Hybrid Event
Department of Environmental Engineering Envelab – Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
HERACLES Research Lab for Health and Exposure
“THE POST-COVID-19 ERA. HEALTHY, SUSTAINABLE CITIES: CHALLENGES, OPPORTUNITIES & PROSPECTS”
29th & 30th June 2022
About the event
The socio-economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the “crises” in Public Health and the Environment as well as the scientific and technological developments that emerged from said conditions altered life as we know it and are forming a new landscape in every aspect of our daily lives.
Urban Health is at the heart of European measures which are reshaping the prevalent perception about the quality of life and well-being in modern cities.
At the same time, the European Union with its new unified scientific toolset is coming up with new strategies to combat new and already existing “crises” by adopting holistic, systematic and detailed approaches.
The recent pandemic has given rise to valuable conclusions, as the response to such multifactorial dramatic events concerns and affects all sectors of the public sphere, mobilizing political and social bodies, while shaping a new reality.
The “THE POST-COVID-19 ERA. HEALTHY, SUSTAINABLE CITIES: CHALLENGES, OPPORTUNITIES & PROSPECTS” Conference approaches and captures this new reality, creating the means for a fruitful dialogue between the scientific community and the social and public institutions which will shape the best available practices regarding prosperity, public health and well-being.
Organized by
Sponsored by
Media sponsors:
Sponsors:
Keynote Speakers:
Committees
International Research Committee
- Sarigiannis Dimosthenis, Conference chair, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece) and Institute of Advanced Study IUSS (Italy)
- Anastasiadis Spiros, FORTH and University of Crete (Greece)
- Annesi-Maesano Isabella, University of Montpellier and INSERM (France)
- Amditis Angelos, ICCS / NTU-Athens (Greece)
- Bamidis Panagiotis, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece)
- Barouki Robert, University of Paris and INSERM (France)
- Emiris Ioannis, ATHENA Research Center and University of Athens (Greece)
- Gotti Alberto, EUCENTRE (Italy)
- Jensen Anne, Aarhus University (Denmark)
- Kalogerakis Nicolas, TU-Crete (Greece)
- Karavellas Dimitrios, WWF (Greece)
- Kogevinas Manolis, IS Global (Spain)
- Kyriakou Dimitrios, European Commission – Joint Research Center (Spain)
- Laing Richard, Richard Gordon University (United Kingdom/Scotland)
- Lyberatos Gerasimos, NTU-Athens (Greece)
- Markatos Nikolaos, NTU-Athens (Greece)
- Papadias Constantinos, American College of Greece (Greece)
Organizational Committee
- Sarigiannis Dimosthenis, Conference chair, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece), Istituto Universitario di Studi Superiori (Italy)
- Karakitsios Spyros, General Manager (EnvE-X) & Senior Scientist at Αristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece)
- Gypakis Antonios, General Secretariat for Research and Innovation, (Greece)
- Tsorba Christina, Head of PR, Journalist
- Margaritidou Stelina, Press Office, Journalist
- Sarigiannis Georgios, IT Consultant, UpcoMinds
Conference Secretariat
- Mistou Niki, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece)
- Kantara Ioanna, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece)
- Dolapsaki Maria, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece)
- Papaioannou Nafsika, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece)
Tel.: +30-2310-996277, Εmail: secretariat@enve-lab.eu
Event Schedule
Wednesday, June 29th, 2022
14.00-15.45 Event Registration
15.45-16.00 INTRODUCTION & WELCOME REMARKS (By the International Research Committee)
16.00-16.30 Welcome Remarks (By the Guests of Honor)
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- Kalafatis Stavros – Deputy Minister of Interior responsible for Macedonia-Thrace issues
- Kyriazis Athanasios – Secretary General for Research and Innovation (GSRΙ)
- Zervas Konstantinos – Mayor of the Municipality of Thessaloniki
- Gioutikas Konstantinos – Regional Governor of Central Macedonia
- Antoniou Maria – Head of the PM office of Thessaloniki
- Pozrikidis Kyriakos – CEO of TIF – HELEXPO
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16.30-17.30 PLENARY LECTURE
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS (from Greece and the global Scientific and Academic Community)
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- Tsouros Agis – Imperial College / WHO
- Zerefos Christos – Academy of Athens (virtual)
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First Thematic Discussion
Political freedom, Democracy, Information and disinformation
The concept of individual responsibility, freedom, democratic governance and the role of citizens in times of crisis are brought to the fore and at the same time redefined. What is the role of the media, the Internet and how is the new era of the Meta-verse and the collaborative media shaped?
