Main Projects / Activities

Since its establishment, the UNESCO Chair on Threats to Cultural Heritage and Cultural Heritage-related Activities at the Ionian University has made significant strides in identifying and addressing various threats to cultural heritage, both man-made and natural. Key achievements include:
1.Educational Initiatives: The Chair has actively contributed to the establishment of academic programs aimed at advancing education and research in cultural heritage protection. Specifically, it has supported the establishment of the Lifelong Learning and Education program "Cultural Heritage and Tourism: Protection and Sustainability", which provides specialized training and continuous education opportunities in the field. Additionally, it has supported the creation of a Master’s Program in "Security and Cultural Heritage Studies” that offers interdisciplinary studies on cultural heritage and security challenges in a global context. Furthermore, the Chair has facilitated the Joint Doctoral Program of the Ionian University (Greece) and Beijing Language and Culture University (China) in "Cultural Heritage studies, in Sinology and Chinese Studies, and in Translation and Interpreting Studies", focusing on heritage protection and cultural research connecting China and Greece. Moreover, the Chair has supported the establishment of the Hellenic Sinology Centre of the Ionian University.
Furthermore, the Chair has participated in various educational initiatives. For instance, in 2022, UNESCO Campus invited for the first time students of three European universities. The UNESCO Chair TCHER was honoured to be invited to participate with a group of students, which was supported and prepared by members of its Steering and Scientific Committees.
2.Research and Publications: The Chair has published the first issue of the "THREATS Briefing on Cultural Heritage Security" in March 2023. A biennial issue is about to be published in September 2025. During these years, Members of the Steering and Scientific Committees of the Chair have been actively involved in academic conferences, publications in books and journals as well as conference proceedings. For instance, in 2024, Chairholder Professor Katsios and Member of the Chair’s Steering Committee Associate Professor Chainoglou contributed with a chapter entitled “Threats to Cultural Heritage: Normative Developments on AI and Cultural Heritage” to the book “Recreating Creativity, Reinventing Inventiveness”, Routledge.
3.International Collaborations: The Chair has built a diverse network of partnerships at both local and international levels, strengthening its research, educational, and community engagement initiatives. Locally and nationally, the Chair collaborates with the Corfu Port Authority, supporting efforts to integrate cultural heritage protection within infrastructure and tourism development. It also works closely with Culture Polis, a non-governmental organization promoting cultural sustainability and social innovation. The Museum of Asian Art in Corfu is another key partner, contributing to the study and preservation of global cultural heritage. Additionally, the Chair engages with the Association of Parents, Guardians, and Friends of People with Disabilities 'Melissa,' promoting inclusive cultural heritage initiatives. The Sinies Cultural Association further supports local cultural activities, while the Greek section of the International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts (CIOFF) enhances the Chair’s efforts in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage.
On an international level, the Chair partners with the Corfu Literary Festival, bridging literature and heritage preservation through cross-cultural dialogue. Collaboration with the UNESCO Chair for Digital Heritage at the Cyprus University of Technology strengthens its digital preservation efforts. Furthermore, its partnership with the Buckingham University Centre for Security and Intelligence Studies supports research on the intersection of cultural heritage and security.
Also, the Chair has recently become a member of the Living Heritage Network, an initiative of the Directorate of Modern Cultural and Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, promoting communication and exchange of ideas for the protection and promotion of cultural heritage.
4.Community Engagement: Efforts to connect activities with primary and secondary education include informational sessions and podcasts on cultural heritage protection and sustainability, fostering a culture of awareness from a young age. For example, in February 2025, Chairholder Professor Katsios participated in the podcast series of the Human Rights Working Group of the 3rd High School of Corfu, Greece.
5.Conferences and Events: During these years, the Chair has (co-)organized and supported various events. For instance, in March 2022, upon a joint initiative of the Chair holder Professor Katsios and the Head of the Department Professor Livas, and Chair’s Steering Committee Member Professor Elena Avramidou (PKU) organised a series of 3 webinars on Greek studies and translation in China. On March 15, 2023, the Chair co-organised with the Department of Archives, Library Science and Museum Studies of the Ionian University a hybrid workshop entitled "Threats to Cultural Heritage: normative and ethical approaches and contradictions".