The opening of the International Scientific Conference on “Greek-African Relations: Political, Strategic and Economic Aspects in a Changing World” took place at the Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation. The Conference was organized by the Department of International and European Studies of the University of Piraeus, in the presence of Greek and foreign academics, Ambassadors, diplomats, executives of international organizations and businessmen.
The Conference began with the greetings of the CEO of the Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation, Vice Admiral (retd) of the Hellenic Navy and Honorary Commander of the Fleet Konstantinos Mazarakis-Ainian.
The Vice-Rector of the University of Piraeus, Professor Spyridon Roukanas, addressed the Conference welcomed the participants and emphasized how important Africa is for Greece, Europe and the rest of the world, in terms of economy, politics, security and the environment and how forging a broad-scale multi-continental relationship will yield mutual benefits in the future.
This was followed by greetings from Dimitris Skalkos, Secretary General for International Economic Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vangelis Kamaris, Vice President of the Hellenic-African Chamber of Commerce and Development, and Professor Aristotelis Tziambiris, President of the Department of International and European Studies.
The next day, the Conference proceedings continued in the Amphitheatre of the University of Piraeus, where the next sessions explored the challenges and opportunities of the changing landscape of Africa in relation to bilateral and multilateral Greek-African relations at the political, cultural, economic and geostrategic levels, by academics, diplomats from African countries, executives of international organizations and businessmen.
The organizing committee consisted of Prof. Charalambos Gousios, Assoc. Prof. Ekaterina Economou, Assoc. Prof. Georgios Galanos and Athanasios Samaras, members of the Special Educational Staff Dr. Irini Mamakou and Dr. Christos Nikou and the PhD Candidate Konstantina Zlatini.
The scientific committee consisting of Prof. Eirini Cheila, Vice-Rector Prof. Spyridon Roukanas and the President of the Department of International Studies Prof. Aristotle Tziambiris summed the work of the Conference. The conclusions are that we should focus on strengthening the diplomatic, economic and cultural presence of Greece in Africa, through the utilization of its position and role as a bridge between Europe and Africa, as well as its position as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the period 2025-2026. The shared conclusion of diplomats, academics and economic operators from the Hellenic-African Chamber was the further strengthening of economic, trade, investment and educational ties.
The Conference was addressed by Ambassadors and Honorary Consuls of African countries, diplomats, the former Chief of General Staff of the Hellenic National Defense Forces, the World Bank's advisor on education issues, the former President and two of the Vice Presidents of the Hellenic-African Chamber of Commerce, and University Professors from Greece and from Sciences Po in Paris. The Conference was attended by diplomats from the French-speaking Embassies in Greece, members of the Hellenic-African Chamber of Commerce and Development, Professors from the University of Piraeus and other Universities, and a significant number of undergraduate and postgraduate students of the University.
The Conference was supported by the Research Center of the University of Piraeus, the International Organization of Francophonie (Organisation internationale de la Francophonie) and the Postgraduate Studies Programs. "Energy: Strategy, Law & Economics", "International and European Studies" and "American Studies: Politics, Strategy and Economics" of the Department of International and European Studies of the University of Piraeus.