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Προτάσεις για την  τοπική Αυτοδιοίκηση για Νεολαία & Startups.

09/2023



Εισαγωγή

Κατά τη διάρκεια των ετών που προηγήθηκαν της πανδημίας της COVID-19, η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση παρατηρούσε μια σημαντική και ανησυχητική τάση στον νεανικό πληθυσμό της. Περίπου 1,7 εκατομμύρια νέοι βρέθηκαν σε μια δύσκολη κατάσταση: δεν βρίσκονταν σε απασχόληση, εκπαίδευση ή επαγγελματική κατάρτιση (συχνά αναφέρονται ως NEETs). Λίγο πριν χτυπήσει η πανδημία, υπήρχε ένα φωτεινό σημάδι καθώς ο ανεργίας των νέων είχε μειωθεί σε ένα ιστορικό χαμηλό, στο 14,9% τον Φεβρουάριο του 2020. Δυστυχώς, αυτή η πρόοδος διακόπηκε σύντομα, λόγω των lockdowns που προκάλεσε η πανδημία.

Πέραν των άμεσων προκλήσεων απασχόλησης και εκπαίδευσης, η ΕΕ αντιμετωπίζει ένα πιο βαθύ και σκοτεινό πρόβλημα - τη δημογραφική αλλαγή. Ο συνολικός πληθυσμός της ΕΕ γερνά και οι δείκτες γεννήσεων μειώνονται σταθερά από τη δεκαετία του '60. Πολλές περιοχές της ΕΕ αντιμετωπίζουν την έντονη αποχώρηση της νέας, εξειδικευμένης εργατικής δύναμης. Αυτός ο διπλός παράγοντας της δημογραφικής τάσης οδηγεί σε συρρίκνωση του πληθυσμού εργασίας.

Μεταξύ του 2015 και του 2020, ο πληθυσμός εργασίας της ΕΕ μειώθηκε κατά 3,5 εκατομμύρια άτομα και οι προβλέψεις υποδεικνύουν ότι αυτή η μείωση θα συνεχιστεί. Έως το 2050, η ΕΕ θα μπορούσε να χάσει άλλα 35 εκατομμύρια άτομα στην ηλικία εργασίας. Αυτό το πρόβλημα δεν περιορίζεται σε λίγα κράτη μέλη· επηρεάζει τις περισσότερες περιοχές, με ορισμένες περιοχές να υποφέρουν περισσότερο. Ταυτόχρονα, αυτές οι περιοχές, που συχνά ήδη βρίσκονται σε μειονεκτική θέση, χάνουν τους πιο ταλαντούχους ανθρώπους τους, οι οποίοι αναζητούν ευκαιρίες αλλού, ενώ ταυτόχρονα δυσκολεύονται να προσελκύσουν από άλλες περιοχές.

Για την Ελλάδα, αυτό το πρόβλημα είναι ιδιαίτερα έντονο. Οι νέοι της Ελλάδας έχουν το δυναμικό να αντιμετωπίσουν κρίσιμα κοινωνικά θέματα, όπως η γυναικεία ανισότητα, η φτώχεια και η περιβαλλοντική υποβάθμιση. Μέσω της συμμετοχής τους σε δραστηριότητες κοινωνικής ενσωμάτωσης, του εθελοντισμού και της κοινωνικής δράσης, μπορούν να υποστηρίξουν αιτήματα που συνάδουν με τις αξίες τους. Ωστόσο, τα στατιστικά δεν είναι καθόλου καθησυχαστικά.

Forging a Timeless Alliance: India & Greece

Saturday, 19 August 2023 15:01 Published in Κόσμος


Forging a Timeless Alliance: India and Greece's Enduring Friendship and Collaborative Future

Author: Kostas Antoniadis

In a historic move, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a groundbreaking visit to Greece next week, marking the first visit by an Indian PM to the country in four decades. This visit is poised to elevate the existing bilateral ties between the two nations to the status of a comprehensive strategic partnership.


Greece is keen to harness the robust alignment of interests shared with India on both regional and global fronts, with the ambition of positioning itself as India's gateway to Europe. Prime Minister Modi's day-long sojourn in Athens on August 25 will come on the heels of his participation in the BRICS summit in South Africa.


The prime ministers of India and Greece, Narendra Modi and Kyriakos Mitsotakis respectively, are slated to engage in pivotal talks during the visit. This diplomatic rendezvous is expected to yield a slew of agreements that will span an array of sectors including trade, investment, shipping, migration, culture, and defense cooperation.


Highlighting the importance of the visit, Greece's Charge d'affaires Alexandros Boudouris affirmed, "We really want to act as India's gateway to Europe. And we're ready for it, offering a comprehensive privatization scheme that includes seaports and airports and logistics hubs for Indian investors to start the gateway."


The foundations for this strengthening of ties were laid during Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar's visit to Greece in 2021. Both nations conveyed their commitment to the notion of a strategic partnership. Greece's aspiration is to attract increased investment and talent from India, a desire that culminated in the signing of a Declaration of Intent on Migration and Mobility in the previous year.


