The Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens has received a new international distinction, as Professor Emmanouil Pikoulis has been awarded the Jean Monnet Chair in “Peace-building Health Diplomacy” for the 2025–2028 period. The award marks the second Jean Monnet Chair granted to the School, reinforcing its growing influence in humanitarian health, crisis response and medical diplomacy.

The activities of the new Chair will be carried out both in Athens and at the University’s branch in Cyprus. According to the institution, this cross-border structure aims to deepen academic cooperation, enhance mobility for students and researchers, and strengthen regional networks focused on health and stability.

A Chair Shaped by Global Challenges

The recognition comes at a time of acute international pressures — from conflicts and population displacement to pandemics and climate-related risks. These challenges highlight the need for innovative approaches that link public health to peace-building and demonstrate how humanitarian interventions can foster trust, dialogue and social cohesion.

The initiative aligns with the World Health Organization’s Global Health and Peace Initiative, which emphasizes the role of public health systems in supporting stability and long-term resilience.

Building on Earlier Achievements

This new Chair follows Professor Pikoulis’s earlier distinction under the Jean Monnet program for “EU Humanitarian Medicine and Response in Action”, further cementing the University of Athens’s commitment to advancing humanitarian health, European cooperation and peace diplomacy.

Strengthening EU-Focused Education and Research

Jean Monnet actions form part of Erasmus+, the EU program supporting teaching, research and dialogue on key European issues. Through the new Chair, the University aims to introduce model methodologies that integrate peace-sensitive practices into public health, helping communities strengthen resilience and prevent conflict.