2012 Activity Report European Parliament Information
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Information Office in Greece 2012 ACTIVITY REPORT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT INFORMATION OFFICE IN GREECE 8, Amalias ave. - 105 57 ATHENS Tel.: +30 210 32 71 011 - Fax: +30 210 33 11 540 - Email: [email protected] Website: www.europarl.gr S U M M A R Y CITIZENS' FORA ............................................................................................ 3 Citizens' Forum in Thessaloniki Citizens' Forum in Arta Citizens' Forum in Drama Regional Discussion Forum in Tripoli-Megalopoli OTHER INFORMATION ACTIVITIES ............................................................ 5 Presentation of annual programme Celebration of Europe Day Painting competition for young pupils EP Simulation CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS ................................................................ 8 Seminar in Brussels for first voters Award ceremonies for Citizen's Prize Conferences for University students Conference on European Governance Nobel Prize event CONFERENCES ON EP VALUES ...............................................................11 Women's Day LUX Prize Sakharov Prize PRESS ACTIVITIES ..................................................................................... 12 Regional press seminars Round-table with chief-editors Seminar in Brussels for young journalists Joint Press seminars with Nicosia EPIO on energy security of supply in the EU Joint press Seminars with Berlin EPIO on the financial crisis Invitation of journalists to plenary sessions Inserts/special editions in the Greek press Media, audiovisual and press analysis Press clippings and media monitoring FAIRS AND EXHIBITIONS .......................................................................... 17 Book Exhibition in Thessaloniki AUDIOVISUAL ............................................................................................. 17 SPECIAL EVENTS ........................................ .............................................. 18 OTHER ACTIONS ........................................................................................ 20 2 CITIZENS' FORA Citizens' Forum in Thessaloniki (Northern Greece, 18 May) The first 2012 Citizens' Forum took place on the "European Year for Active Ageing (2012)", in collaboration with the EC Representation in Greece, the Active Ageing National coordination committee and the Municipality of Thessaloniki. A very interesting communication and information action was organized, followed by a large debate, with the participation of 150 persons. Participating MEPs: Chrysoula PALIADELI - S&D Ioannis A. TSOUKALAS - PPE Citizens' Forum in Arta (N-Western Greece, 23 July) The second Citizens' Forum was organized on "Regional development and Agriculture Policy in the EU". An active debate took place with the participation of MEPs and approx. 200 persons, representing stakeholders, agriculture associations, regional and local authorities and media. The event was directly broadcasted through the national and regional networks of NET TV and retransmitted by ERT World satellite. The key-note speaker was Mr Athanasios Tsaftaris, Minister of Rural Development and Food. Furthermore, the MEPs had the opportunity to visit the Acheloos area, accompanied by regional authorities and to hold meetings with the representatives of agricultural enterprises and agro tourism, as well as with young farmers. Participating MEPs: Charalampos ANGOURAKIS - GUE/NGL Nikos CHRYSOGELOS - Greens-EFA Jorgo CHATZIMARKAKIS - ALDE - Germany Spyros DANELLIS - S&D 3 Citizens' Forum in Drama (N-Eastern Greece, 21-22 September) The EPIO in Greece, in cooperation with the EC Representation in Greece, the Municipality of Drama and the International Short Film Festival of Drama, organized a two-day Citizens' Forum on "the regional and cohesion policies of the EU as the response to the economic crisis", with the participation of 120 representatives of stakeholders, regional and local authorities and media. The Mayor of Drama and the Regional Governor of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace welcomed the Forum. The key-note speaker was Mr Athanasios Tsaftaris, Minister of Rural Development and Food. Furthermore, during the Forum two of the winning films of LUX Prize 2011 ("Attenberg" and "The Snows of Kilimandjaro") were screened in the frame of the International Short Film Festival of Drama. The 2 MEPs and the Head of EPIO participated in the awarding ceremony of the Film Festival. Participating MEPs: Chrysoula PALIADELI - S&D Theodoros SKYLAKAKIS - ALDE Regional Discussion Forum (Peloponnese, 1-2 November) With the participation of 6 MEPs, a Regional Discussion Forum on "Energy and Environment - Renewable energy sources" was organized in Tripoli and Megalopoli, which