Inspireurope Outreach Workshop, Thessaloniki, Greece September 30th 2020

The first Inspireurope outreach workshop in Greece, hosted by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), took place on Wednesday, September 30th in hybid format (online and face to face meetings) from 09.30-19.00 Greek local time (EEST).

The workshop brought together over 100 academics, HEI representatives, NGOs, national/EU representatives, representatives of professional/industry associations and researchers at risk along with the other Inspireurope project partners to share experience, information on existing support/funding programmes and good practices to promote cooperation across Europe in support of researchers at risk.

Presentations from each of the sessions are available below.

10.00 – 12.45 (EEST) Morning plenary session:

10.00 – 10.30: Welcome Remarks                        

• Nikos Papaioannou, Rector of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh), Professor of the School of Veterinary studies
• Keynote message by Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President: Promoting our European Way of Life

• Gregory Dimitriadis, Secretary General for International Economic Affairs, Chairman of the Board Enterprise Greece, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hellenic Republic
  Please click here for the  Transcript of Mr Dimitriadis’ speech
• Sinead O’Gorman, Director, Scholars at Risk Europe, Maynooth University, Ireland

To view a recording of the opening session, please see below:

10.30 – 11.00: ​Scientific knowledge and academics under persecution

• Konstantinos Tsitselikis, Dean of the School of Economic and Regional Studies, University of Macedonia

11:00 – 12.45: Building a culture of welcome at Greek universities
Moderator: Alexandros Triantafyllidis, Inspireurope local coordinator at AUTh, Associate Professor of the School of Biology
Speakers:

• Chrysi Vitsilaki, Rector of Aegean University, Professor of Preschool Education and Educational Planning Department  Please click here to view  Rector Vitsilaki’s presentation on Hosting Refugees in academic and other programmes of the University of the Aegean
• Mathieu Schneider, Vice-Président de l’Université de Strasbourg  Please click here to view  Prof. Schneider’s presentation on Welcoming Researchers at Risk to French Universities
• Henriette Stöber, Policy Analyst, EUA – European University Association: Please click here to view  Ms Stober’s Presentation on the Inspireurope Mapping Report
• Dionysios Chionis, Professor of Economics, Democritus University of Thrace  Please click here to view  Presentation by Prof. Chionis on the Terms and conditions of a successful cooperation with foreign researchers; the case of Greek Universities
• Ahmad Arash Hemati, Founder of Study in Greece & Sustainability coordinator of Volvo group Please click here to view  Ahmad Arash Hemati presentation on challenges for studying and post studying in Greece for refugees

To view a recording of the Morning Plenary Session, please click below:

13.30 – 15.30: Preparing the work environment in academia
Moderators: Ariadni Stogiannidou, Professor, School of Psychology, AUTH and Eleni Andrianopulu, BRiDGEs Project Coordinator, Bielefeld University
Speakers:

• Orla Duke, Programme Manager, Scholars at Risk Europe, Maynooth University, Ireland Please click here to view Ms Duke’s  Overview of funding opportunities/ academic placements in Europe for researchers at risk
• Eleni Andrianopulu, BRiDGEs Project Coordinator, Bielefeld University: Bridges for Researchers in Danger Going to Europe  Please click here to view Ms Andrianopulu’s  Presentation on academic mentoring and further results of the projects BRiDGE and BRiDGE II.
• Marit Egner, Senior Adviser, Office for Research and International Cooperation, Department of Research and Innovation Administration, University of Oslo  Please click her to view Ms. Egner’s  Presentation on the temporary university fellowship as a stepping-stone in career development
• Colette Gerards, Project Manager, International Cooperation Projects, VU Amsterdam  Please click here to view Ms Gerard’s  Presentation on the relationship between long term perspective of scholars and the labour market in host countries
• Christina Kontogoulidou, Head of International Relations Office, University of Piraeus  Please click here to view Ms. Kontogoulidou’s  Presentation on the inclusion of refugee students in all cycles of studies. The case of the University of Piraeus
• Cengiz Aktar, Lecturer, Faculty of Turkish Studies and Modern Asian Studies, University of Athens

To view a recording of the session on Preparing the work environment in academia, please click below:

16.00 – 18.00: ​Preparing the work environment in the non-academic sector
Moderators: Grigoris Zarotiadis, Dean of the School of Economics & Political Sciences AUTh and Despoina Syrri, Director of Symbiosis
Speakers:

• Despoina Syrri, Director, Symbiosis-School of Political Studies in Greece, Council of Europe Network
• Kleovoulos Theotokis, General Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Professional Chamber in Thessaloniki
• Spyros Ignatiadis, GeneralDirector of Greek Exporters Association (SEVE)  Please click here to view Mr Ignatiadis’  Presentation on Enhancing International Business via Triple Helix Model of Innovation
• Dimitrios Varadinis, Αttorney at Law- Legal Services Coordinator at Praksis NGO ; Please click here to view Mr Varadinis’  Presentation on Legal hurdles for integration in the labour market
• Christina Maligkoudi, School of Modern Greek Language, AUTh  Please click here to view Ms Maligkoudi’s  Presentation on language issues and access to the labour market
• Ioannis Katsikis, CEDEFOP, Refugee skills and labour market needs  Please click here to view Mr Katsikis’  Presentation on how matching can support lawful adult refugee mobility
• Mahmoud Abdelrasoul, Medical Doctor, Trainer of intercultural mediation, Greek Refugee Forum, Member of Board, Almasar General Director: A personal story

To view a recording of the session on Preparing the work environment in the non-academic sector, please click below: