• Leaflet: Child Friendly Justice in Greece: Best Practices from the Hellenic Ministry of Justice
• Infographics on RE: MIND and Mock Trials
• Presentation “National best practices in the field of child-Friendly Justice in Greece”
• Πρόγραμμα RE: MIND
• MOCK TRIALS

PRESS RELEASE OF THE HELLENIC  MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

Positive Reception for the Hellenic Ministry of Justice's Innovative Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Program by representatives of the Plenary Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and notably from the Head of the Children's Rights Division of the Council of Europe, Agnis von Maravić.

In a special event held today, January 26, 2026, Greece, represented by the Ministry of Justice, presented a comprehensive action plan for the prevention and addressing of juvenile delinquency. This initiative is part of the Ministry's participation in the joint program 'Joint project European Union and Council of Europe for Child Friendly Justice.' The presentation featured the pioneering educational program 'Juvenile Mock Trials' and the innovative interactive program for the psycho- education and social skills empowerment of juvenile offenders, RE:MIND. The latter utilizes engagement with works of ancient Greek literature, world literature, and philosophical texts, and has been recognized as a distinguished best practice in the Council of Europe Handbook titled 'The State of Child- Friendly Justice in Europe'.

In presence of the Minister of Justice, Giorgos Floridis, the implementation team of this  program- under the scientific coordination of Ms. Eftychia Katsigaraki,Head of the General Directorate of Special Legal Affairs of the Hellenic Ministry of Justice, Independent Expert of the Council of Europe, and member of the ENF- VAE and ENF-JUS committees- highlighted the significance our Country attaches to substantive Child-Friendly Justice. The team presented pioneering actions, grounded in the principles of equality, fair trial, and human rights, as protected by the Convention on the Rights of the Child (Articles 3, 12, 28, 29, 37, 40).

In his salutation, the Minister of Justice, Giorgos Floridis, stated:

"Child-friendly Justice is not merely limited to the application of the law; it incorporates innovation, cooperation, and the meaningful participation of children themselves. Through empowerment, delinquency prevention, and social reintegration—utilizing digital platforms, experiential programs, and interdisciplinary collaborations—the Justice system is transformed into a vehicle for rights and opportunities. This fosters democratic conscience, empathy, and respect for the Rule of Law, while empowering children to emerge as active citizens, co-shaping the democracy and the future they deserve."

The President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Theodoros Rousopoulos, in a message sent for the occasion, emphasized:

"Child-Friendly Justice lies at the core of the values promoted by the Council of Europe. It concerns not only the legal protection of children but also how our democracies choose to treat them when they come into contact with the justice system. The Council of Europe Guidelines on Child-Friendly Justice make it clear that children must be heard, understand what is happening to them, and be able to participate safely in proceedings. Justice should not expect children to adapt to its procedures; Justice itself must adapt to the needs and rights of the child, always guided by their best interests. In Greece, Child-Friendly Justice has become a national priority. Of particular importance is the transition from fragmented and often burdensome procedures to a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach that brings together judicial authorities, social services, and mental health professionals."

The Head of the General Directorate for Special Legal Affairs of the Ministry of Justice, Eftychia Katsigaraki, during the presentation of the actions, stated:

"The active participation of children in the Justice process fosters responsible citizens and strengthens a society of respect and equality before the law. Guided by the best practices in Child-Friendly Justice, as highlighted through the RE:MIND psycho-educational program and the Juvenile Mock Trials, the Ministry's vision is for the child to be at the heart of policies for preventing and addressing juvenile delinquency, because 'the education of justice begins where the child is heard and learns to respect.' Finally, I deem it absolutely necessary to mention that the implementation of these initiatives is based on the collective and pro bono participation of experts from both the field of Justice and four University Institutions of our country, to whom we express our gratitude  for their contribution."

Within the framework of the RE:MIND program presentation, the Professor of Psychiatry, Dr. Charalambos Papageorgiou, elaborated on the scientific foundations of the intervention, focusing on neuroplasticity during adolescence and post- adolescence as a critical opportunity for psychosocial reorganization and rehabilitation of youth with delinquent behavior.

Subsequently, Dr. Vasiliki Varela presented the structure and functional architecture of the program, as well as its theoretical grounds in the concept of Homo Narrans. Emphasis was placed on the utilization of storytelling and Socratic dialogue as tools for enhancing reflection, moral judgment, and emotional regulation in young people, through a culturally inclusive framework adapted to the identity and lived experience of each participant.

Professor of the Department of Digital Systems at the University of Piraeus, Dr. Symeon Retalis, stated:

"With modern digital means, and particularly with the contribution of Artificial Intelligence and new forms of storytelling, pedagogically well-designed educational material based on excerpts from Greek and international literature can be presented in a familiar and engaging way to a generation that lives daily with social media and the internet."

It is noted that the first two-day educational initiative of the Ministry of Justice, titled "Juvenile Mock Trials," featuring the participation of students and judicial officers, was successfully held in Chania last November. Regarding this initiative, the President of the Chania Bar Association, Agapi Mikrou, and the coordinator of the action for the Chania Bar Association, Maria Agiasmenaki, spoke, highlighting the significant pedagogical and social benefits for the students. Specifically:

The President of the Chania Bar Association, Agapi Mikrou, stated:

"The two-day educational initiative of the Ministry of Justice, 'Juvenile Mock Trials,' held in Chania, highlighted the particularly constructive results of the partnership between four entities: the Ministry of Justice, the Court of First Instance of Chania, the Chania Bar Association, and the Directorate of Secondary Education. This collaboration produced substantial results for the participants and the local community. The initiative confirmed that Justice should not be confined to suppression but ought to function in a social and pedagogical manner, contributing to the formation of active and conscientious citizens."

The coordinator of the initiative for the Chania Bar Association, Maria Agiasmenaki, Attorney at Law, emphasized:

"Within the framework of this innovative action, students had the opportunity to learn about the historical evolution of justice. Particular emphasis was placed on rhetoric, both as a means of seeking the truth and as a tool for demagogy, through the study of iconic texts of Ancient Greek literature, such as Plato’s 'Apology of Socrates' and the mock defenses of Palamedes and Helen, as presented by Gorgias. Lawrence Kohlberg’s theory of moral development was developed and approached through the 'Heinz dilemma.' The initiative offered significant pedagogical and social benefits to the students, providing them with a substantial and experiential learning opportunity, while essentially contributing to the cultivation of critical thinking and the democratic conscience of the participants, who responded with enthusiasm and showed particular interest."