The speakers will cover the following topics:
- Building democracy in the post-COVID era: Society and the media
- Democracy, Society and the Internet
- Scientific and Societal decision-making during periods of crisis
- Democracy and the Internet: The new era
- Open access to information in a civil society
- NGOs, social equality and the fight against discriminations
17.40-18.20 May I trust you? – The importance of disinformation in the digital era
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- Bletsas Michalis – MIT (virtual)
- Panagiotou Nikos – A.U.Th.
- Demertzis Nikos – N.C.S.R.
- PANEL DISCUSSION WITH A JOURNALIST AS THE COORDINATOR
- Rizopoulos Jannis – Journalist
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Second Thematic Discussion
Sustainable resource management – Circular Economy
Sustainable development is the dominant development model today, as expressed in the European Green Agreement. This in combination with the significant delays in the environmental management in the country creates at the same time important opportunities but also challenges in the Greek urban economy. The panels in this section will discuss this fluid environment, taking into account both the challenges of sustainability and the growth of the circular economy and the opportunities offered by the rapidly changing digital environment.
The speakers will cover the following topics:
- Challenges for sustainable natural resource management in cities and regions
- Fair energy transition and urban health
- Good examples of circular economy in cities
- The role of digitization on the road to urban sustainability
18.30 – 19.15 Natural and energy resources and circular economy – opportunities or challenges?
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- Geranis Michalis – FODSA of Central Macedonia
- Famellos Socrates – Member of Parliament for Thessaloniki II, Head of Environment & Energy SYRIZA (virtual)
- Papadopoulou Ilektra – Consultant of circular bio-economy – Greek Bio-economy Forum
- Aravossis Konstantinos – Secretary General for Forestry at Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy
- PANEL DISCUSSION WITH A JOURNALIST AS THE COORDINATOR
- Chatzigeorgiou Alexandra – AMNA / ANT1 reporter
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19.30-21.00 Cocktails (Welcoming committee)
Thursday, June 30th, 2022
09.00-10.00 Event Registration
Third Thematic Discussion
Environment, Climate Change & Health
The “crisis” of the pandemic and climate change creates new challenges and concerns, while at the same time requiring new approaches. The EU is improving its preparedness for health emergencies while developing integrated tools not only to predict epidemics but also environmental “crises” that threaten Public Health.
The speakers will cover the following topics:
- Monitoring models & tools for tackling climate change and its effects
- Climate Change, Pollution and Public Health. A new holistic approach.
- Green growth. Success stories. The new business environment.
- The computer model of risk management and crisis management of the HERACLES team
- Healthy environment for sustainable economy & equal society
- Life in the future-Environment, climate change and Prosperity
- Smart and green transport
10.00-10.45 The digital environment as a social good
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- Staveris Polykalas Athanasios – Secretary General of Telecommunications and Posts
- Syrakoulis George – DUTH
- Leimoni Christina – Marketing and Operations Director, Microsoft (Greece, Cyprus, Malta)
- PANEL DISCUSSION WITH A JOURNALIST AS THE COORDINATOR
- Kazantzidou Suzy, Alpha TV reporter
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11.00-11.45 A healthy environment for a sustainable economy and an equal society
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- Markandya Anil – BC3 (virtual)
- Caraouli Vasiliki – Ministry of Health
- Sarigiannis Denis – A.U.Th.
- Exadaktylos Athanasios – President of PIS
- PANEL DISCUSSION WITH A JOURNALIST AS THE COORDINATOR
- Lysandrou Maria – “Plan Be” / Free Press reporter
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12.00-12.30 Coffee / Break
12.30-13.15 Living in the Future – Environment, climate change & health
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- Desypri Athina – Bodosakis Foundation / WWF (virtual)
- Buizza Roberto – Scholar at the Italian Embassy of London (virtual)
- Dimaras Georgios – Former Deputy Minister of Environment (virtual)
- Sarigiannis Dimosthenis – A.U.Th.
