Unitas Foundation
| Founded | 2008 |
|---|---|
| Founders | Mart Laar, Meelis Niinepuu, Damian von Stauffenberg |
| Focus | Education, Research, Public Awareness |
| Location | |
| Slogan | Building reconciliation within and between societies divided by totalitarianism. |
| Website |
www |
The Unitas Foundation is an Estonian-based apolitical and supranational foundation that focuses its activities on engaging youth, supporting research and raising public awareness in the field of history, the politics of memory and related social issues. The foundation was established in 2008, its headquarters is located in Tallinn.[1] The current CEO of the foundation is Sandra Vokk. It is a founding member of the Platform of European Memory and Conscience,[2] an educational project of the European Union bringing together government institutions and organisations mainly from the EU, active in research, documentation, awareness raising and education concerning the crimes of totalitarian regimes.
Founders and mission
The Unitas Foundation was established in 2008 by Mart Laar, Meelis Niinepuu and Damian von Stauffenberg.[3] Its mission is to build reconciliation within and between societies divided by totalitarianism. The foundation condemns totalitarianism regardless of time and place and engages primarily in research, education and awareness raising activities. It values the protection and universality of human rights, and the rule of law.[4]
The Unitas Foundation is dedicated to improving knowledge and understanding of the scope of severe human rights violations committed by totalitarian regimes over the last century. To address the issues of totalitarianism and its social significance, and raise awareness of its full extent, the foundation encourages research into communist regimes, and leads and supports activities that support this mission.[5]
The foundation works with researchers and experts in history, political science, education, international law and other related fields. It values education, openness and innovation in fulfilling its mission.[6]
Programmes
The foundation fulfils its mission by engaging with youth, experts & researchers, and the general public. These groups also define its three programmes:[7]
- Engaging Youth - The foundation believes a good citizen understands how the past shapes the present and assumes an active role in improving her environment. The goal of this programme is to provide youth the necessary experience, know-how and attitudes to do so.
- Involving Experts and Researchers - This programme actively engages with teachers, researchers and other experts in human rights and history education. The foundation develops and produces educational materials and resources, organises teacher trainings, facilitates research and works with relevant policy makers to ensure a balanced coverage of regional history in the education systems.
- Raising Awareness - The Foundation encourages public discourse in the politics of memory in order to maintain an open and balanced discussion of contemporary history. This is done through organising remembrance events and articles, holding conferences, public lectures and seminars, and running various social and civic campaigns.
Finances
The foundation's activities are mainly financed by European public institutions, as well as individual and organizational donors.[8]
Publications
The following articles about the Unitas Foundation were published in English language:
2013:
Study: Baltic Sea Region back in the classrooms[9]
On Communist Crimes, Human Rights and Overcoming the Past[10]
References
- ↑ "Contact". Unitas Foundation. Retrieved 2013-10-07.
- ↑ "Platform members list | Platform of European Memory and Conscience". Memoryandconscience.eu. 2011-08-18. Retrieved 2013-10-07.
- ↑ "Founders". Unitas Foundation. Retrieved 2014-03-10.
- ↑ "About Us". Unitas Foundation. Retrieved 2014-03-10.
- ↑ "About Us". Unitas Foundation. Retrieved 2014-03-10.
- ↑ "About Us". Unitas Foundation. Retrieved 2014-03-10.
- ↑ "Activities". Unitas Foundation. Retrieved 2014-03-10.
- ↑ "About Us". Unitas Foundation. Retrieved 2014-03-10.
- ↑ "Study: Baltic Sea Region back in the classrooms. NewsWave, February 2013". NewsWave. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
- ↑ "On Communist Crimes, Human Rights and Overcoming the Past. New Eastern Europe, March 2013". New Eastern Europe. Retrieved 27 March 2014.