sustainable Development, The University of Belgrade, SERBIA
22 International Research and Training Centre on Urban Drainage (IRTCUD), Belgrade, SERBIA
23 Centre for Water for Sustainable Development and Adaptation to Climate Change (WSDAC), Belgrade, SERBIA
24 International Research Centre on Artificial Intelligence, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, SLOVENIA
25 UNESCO Chair on Water-Related Disaster Risk Reduction, University of Ljubljana, SLOVENIA
26 UNESCO Chair on Open Technologies for Open Educational Resources and Open Education, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, SLOVENIA
27 IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, THE NETHERLANDS
28 UNESCO Chair in Distance Education, University of Brasília (UnB), BRASIL