- PANEL DISCUSSION WITH A JOURNALIST AS THE COORDINATOR
- Angeliki Gypaki – Ecozen.gr reporter
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Fourth Thematic Discussion
Cities & Quality of Life-New models of well-being
In the new landscape of “smart” cities, research tools are being developed, which aim not only at returning to “normality”, but at creating a social reality that is based on sustainable development and builds the “wellbeing” of its citizens. The EU, through the URBANOME Cluster, promotes the development of Urban Health and Prosperity and puts the citizen at the center of actions, as a policy co-creator.
The speakers will cover the following topics:
- Urbanome Project. The interactive relationship between Environment-Climate and Public Health.
- Smart applications. The cities of the future. Examples from Greece and Abroad.
- Live in modern cities. Digital applications for Public Health and for the improvement of the daily life of the citizens.
- Qualitynet Foundation & Sustainable Greece 2027. The goals and prospects of prosperity for the next five years.
- Practices with zero environmental footprint. Examples from Greece and abroad.
- Good environmental management of municipal waste
13.30-14.15 The trends that shape the cities of the future
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- Christophilopoulos Epaminondas – CSO on Foresight, Hellenic Gov.
- Kyriakou Dimitris – European Commission / JRC (virtual)
- Lamprogeorgos Nikolaos – Cisco
- PANEL DISCUSSION WITH A JOURNALIST AS THE COORDINATOR
- Samolada Maria – GRTimes.gr / RealFM 107.1 reporter
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14.15-15.00 Lunch / Break
15.00-15.45 Urban sustainability, prosperity, smart cities
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- Vasiliou Vasilios – Yale University (virtual)
- Pavlidis Leonidas – A.U.Th. / City Science Initiative
- Kremlis George – Stavros – Consultant of Circular Economy & Insularity (virtual)
- PANEL DISCUSSION WITH A JOURNALIST AS THE COORDINATOR
- Diamantopoulos Stefanos – Radio Thessaloniki reporter (Director)
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16.00-16.45 Smart, sustainable & climate-neutral cities; digital partnerships and entrepreneurship
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- Amditis Angelos – ICCS / NTUA (virtual)
- Mavropoulos Antonis – ISWA
- Bamidis Panagiotis – A.U.Th.
- PANEL DISCUSSION WITH A JOURNALIST AS THE COORDINATOR
- Iliou Theologos Mega Channel / Newspaper “Macedonia” reporter
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16.45-17.15 Coffee / Break
Fifth Thematic Discussion
Research, Innovation, Entrepreneurship – Sustainable Development Models
Today more than 72% of EU citizens live in urban areas, using around 70% of our energy. The sustainable development of European cities is a key challenge, requiring new, efficient and user-friendly technologies and services, especially in the fields of environment, circular economy, energy, transport and ICT. It also requires the design of new growth models and innovative sustainable entrepreneurship. The role of Research and Innovation is important with active support for the creation of regional innovation ecosystems, promotion of the quadruple co-operation (between cities-regions / universities / businesses and civil society organizations) and emphasis on the importance of human-centered planning. Promoting the practice of regional groups associated with outdoor areas, based on entrepreneurship, concepts that can be replicated and mutual learning, seeking cooperation with other groups and initiatives.
The speakers will cover the following topics:
- Smart Specialization Strategy for Research and Innovation in the Period 2021-2027 / Interdisciplinary Interventions in the Development of Smart Cities / Crisis Management etc.
- Support for Innovative Entrepreneurship.
- Specialization / Training of human resources in the new challenges.
- Examples from European urban centers.
17.15-18.00 Research and Innovation Actions for the design of Smart Urban Centers
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- Barla Eleni – Director of Digital Transformation and Sustainable Innovation, Stanton Chase Athens (virtual)
- Gypakis Antonios – Head of the Policy Planning Department, General Secretariat for Research and Innovation, (Greece)
- Bekiaris Evangelos – CERTH
- PANEL DISCUSSION WITH A JOURNALIST AS THE COORDINATOR
- Renieri Katerina – ERT3 reporter
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18.15-19.00 Opportunities and challenges of Sustainable innovative entrepreneurship; the professions of the future in smart urban centers
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- Chantzaras Christos – Technical University of Munich (virtual)
- Filippopoulos Fotis – Corporate Innovation Specialist
- Agrapidas Konstantinos – Ministry of Employment
- PANEL DISCUSSION WITH A JOURNALIST AS THE COORDINATOR
- Gouta Alexandra – AMNA reporter
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19.00-19.45 Conclusions-Discussion
