As part of its research activities, the Jean Monnet European Centre of Excellence, undertook, during 2010-13, to record the key points of a realistic “Greek plan” for the exit from the crisis that our country could adopt. The fruit of this effort, which was contributed by many scientists and experts, was the Study “Exiting the Crisis: Applicable Alternative Proposals” (Papazisis Publishers, Athens 2014), which focused primarily on the priorities and immediate actions of a national reconstruction plan, in order to maximize the real potential of our country.
One of the main conclusions that emerged was that tourism, agriculture and shipping are undoubtedly the priority areas of immediate return to the quickest exit from the crisis but also to fight galloping unemployment.
In this context, working groups were set up in the field of tourism, rural development and maritime policy of Greece. For the period, 2014-2017, the working groups have been upgraded to Research Units and each one is inspired by an interdisciplinary and policy-oriented approach, utilizing synergies between academics and experts. The aim is to formulate proposals as well as to practically contribute through educational and other training programs towards a Greek European Governance Policy in these areas, drawing on a comparative analysis of the best practices of other EU Member States and their appropriate implementation in Greek reality.
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European Tourism Unit
- Georgios Drakopoulos, General Director of the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises
- Ioannis Tzoannos, Professor at the Athens University of Economics and Business
- Pavlos Pezaros, Director of Agricultural Policy and Documentation – Ministry of Rural Development and Food
Aim
The aim of the European Tourism Unit is to contribute to the formation and implementation of a Greek Policy of European Governance in the tourism sector. The Unit aspires to pull together the efforts of renowned researchers in the country, to create synergies with the business world and the European tourism agencies and to address the potential of Greek youth available within the country. An emphasis will be placed on sustainable development and modern forms of tourism that can not only help Greece to exit the crisis as soon as possible, but will also ensure long term results. In addition, through our educational programmes, we aim for a more hands-on and applicable contribution in this area.
Topics
Within the Unit, two research groups, consisting of experienced faculty members and young PhD holders (including graduate students and PhD candidates), are already operating, while the addition of new areas of research is expected soon. Moreover, international collaborations between the Unit, European institutions and Universities are being completed. So far, the Unit’s researchers focus on the following topics:
- European tourism policy
- Education and Training in sustainable tourism in the EU – Certification systems
- New forms of tourism in the EU
- Tourism and Culture – Cultural Heritage Tourism
- Tourism Law
- Tourism, Renewable Energy Resources and Environment
In the context of the Unit’s projects, academic work is being prepared (Tourism Law), as well as the creation, in collaboration with other agencies, of a Centre and Network for sustainable tourism in Greece, which will utilize the experience of other EU member countries.
In the 2014-2015 academic year, specialized seminars concerning sustainable tourism were being held.
The team
Academic Supervisor
Professor Yannis Valinakis
Programme Coordinator
Dr. Panagiota Kouri
Academic Associates
Dr. Martha Chatziantoniou
Dimitra Papageorgiou, MA in Human Resource Management
- Events
In cooperation with internationally renowned academic staff, the European Tourism Unit organizes the International Conference “Tourism as a tool for sustainable growth” in the island of Kos (May, 1st-3rd , 2015 ), as well as the special Spring Seminar (Spring School) on Sustainable Tourism, in Kos, which will be held from 25 to 30 April 2015.
The Kos International Conference is also supported by: International Federation for IT and Travel & Tourism, Bournemouth University, European Tourism Association and the National Centre of Sustainable Development.
The International Scientific Committee consists of:
- Buhalis Dimitrios (Bournemouth University)
- Antonioli Magda (University of Bocconi – Italy)
- Clarke Alan (University of Pannonia – Hungary)
- Fyall Alan (University of Central Florida – USA)
- Inversini Alessandro (University of Bournemouth- United Kingdom)
- Kozak Metin (University of Bournemouth- United Kingdom)
- Ladkin Adele (University of Bournemouth – United Kingdom)
- Lubbe Berendien (University of Pretoria – South Africa)
- Litras Periklis (Technological Educational Institution of Athens, Greece)
- Mariani Marcello (University of Bologna – Italy)
- Michopoulou Eleni (University of Derby – United Kingdom)
- Okumus Fevzi (University of Central Florida – USA)
- Pantelidis Ioannis (University of Brighton – United Kingdom)
- Panyik Emese (Portuguese Catholic University – Portugal)
- Papathanassis Alexis (Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences – Germany)
- Parra Lopez Eduardo (University of la Laguna – Spain)
- Pedro Aurora (Bueno University of Valencia –Spain)
- Pirnar Ige (Dokuz Eylül University – Turkey)
- Ritalahti Jarmo (Haaga Helia University of Applied Sciences – Finland)
- Scott Noel (University of Queensland – Australia)
- Sigala Marianna (University of Aegean – Greece)
- Song Haiyan (Hong Kong Polytechnic University – China)
- Uysal Muzzo (Virginia Tech – USA)
- Vitouladiti Ourania (Technological Educational Institution of Athens-Greece)
- Mazaro Rosana (Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte – Brasil)
- Varvaressos Stelios (Technological Educational Institution of Athens-Greece)
- Mihalič Tanja (University of Ljubljana – Slovenia)
- Gretzel Ulrike (University of Wollongong – Australia)
- Minghetti Valeria (Università Ca’ Foscari Venezia, CISET – Italy)
- Zelia Breda (University of Aveiro – Portugal)
- Zheng Xiang (Virginia Tech – USA)
«Priority areas for a new development: Tourism, Shipping, Agriculture/Fisheries»
The event took place on Tuesday, the 27th of November 2012, at the Information Office of the European Parliament in Greece (8 Amalia Ave, Athens).