is a major energy production centre in Greece. The event was attended by 120 persons, representing stakeholders, regional and local authorities. The main partners were the Representation of EC in Greece, the Regional Governor of Peloponnese, the Municipalities of Tripoli and Megalopoli and the Journalists' Association of Peloponnese - Epirus and Islands. MEPs and Members of the Task Force GR were the main speakers on the economic crisis in Greece, the economic recovery and how energy and environment can be an instrument for development and growth. Furthermore, a press seminar to the regional and local press and media of Peloponnese was organized on this occasion, with the participation of 43 journalists. The subject of the seminar was "Writing about Europe: Topics and Tools" and aimed to the better understanding of the current European issues by the journalists and the more efficient use of the services provided by European Commission and European 4 Parliament to journalists and Media. In addition, on 02/11/2012 MEP Salavrakos, accompanied by the Head of EPIO, gave a conference to pupils of a secondary public school in Megalopoli. On the same day, MEPs paid a visit to the Megalopoli powerplant (DEH) and held meetings with the board of directors, representatives of staff and trade-unions. Another meeting was held in the townhall of Megalopoli with the participation of local authorities, stakeholders and NGOs. Participating MEPs: Nikolaos CHOUNTIS - GUE/NGL Nikos CHRYSOGELOS - Greens- EFA Marietta GIANNAKOU - PPE Georgios PAPANIKOLAOU - PPE Nikolaos SALAVRAKOS - EFD Theodoros SKYLAKAKIS - ALDE OTHER INFORMATION ACTIVITIES Presentation of annual programme (2 February) The 2012 Programme of our EPIO was presented in our premises to our stakeholders (representatives of the Hellenic Parliament and Government, ex-MEPs, media, public administration, Embassies, NGOs, Universities, business community, etc.) with the participation of Greek MEPs. The presentation was followed by a reception for 350 persons. The Government was represented by the Deputy Foreign Minister Marilisa Xenogiannakopoulou, ex-MEP. Participating MEPs: Marietta GIANNAKOU - PPE Maria Eleni KOPPA - S&D Georgios KOUMOUTSAKOS - PPE Rodi KRATSA-TSAGAROPOULOU - PPE Anni PODIMATA - S&D Konstantinos POUPAKIS - PPE Nikolaos SALAVRAKOS - EFD Theodoros SKYLAKAKIS - ALDE 5 Celebration of Europe Day (9, 11 and 18 May) Two actions were organized in our premises on the occasion of Europe Day, in collaboration with the EC Representation: the first action took place on 09/05/2012, in our premises, on the "European Year of Active Ageing" for the information and education of senior citizens on theoretical and practical issues related to protection and management of natural areas, with the participation of 70 senior citizens from two "Open Care Centres for the Elderly". The action was supported by the NGOs "Mediterranean SOS" and "Hellas 50+". The national coordinator for the EY of Active Ageing was the key-note speaker, together with specialized scientists on the third age and social workers of the abovementioned NGOs. This event was complemented with an outdoor action, which took place on 18/05/2012, with the participation of 80 seniors and young pupils. Its objective was the information and active participation in voluntary beach and other natural area cleaning. The young pupils were coached by the seniors. It is to be mentioned that, during this outdoor action, shots have been taken for a TV spot of EuroparlTV. The second action took place on 11/05/2012: a public event was organized in our premises with the participation 140 persons, among them many mayors from the Attica region, as well as representatives from municipalities of Italy and Cyprus and representatives of the civil society and youth organizations. The subject was: "Local authorities in the EU and perspectives of the European integration". Participating MEPs: Nikolaos SALAVRAKOS - EFD Georgios STAVRAKAKIS - S&D The two events were supported by active on-line action. 6 Painting competition for young pupils (8 June) A painting competition was launched for primary school pupils under the title: "Children paint on the European emergency number 112", in collaboration with "Kids' Fun" children magazine, through 2 full page inserts (in March and April) and through its web site. Over 2000 applications were registered and equal number of ready paintings was received. During the awarding ceremony which took place on 8 June in our premises, with the collaboration of the EC Representation, 12 winners, as many as the stars of the European flag, were awarded. Additionally, another 150 beautiful paintings were also exhibited in a specially set-up location in the EPIO. All children were gifted gadgets with the "112 emergency" and the EU logos. The event was attended by 100 children, parents and teachers.