• Jul
  • 19
  • 2018

Fulbright / ACS Athens Educational Forum (April 26 & 27, 2018)

Artemis A. Zenetou, Executive Director of the Fulbright Foundation in Greece and Dr. Stefanos Gialamas, President of the American Community Schools of Athens (Credit: Mariza Kapsabeli/ Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center).

"Redesigning Educational Systems: From Theory to Praxis"

the shared concern of developing educational systems that will enable students to become productive, responsible, civic-minded global citizens, ready to contribute proactively to societies.

From the two-day forum organized by the Fulbright Foundation Greece, ACS Athens and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center in celebration of the 70 years that the Fulbright Foundation has provided educational and cultural exchanges between Greece and the United States.

"Redesigning Educational Systems: From Theory to Praxis", was the topic addressed in a two-day forum at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center in Athens on April 26 & 27, 2018. Organized by the Fulbright Foundation in collaboration with the American Community Schools of Athens (ACS Athens) and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, panels of highly knowledgeable educators, business executives and guest speakers were brought together for two evenings of great success!

Over 500 participants enjoyed a rich exchange of ideas by speakers who aimed to emphasize the shared concern of developing educational systems that will enable students to become productive, responsible, civic-minded global citizens, ready to contribute proactively to societies. Celebrating Fulbright's 70 years of educational and cultural exchanges between Greece and the United States, Artemis Zenetou, Executive Director of the Fulbright Foundation in Greece and Stefanos Gialamas, ACS Athens President initiated discussions on education and globalization and on developing ethical-minded citizens. U.S. Ambassador to Greece, Geoffrey R. Pyatt, gave the welcoming remarks.

Day 1 panel discussion led by ACS Athens President Dr. Stefanos Gialamas, encouraged effective thinking and global awareness in a globally-connected world, while Day 2 panel, led by ACS Athens Dean of Student Affairs Dr. Peggy Pelonis, addressed the power that educational institutions have to be agents of change by promoting civic engagement, meaningful learning and the need to shift existing mindsets on teaching methodologies.

The forum culminated with distinguished keynote speaker, Dr. Allan Goodman, President of the Institute of International Education, who referred to Homer's Odyssey to highlight the importance of educational/cultural exchange as a journey of transformation.

The closing keynote was delivered by Dr. Edward Burger, President of Southwestern University, Georgetown, Texas, who stressed the importance of teaching in ways that promote curiosity and deep thinking. "Content comes and quickly goes, but practices of the mind to think, create, and connect not only last a lifetime, but truly uplift one's life."

Panel speakers included:

  • Elsa Chorianopoulou, Administrator, Montessori School of Athens Maria Goudeli, Greece
  • Roxanne Giampapa, President of Pinewood Schools, Thessaloniki, Greece
  • Victor Grey, Social Studies Teacher, Druid High School, Atlanta Georgia & Fulbright Scholar
  • Maria Kapsokefalou, Vice-Rector, Agricultural University of Athens
  • Eleni Katsarou, Professor Emeritus, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois & Fulbright Scholar
  • Haris Makryniotis, Managing Director, Endeavor Greece
  • Myrto Papathanou, Partner, Metavallon VC
  • Demetri Sampson, Professor Curtin University, Australia and University of Piraeus, Greece

For further information: 210 6393200, contact Ms. Melina Vassiliadis, vassiliadism@acs.gr.