The diplomatic rapport between the two nations extends to critical global issues. Both India and Greece are staunch supporters of multilateralism and a rules-based international order. They also share congruent perspectives on complex matters such as Afghanistan, Ukraine, and the contested eastern Mediterranean region, where Greece is entangled in a dispute with Turkey.


This strategic partnership between India and Greece holds significance beyond its immediate scope. It is anticipated to reverberate as a clear message to Turkey, a country that has consistently backed Pakistan on the Jammu and Kashmir issue. Notably, while Greece has been steadfast in its support for India, it refrained from issuing a statement following India's revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019.


Underscoring their common vision, Greece, aligns with India's outlook for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region that emphasizes connectivity and comprehensive growth.


In addition to fostering diplomatic ties, this visit marks a historic milestone for India. Prime Minister Modi will be the first Indian PM to visit Greece since Indira Gandhi's visit in 1983. Moreover, it signifies the first bilateral visit at this level by either nation since 2008 when the then Greek PM visited India.


As the visit approaches, anticipation mounts for the outcomes of these high-level discussions and the potential impact on the trajectory of India-Greece relations, as well as their joint influence on the global stage.


India and Greece, two nations with a rich history of interconnectedness spanning over 2500 years, have nurtured a robust and amicable relationship that transcends time and geography. This camaraderie is founded on a foundation of mutual respect, unwavering support on crucial global matters, and a shared commitment to fostering cooperation across various sectors.


Historical Ties:

Glimpses of India's engagement with Greece can be traced back to the days of the Mauryan dynasty, where trade between Mauryan Kings and Greece left an indelible mark through coinage and historical accounts. The ambitious expedition led by Alexander the Great in 326 BC unveiled a chapter of interaction, as he ventured into the Indian subcontinent and engaged with local rulers.


Diplomatic and Political Relations:

Formal diplomatic relations between India and Greece were established in May 1950, a friendship that flourished through the years. Notably, Greece supported India on multiple international platforms, endorsing India's aspirations for a permanent seat in an expanded United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and lending support at forums like the Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG) and MTCR. The Greek Defence Minister's visit to India in 1998, following India's nuclear tests, marked a significant moment of solidarity and cooperation.

Shared Stances and Collaborations:


The convergence of interests extends to issues of core national interest. Greece's stance on matters such as Kashmir and Cyprus mirrors India's concerns, earning appreciation. Notably, Greece has refrained from issuing statements on recent developments in Kashmir, reaffirming the depth of mutual understanding.

Both nations have championed a rules-based international order and multilateralism. This common vision was underlined when Greece showed support for India's candidature in various international bodies, including the UNSC, MTCR, and others.


Economic Engagements:


Trade and commerce have been a key facet of the relationship. India exports a diverse range of products to Greece, including aluminum, textiles, machinery, and more. Conversely, Greece imports items like machinery, fuel, textiles, and building materials from India. The annual Thessaloniki International Fair has provided a platform for India to be showcased as the "Honored Country," fostering deeper trade connections.


Cultural Exchange and Future Prospects:

Cultural affinity is evident in various aspects, including India's participation in Greek expositions and the unveiling of Mahatma Gandhi's statue in Athens. The signing of agreements on cultural and educational exchange programs and migration and mobility further bolsters the multifaceted relationship.


Anticipating the upcoming visit of Mr. Thanos Paraschos, the Managing Director of Startup Greece, it becomes evident that the mutual desire to nurture bilateral relations between our two nations is gaining momentum. The focus of this forthcoming visit, centered around technology entrepreneurship, serves as a vivid testament to our shared commitment to fostering innovation. This significant upcoming endeavor reaffirms the historical bonds that tie us together and underscores their contemporary relevance. Undoubtedly, it is of great significance to emphasize that the esteemed Dr. Monojit Das is assuming a pivotal role in orchestrating and facilitating this imminent visit.



As India and Greece traverse modern challenges and opportunities, their enduring friendship and shared values continue to shape the trajectory of bilateral relations. The historic visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirms the commitment to this flourishing partnership, as both nations carve a path towards a prosperous future built on trust, respect, and shared interests.




Collision to remain in Toronto for 2024

Tuesday, 20 June 2023 18:08 Published in U Tech

Collision – one of the world's biggest tech events, according to BNN Bloomberg – has confirmed today that it will host the 2024 event in Toronto. The event will bring together thousands of next-generation entrepreneurs, investors, and journalists from around the world.

This year, Collision is expected to contribute CA$49 million to Toronto's economy, according to projections from Destination Toronto. Collision added CA$27 million to the city’s economy in 2019 and CA$43 million in 2022, resulting in a total economic impact of CA$188 million over three years.

In addition to the direct economic benefits, Collision provides an opportunity to showcase Canadian and Torontonian tech talent and companies to a global audience, while also positioning Toronto as a thriving and inclusive tech ecosystem in the long term. Google, Netflix, Reddit, Pinterest, Cloudflare and Snowflake have opened offices and engineering hubs in the region over the last four years, according to Toronto Global.

