The UNESCO Centre was established formally in February 2001 and was marked by the visit of the Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura and the NI Minister for Further and Higher Education, Dr Séan Farren. The Centre is a recognised research centre within the University and received significant funding from Atlantic Philanthropies to support research and development work in education for pluralism, human rights and democracy.
Total income for the five-year period (2002-07) has been £5,820,305. Over 30 projects have been completed.
Professor Alan Smith
Chairholder, UNESCO Chair in Education for Pluralism, Human Rights and Democracy
Professor Alan Smith is Chairholder of the UNESCO Chair at the University of Ulster and an Advisory Professor at the Hong Kong Institute of Education. His work includes research on education and conflict, young people's understanding of human rights and the development of social, civic and political education. He was a UK representative to the Council of Europe and a British Council visiting fellow to Nigeria and Indonesia. He has completed a report on ‘Education, Conflict and International Development’ for DFID and has been a consultant for International Alert, UNESCO, UNICEF and the World Bank in Bosnia, Nepal and Sri Lanka. His current research includes an ESRC project on teacher education and a three-year International Development programme at the University of Ulster funded by DFID.
