Events of recent years have surely erased any remaining doubts about the interconnectedness of the world's economies. From the credit crises in the US and EU to the increasing frequency of natural disasters around the world, and social unrest in the Middle East, the economic waves of local problems have made themselves felt to individual citizens in nearly every corner of the globe. Such perceptions can easily lead to protectionism and xenophobia without a degree of greater understanding, but even describing the global economy is highly complex and weaves together a multitude of factors including interstate flows of trade, investment, human-capital, and much more. The items of value being traded have evolved as well with service industries on the rise in many countries and national policies around the world looking to encourage the development of intellectual property, innovation and "knowledge economies." With change inevitable and globalization obvious, how can the next generation be prepared to compete in these foreign and uncertain conditions? How do universities, colleges, vocational schools, and other institutes of higher education assess the future needs of their students, nations, and the world and react appropriately? How can all students, regardless of specialization, be best prepared for a globalized workplace? And what role do partnerships, both internationally and with the private sector, play in preparing students for a global knowledge economy?

Background and Format:

The Salzburg Global Seminar and the Fulbright Foundation, Greece, with additional support from the Greek Politics Specialist Group, are organizing a symposium to examine these issues both in the context of Greece and the world at large. In the spirit of all three organizations' common missions, visions, and commitment to education as the driving force for positive change, innovation, and well-being for individuals and societies, the purpose of the event is to provide a place for inspirational dialogue and new ideas. Salzburg Global, Fulbright Greece, and the Greek Politics Specialists Group seek to involve as many people from their respective networks - Fellows and alumni, those familiar with our work and those seeking to learn more, old friends and new ones. The one-day symposium will provide an opportunity for those involved in the work of Salzburg Global and the Fulbright Foundation to connect with one another and (re-)connect with like-minded individuals in Athens and Greece and to reinvigorate ties to all three organizations.

Costs:

The event is open and free of charge for friends and Fellows of the Salzburg Global Seminar Fellows, Fulbright Greece and the Greek Politics Specialist Group. However, in order to help off-set costs and support the ongoing work of the Salzburg Global Seminar and Fulbright Greece, donations are welcome and appreciated. Please click here to make an online donation. (The recommended amount is €10 although more is always appreciated for those who are willing and able.) Please be sure to indicate that your donation is to be used for this Fellowship Event.

schedule

13:00 Registration, Coffee and Tea

14:00 Opening Remarks

• Artemis Zenetou, Executive Director, Fulbright Foundation – Greece
• David Goldman, Associate Director of Education, Salzburg Global Seminar
• Andrew Liaropoulos, Convener, Greek Politics Specialist Group

14:30 Innovation and the evolution of the knowledge economy: As Greece ‘moves beyond the crisis’ what will be the most critical areas for rejuvenating and jumpstarting the economy in the context of global trends? What role does entrepreneurship and innovation play in modern formal and informal economies? As workers, and indeed national policies, favor jobs in which ideas are valued more highly than products, how should the growing knowledge economy be balanced with the on-going need for the hard products of the industrial and agricultural sectors? What skills are needed by companies hungry for innovation and competitive in a global market? What does the future look like in terms of the formal and informal sectors of the economy? How can governmental policies towards labor, education, infrastructure, etc. encourage growth and development in both the formal and informal sectors?

• Anna Glass, Policy Analyst and Economist, OECD
• Dimokritos Amallos, Executive Director, Qualco

16:00 Coffee/Tea Break

16:30 The Role of Higher Education: How do universities, colleges, vocational schools, and other institutes of higher education assess the future needs of their students, nations, and the world and react appropriately? How can all students, regardless of specialization, be best prepared for a globalized workplace? What role do partnerships, both internationally and with the private sector, play in preparing students for a global knowledge economy?  What is educational relevance in the 21st century? In addition to ensuring that educational systems are connected to and oriented towards meeting the needs of the labor market, workforce training, and promoting innovation and entrepreneurship for the knowledge economy, what is the role of higher education to produce ‘global citizens’ – people who have the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors to contribute to improving the common global welfare of our planet and its inhabitants? And what are some innovative approaches to this type of post-traditional education?

• Voldemar Tomusk, Director for Policy and Evaluation at the Open Society Foundation, London, UK
• Dimitri A. Sotiropoulos, Associate Professor at the Department of Political Science and Public Administration of the University of Athens

18.00 Closing Remarks

• Athanassios Kyriazis, Secretary-General, Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs

18.30 Reception

The event is open for friends and Fellows of the Salzburg Global Seminar Fellows, Fulbright Greece and the Greek Politics Specialist Group. Feel free to pass on information about this event to those who might be interested.

Session Directory
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Session Document
Cotsen Hall at The American School of Classical Studies at Athens