Speakers:
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- Georgios Drakopoulos, General Director of the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises
- Ioannis Tzoannos, Professor at the Athens University of Economics and Business
- Pavlos Pezaros, Director of Agricultural Policy and Documentation – Ministry of Rural Development and Food
«A coherent development prospect of Greece against the crisis»
The conference was held on Monday, the 2nd of July 2012, at the Information Office of the European Parliament in Greece (8, Amalia Ave, Athens).
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European Agricultural Unit
Aim
The aim of the European Agricultural Development Unit is to contribute to the formation and implementation of a Greek Policy of European Governance in the sector of agricultural development. The unit aspires to become a coherent link among science, agriculture, business and other agencies and the potential of our youth on a European, national and regional level. In addition, through our educational programmes, we aim for a more hands-on and applicable contribution in this area.
In the framework of the European 2020 strategy, a new prospect in agricultural development in Greece has been offered, which can contribute to sustainable development
Topics
1. The framework of the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
2. Employment opportunities in agriculture/funding opportunities
3. Opportunities/possibilities in vegetable production/greenhouse crops
4. Opportunities/possibilities in the production of aromatic plants
5. Opportunities/possibilities in livestock production
6. EU Budget (CAP, regional policy)
The team
Academic Supervisor
Professor Napoleon Maravegias
Academic Associates
Professor Leonidas Louloudis, Agricultural University of Athens
Professor Pavlos Karanikolas, Agricultural University of Athens
Professor Konstantinos Akoumianakis, Agricultural University of Athens
Professor Moschos Polisiou, Agricultural University of Athens
Professor Georgios Zervas, Agricultural University of Athens
Professor Konstantinos Tsiboukas, Agricultural University of Athens
Demetris Psaltopoulos, Assistant Professor at the University of Patras
Giannis Doukas, PhD in European and International Studies at the University of Athens
Experts
Pavlos Pezaros, Honorary Director of Rural Policy, Ministry of Rural Development and Food
Young researchers (undergraduate and graduate students, PhD candidates and PhD’s) take part in the research activities conducted by the aforementioned team.
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European Maritime Policy Unit
The aim of the European Maritime Policy Unit is to contribute to the formation and implementation of a Greek Policy of European Governance in the sector of maritime policy. In this direction, the Unit aims to highlight the Greek position, as reflected through the relation between institutional actors and the influence of pressure groups, to assess Greek efforts for the promotion of our country’s interests, in formulating or revising aspects of the European maritime policy, and to assess the implementation of agreements concluded on European maritime policy on behalf of Greece.
The Unit aspires to become a coherent link among, science, shipping, business and other agencies and the potential of our youth on a European, national and regional level. In addition, through our educational programmes, we aim for a more hands-on and applicable contribution in this area.
Topics
1. Geopolitical and energy transformations in the Eastern Mediterranean
2. Security of sea lanes of communication and energy supply in Europe. The role of Greece
3. Exclusive Economic Zone: energy and fisheries
4. Shipping
5. Maritime Policy
The team
Academic Supervisor
Dr Marina Skordeli, Director of the Jean Monnet European Centre of Excellence
Academic Associates
Professor Yannis Valinakis
Professor Ioannis Tzoannos, former Secretary General at the Ministry of Mercantile Marine
Associate Professor Nikolaos Farantouris
Experts:
Konstantinos Nikolaou, Owner and Director of KANERGY Ltd Energy Consulting
Young researchers (undergraduate and graduate students, PhD candidates and PhD’s) take part in the research activities conducted by the aforementioned team.
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European Governance of Migration Unit
The aim of the Unit is to study the developments and current trends (National, European and International) that are relevant to the subject of Migration and Asylum and to contribute to the formation and implementation of policies in National and European level.
The research activity of the Unit engages three pillars: the management of the Migration/Refugee flows at the external boarder of the European Union (EU), with focus, also in view of the current developments in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region, on the connection of flows with cross-border criminal activities, human trafficking and border challenges, threats and violations; the interpretation and application of asylum and refugee law in Greece and the EU and the proposals for revision/update of the institutional framework (Common European Asylum System, Schengen Code, etc.); as well as the role of internal and regional developments in the countries of origin and transit in the migration phenomenon and management possibilities of flows in this phase.
By collaborating with academics and experts, the Unit aspires to be a hub between science, businesses and civil society institutions, at European, National and Regional level, as well as by collaboration with dynamic young people that our country has.
In addition, through the design and implementation of relevant educational programs of the Jean Monnet European Center of Excellence, the Unit also aims at a more practical and applicable contribution, through the training of students, public administration officials and other agencies in matters of immigration and asylum.
Topics
Management of the Internal Boarders of the EU at Evros Region, Aegean Sea and East Mediterranean
Asylum and Refugee Law: Modern European Developments
European Management of Migration at the East Mediterranean: EU, Turkey and Greece
The Team
Academic Coordinator
Professor Yannis Valinakis, University of Athens, President of the European Center of Excellence of the University of Athens
Program Coordinator
Assistant Professor, Ioannis Stribis, Aegean University, Director of the European Center of Excellence of the University of Athens
Academic Associates
Rebbeca-Emmanouella Papadopoulou, Associate Professor, Law School, UoA
Xrysafo Tsouka, Associate Professor, Law School, UoA
Manolis Perrakis, Assistant Professor, Law School, UoA,
Metaxia Kouskouna, former Assistant Professor, Law School, UoA,
Alexandra Tragakis, Associate Professor, Charokopeio University
Panagiota Manoli, Assistant Professor, University of Peloponnesse
Kostas Ifantis, Professsor, Panteion University
Petros Violakis, Associate Professor, Rabdan Academy
Experts
Stamatis Georgoulis
Aggelos Tramoudanis
Stefanos Valianatos
Apostolos Veizis
Ioannis Kourtis
