Press Release
With dynamic participation and promises for the future, was completed on February 22, in Lesbos, the two-day educational action "IncludU" on the promotion of European values among young people for an open and democratic Europe, organized by the Jean Monnet Chair in European Policies for Education, Training, Research and Innovation, of the University of Piraeus in collaboration with the department of Educational Broadcasting of the Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs, the Jean Monnet Chair of the Aegean University and the Experimental Lyceum of the Aegean University.
The action was part of the European Erasmus + - Jean Monnet "Include European Union Values" program with scientific coordinator Dr. Foteini Asderaki, Assistant Professor of the Department of International and European Studies, University of Piraeus. At the heart of the program are lying the fundamental values of the European Union, the respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality and human rights for all European citizens, including those belonging to minorities.
The content of the program included, among other things, information about the European Union as well as general discussion on current challenges for Europe's future and problems fueled by the current crisis, such as the refugee crisis, social inclusion, youth unemployment and social inequalities.
Students and teachers had the opportunity to interact with Erasmus students, men of the Coast Guard and Syrian refugees as well as participate in a series of interactive and experiential workshops and simulation exercises organized by students of the International and European Studies Department and members of the youth organizations AEGEE, JEF, MUN group, ESN and AISEC.
The teacher training included the creation of visual collage with messages of support for the refugees, which they published massively in public view at the end of the event.
Upon completion of the event, the students expressed their satisfaction both for the content of the program and the newfound experience as well as their desire to participate in similar future actions.
Among the attendees was the vice mayor of Lesbos, Mr. Tzimis Efstratios, the regional governor Mrs. Kalogirou Christina and the regional director of education of North Aegean, Mr. Kalargalis Aristeidis.
Greeting of Vice Mayor Mr. Tzimis Evstratiou
Ladies and gentlemen, dear colleagues and university teachers,
on behalf of the Mayor Mr Galinos, I congratulate the education institutions that organized this two-day seminar on the prevalence, on both political and social level, of the European values, currently being tested due to the refugee crisis, the social inequality, the unemployment, even the terrorist acts.
Mr Dean,
it is an honor for our community, not only because of your university participating in this program, but also because it is taking place on the island of Lesbos which has rescued the values, culture and spirit of Europe, during the refugee crisis, teaching humanity and solidarity.
Ladies and gentlemen,
the island of Lesbos has always been a timeless pioneer of spirit and culture. From the beginning of its history, the residents of this land received the vague world of the east and formed a philosophy that was focused on humanity and emotions, values that were the foundation of the European culture and that will be debated today by reputable teachers and researchers.
I wish you success in your work, the conclusions of which will contribute in shaping the educational policy of our country.
Greeting of the North Aegean Region Governor CHRISTIANA D. KALOGIROU
Ladies and gentlemen,
Dear friends,
We welcome you all to today's event.
It is not only welcomed, but also necessary, today, an ongoing debate regarding Europe. Europe is not a geographical space. It is a place of values. It is a place of social rights. Of political freedom and Democracy. A place of creative conflict and continuous search. Europe is an open world. It was founded and established on these values and only by conserving them it can extend its existence. It is often being said, today, that Europe is going through a test phase. This test can be proved reinvigorating. A period of crisis that generates a new era.
Therefore, I consider particularly important the meaning of this symposium on the promotion of the European values among young people, for an open and Democratic Europe.
The information and discussion on the current challenges for Europe's future and perspective and the search of answers to the problems of our age, is the only fruitful method to understand as well as find solutions.
This is the only way we can take a fresh look at the contemporary issues, such as the refugee crisis, the social inclusion, the youth unemployment and the social inequalities.
he contact of pupils, students and teachers with these issues and their participation in such training courses, provide great utility, especially in the present phase.
Knowledge and participation are the best support to this unprecedented historic attempt in progress, such as the EU project. Nothing is built on its own people are those who build and those who create. I hope that this workshop is productive and useful for everyone.
I thank you all.
The two-day training seminar was the second of a total of three taking place across the country, that aim to create an interactive environment through which universities, schools, youth non-governmental organizations, municipalities, regional authorities, cultural organizations, volunteers and students will become aware, discuss and participate in constructing an even more familiar, democratic and globally oriented Europe, united in its cultural diversity and enriched through it, developing in this way the concept of the EU citizenship. The main concern is to foster a sense of European identity, based on common values, history and culture, which will help young people to approach the European Union and to improve mutual understanding between European citizens through respecting and promoting cultural and linguistic diversity, while contributing to intercultural dialogue.
The two-day program involved a total of 80 students and 27 teachers from the Lyceum of Agiasos and the Experimental Lyceum of the Aegean University.
Gallery
1st Day
2nd Day
