Petros Stangos named Knight of the French Order of Academic Palms

Photo - Nick Stagkos

Professor Petros Stangos was presented with his medal for the prestigious Chevalier in l’Ordre des Palmes académiques by the Consul General of France in Thessaloniki, Mr. Jean-Luc Lavaud.

Emeritus Professor at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece), Petros Stangos was a 2020 Fellow of the University of Strasbourg Institute for Advanced Study (USIAS) and, among many other functions during his career, vice-president of the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) from 2013-2016. During the award ceremony on 13 December 2024, Mr. Jean-Luc Lavaud the Consul General of France in Thessaloniki, decorated Professor Stangos with his medal of Knight of the Order of Academic Palms. He concluded the award speech with the words: “Your unwavering dedication to the creation of an institutional human rights system within the European Union and your continued cooperation with France throughout your illustrious career are an inspiration to us all.”

Full speech and more photos of the ceremony

Academic Palms are an honour awarded by the French government to academics and educators. Originally created by Napoleon I in 1808, the Order is comprised of three grades – Knight, Officer and Commander. Academic palms may be given to foreigners or French expatriates who actively contribute to the expansion of French culture worldwide.