"We are delighted to be returning to Toronto in 2024. Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and economic uncertainties in the tech industry, Collision has continued to flourish in this city. We are grateful for the support from Destination Toronto and the City of Toronto as we aim to make Collision even more globally impactful and to shine a spotlight on the remarkable Canadian and Toronto tech ecosystem on our global stage," said Paddy Cosgrave, founder and CEO at Collision.

Collision 2023 will take place next week in Toronto, from June 26-29. It is projected to bring thousands of attendees – including major tech figures, such as godfather of AI Geoffrey Hinton, Conviction founder Sara Guo, AWS CEO Adam Selipsky and YouTube superstar Marques Brownlee – from more than 140 countries to the city.

More than 230 global partners – including Siemens, Volkswagen, AT&T, RBC, Google, AWS, Stripe and Salesforce – and thousands of startups will travel to Toronto next week from countries such as Nigeria, the Republic of Korea, Uruguay, Japan, Italy, Ghana and Pakistan, all taking to the event floor over three days.

Contact:

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+353867912092

Web Summit HQ, Tramway House, 32 Dartry Road, Dartry, Dublin 6, Ireland, D06 XT86

Collision will also run programs and initiatives across the event that encourage a broad participation from communities in Canada, including thousands of students, members of Indigenous communities, and members of underrepresented groups in tech.

“I am so pleased that we will again welcome the Collision Conference to Toronto in 2024. This event puts our city on the global stage, showcasing our thriving technology community to industry leaders and major investors. It also significantly boosts our local economy: the 2022 conference generated $43 million in direct spending and $68 million in economic impact. I'm certain that this year's conference, running from June 26 to 29, will be even more impactful for Toronto and the surrounding region" said Councillor Shelley Carroll (Don Valley North), Chair of the Economic and Community Development Committee

“Collision puts the spotlight on Toronto as the fastest-growing tech centre in North America. The city cultivates a distinctive mix of culture, education, diversity and talent for technology and innovation sectors to thrive. Hosting major events and conferences in Toronto, like Collision, delivers significant economic impact to our local economy and contributes to its vibrancy and appeal to residents and visitors. We look forward to welcoming start-ups, investors, governments, organizations and visitors from around the world to Toronto," said Scott Beck, President & CEO, Destination Toronto

Canadian startups have experienced healthy VC activity despite the economic headwinds. According to PitchBook, for the first half of 2023, Canadian and Toronto startups surpassed 2019 and 2020 funding levels, beating pre-pandemic levels, with the value of deals in Toronto reaching US$1.3 billion. 2023 is up 120% compared to the first half of 2019 and 2020 (US$0.6 billion each year). Similarly, for Canadian startups, the deal value has increased by 40% from 2019 (563 deals at US$2.3 billion in Q1 and Q2) to 2023 (347 deals at US$3.2 billion).

About Collision

Financial Times says Collision is “a technology conference that applies an all-encompassing definition of tech”. Global News calls it the “Tech Olympics”; The Globe and Mail “one of North America’s biggest startup conferences”. Collision brings the next generation of global leaders reshaping the world to Toronto with thousands of attendees anticipated the Enercare Centre from June 20-23, 2022.


Buzzing tech gathering in the middle of it all Reflect is an ideal meeting spot for the doers of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, all living within the island’s mere 3-hour radius.

Enjoying the island vibes.Building bridges.Supercharging ideas.

It’s coming up on seven years since Web Summit moved its eponymous conference from Dublin to Lisbon. While that caused a lot of hand wringing in Ireland at the time, it seems to have suited both sides in the long run. Web Summit continues to draw the great and the good to its event and Ireland has continued to draw investment from the big technology firms, as well as the not so big ones.

Now, there are rumblings that Web Summit’s Collision conference – held in Toronto for the past five years – may be on the move.

Canadian tech website BetaKit reports that Web Summit is seeking a three-year deal with local authorities roughly equivalent to the €11 million per year the Portuguese government pays to host the main conference. That would be more than double what it receives at present to base Collision there.

The Conference Board of Canada, Destination Toronto, Toronto Global and Toronto Region Board of Trade have requested financial support from the province of Ontario and the government of Canada to keep Collision in Toronto, BetaKit reported.


Collision has previously been held in Las Vegas and New Orleans, so the idea of moving on from Toronto is not hugely surprising. And, any city – reportedly, there are six bidding for it, including Toronto – that moves to host the conference in the future would probably know what to expect: hard negotiations and the dangling of a possible move elsewhere if a deal doesn’t get done.

That’s okay though. The Web Summit is a business, like any other. It is allowed to be a tough negotiator and, in turn, potential host cities are allowed to be tough in their negotiations with Web Summit.

While the big name speakers made the headlines for Web Summit when it hosted an event here, it was often said that the big selling point for Ireland Inc. was that it brought decision makers to the country. Irish start-ups could get in front of investors in a way they would struggle to do otherwise. In the years since, it isn’t at all clear that access has been lost. If Collision does leave Toronto, it will be interesting to see how hard its absence is felt in the years ahead.

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