Avignon Centre for Education and Diplomacy Formally Aligned with International Legal Frameworks

The Office of Count Jonathan of Aquitaine has issued a communiqué reaffirming the mission of the Centre for Education and Diplomacy in Avignon, established in August 2025. The Centre represents a lasting commitment to education, cultural dialogue, and humanitarian service, now explicitly framed within the world's most important charters and conventions of international law.

Operating under the sovereignty of the Republic of Aquitaine, a sovereign non-state government with a constitutional framework authenticated under the Hague Apostille Convention, the Centre aligns with the Republic's mission of education, diplomacy, and humanitarian service. The institution advances peaceful cooperation between peoples while contributing to international cultural life through its three foundational pillars: education, diplomacy, and humanitarian service.

The Centre situates its mission within the United Nations Charter (1945), particularly Article 1, which establishes purposes of maintaining international peace, developing friendly relations among nations, and achieving international cooperation in solving cultural, educational, and humanitarian challenges. This alignment ensures the Centre reflects compliance with binding purposes of the international order rather than mere aspiration.

Affirming the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), the Centre recognizes Article 26 guaranteeing the right to education and Article 27 guaranteeing the right to participate in cultural life. These provisions affirm the Centre's dual role as both an educational and cultural institution, echoing the Republic of Aquitaine's commitment to human dignity.

The Centre acknowledges the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, focusing particularly on SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). These goals establish an internationally recognized framework to which the Centre's initiatives naturally contribute, reinforcing global engagement. Additional grounding comes from harmonization with the Constitution of UNESCO (1945), which charges the world community with advancing collaboration through education, science, and culture to foster peace.

As an institution located in Europe, the Centre draws from the European Cultural Convention (1954), which commits members to safeguard and encourage cultural cooperation across the continent. Situated in Avignon, a city with centuries of diplomatic history, the Centre embodies this European commitment. The Republic of Aquitaine's authority is reinforced by adherence to Hague-based instruments, including the Hague Apostille Convention (1961), which authenticates legal acts across borders, underscoring the Centre's legitimacy within the international legal framework.

The Centre's structured approach through its three pillars—promoting access to knowledge across cultures, offering forums for diplomatic dialogue that strengthen mutual respect, and supporting cultural and charitable endeavors consistent with international law—positions it as a significant contributor to global education and cultural diplomacy. This formal alignment with established international frameworks enhances the Centre's credibility and potential impact on international cooperation and cultural exchange.