Re-think! Ideas Forum

A green compass for Greece: society, economy, ecology

This year we celebrate the 10th anniversary of our presence in Greece with a two-day event full of ideas, inspiration, discussions and actions!

The way we live and co-exist, the patterns in which we produce and consume, the impact we have on our physical environment, the indicators that define the role of the economy… As all countries across the globe and within the European Union in particular, Greece is confronted with the challenge to reconsider its approach on all of the above en route to a more sustainable future. But these transformative times find Greece coming out of a long financial crisis followed by the pandemic that have triggered fundamental changes in its societal dynamics. This new reality combined with the urgency to mitigate the effects of the climate crisis that are already significant and will even escalate in the future in the Mediterranean call actually for a socio-ecological transformation. At the same time growing pressure against human and fundamental rights in Greece and the region is a severe challenge, at a time characterized by lack of solidarity from other EU capitals.

On the first day, 29 June 2022, at the 'Re-think' Ideas Forum, leading experts, decision makers and civil society representatives will examine how the economy can recover a sense of public purpose, why is it urgent to bridge the urban-rural divide, why is it essential to set the foundations for energy democracy, how we can truly empower open and inclusive communities and safeguard human rights and democracy at all levels.

On the second day, 30 June 2022, together with our partners we are inviting you to a number of events in selected spots across Thessaloniki ('Re-act'), trying to show how the above ideas can be put into practice.

PROGRAM | 29 June 2022 | Thessaloniki Concert Hall - M2 (25th Martiou & Paralia)

8:30-9:30 Registration & welcome coffee
 
9:30-9:35 Opening remarks

    Michalis Goudis, Director of the Heinrich Böll Stiftung Office Thessaloniki

9:35-9:45 Warm up Q & A session (Mentimeter)

9:45 – 11:00 Keynote session: Opening new paths in politics: radical municipalism in Barcelona and beyond
Keynote Speech by Laura Roth, Academic researcher, activist
The keynote will be followed by a discussion

11:00-11:30 Coffee break + Speed dating round 1

11:30-12:45 Panel session: Dealing with the urban-rural divide

12:45-13:45  Lunch break

13:45-15:00 Panel Session: Paving the way for Energy Democracy

15:00-15:30 Coffee break + Speed dating round 2

15:30-16:45 Panel Session: Empowering open, inclusive communities

16:45-17:00 Concluding session

Discussion-takeaways:

    Alexia Kalaitzi, Event Moderator
    Michalis Goudis, Director of Heinrich Böll Stiftung Office Thessaloniki

A more detailed agenda, information on the sessions, speakers' profiles can be found here.

Entry is free upon registration (top right button).

Simultaneous interpretation English-Greek and Greek-English will be provided.