11th. INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE GREEK LARGE FAMILIES ASSOCIATION ‘ASPE’

A hybrid one-day policy event in Athens, Greece, in co-operation with the Social Administration Research Laboratory, University of West Attica (sarl.uniwa.gr).

When: October 18th, 2021

Where: The Ancient Olive Grove Campus Conference Center, University of West Attica

Livestreaming: address to be announced

Coordinator: Maria Balodimou, Journalist.

9.00 – 10.30

Welcome addresses (have been invited):

• Archbishop of Greece, Mr. Ieronymos
• President of the Republic, Mrs. Katerina Sakellaropoulou
• Prime Minister, Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis
• Head of Political Parties: Mr Alexis Tsipras, Mrs. Fofi Gennimata, Mr. Dimitrios Koutsoumpas, Mr. Kyriakos Velopoulos, Mr. G. Varoufakis
• Rector of the University of West Attica, Prof. Panagiotis Kaldis
• Representation of EU in Greece, Mr. Giorgos Moschovis
• President of the POP / Cyprus, Mr Ntinos Olympios
• President of ASPE, Mr Vassilios Theotokatos.

10.30 – 11:00

Opening addresses:

• Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs (EU policies), Mr Miltiades Varvitsiotes
• Deputy Minister of Demography and Family, Mrs Maria Syregella
• Vice-President of the European Commission for Democracy and Demography, Mrs. Dubravka Suica.

11.00 – 11.15

Break

11.15 – 12.45

Session I: FAMILIES AND THE FUTURE OF EUROPE

• “Large families in Europe: present and future”, Mrs. Regina Maronzelli-Florio, President of ELFAC
• “Families as the barometer of society”, His eminence Metropolitan Athanasios, D.Phil., Director of the Representation of the Church of Greece in the European Union
•  “Contemporary issues for families in Europe”, Dr. (Mrs) Antonia Torrens, VicePresident of COFACE-Families Europe, President of KMOP.
• “The controversial approach to families in the new EU inclusive development agendas”, Prof. (Mr.) Gabriel Amitsis, Director of the Social Administration Research Laboratory – University of West Attica. Vice President of Housing Europe

12.45 – 13.45

Break

13.45 – 15:15

Session II: DEMOGRAPHIC ISSUES, FAMILY POLICIES & ASPE’S CONTRIBUTION

• Presentation of Diplomas to Greek cities for their membership to the European Network of Family Friendly cities. Presenting committee: President and General Secretary of ELFAC (European Coordination), Vice-President and General Secretary of ASPE (as the national coordinator for Greece).
• “The 90 years contribution of ASPE to the Greek society”, Mr. Charalambos Pavlos, Director of ASPE.
• Best practices in Family support by Local Authorities: Mr. Costas Bakogiannis, Mayor of Athens. / Dr. (Mr.) Michalis Christakis, President of the Union of General Secretaries of the Municipalities “Klisthenis”
• “Demographic policies in Greece and Europe: An initial assessment”, Dr. Costas Geormas, General Director – Organization of Welfare Benefits and Social Solidarity

15.15 – 15.30

Break

15.30 – 17.00

Session III: RISKS AND CHALLENGES OF FAMILIES WITH MULTIPLE CHILDREN

• “Best practices for the support of large families in European countries”, Mr. Raul Sanchez, Secretary General of ELFAC
• “Opinions of EESC on the demographic problem and the case of Hungary”, Mrs. Kinga Joo, Representative of NOE (Hungary), Member of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)
• “Risk of poverty for families with children – What is at stake?”, Mr. Luciano Calestini, Head of the UNICEF Office in Greece
• “The role of education and of the civil society in tackling the demographic problem”, Mr. Yiannis Paidas, President of the Economic and Social Committee of Greece, School Teacher/ Educationist.