Press release for media in Greece

With great success the European conference “Encountering Diversity: Women in today’s entrepreneurship” was held in Thessaloniki, Greece, as part of the EU-funded DIVERSEurope project. The conference, led by KEAN – Cell of Alternative Youth Activities and held under the auspices of the Thessaloniki Municipality and the University of Macedonia, took place on March 8th, coinciding with the International Women’s Day, aiming to assess the evolving role of women in the workforce and shed light on the persisting disparities faced by working women today, regardless of their level of responsibility or entrepreneurial pursuits. 

The event garnered widespread attention and engagement, with communication sponsors such as the Athens-Macedonian News Agency and Flash 99.4 radio station providing extensive coverage. Journalists from the Athens-Macedonian News Agency reported on the proceedings, while Stavros Milionis, President of KEAN and founder of Diversity Charter Greece, was interviewed by Flash radio producer Giannis Magriotis on his show “It Matters to Us” ahead of the conference.

Key figures from various sectors addressed the audience, including Stavros Milionis, President of KEAN, Thessaloniki Mayor Stelios Ageloudis, who emphasized the need for concrete actions to combat inequality, and Alexandros Hadjigeorgiou, Vice Rector of Extroversion and International Relations at the University of Macedonia, who highlighted the crucial role of women in the success of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and their contributions to the Greek economy. Katerina Psycha, Communications Director of Diversity Charter Greece, Sonia Maravelaki, project manager at KEAN, Marina Kalaitzi, member of the NGO Women Act, Dr. Sophia Panagiotidou, Career Counsellor at the University of Macedonia, Despina Theodoridou, Head of People at the American School of Agriculture, Maria Simpilidou, CSR & Communication Manager at KLEEMANN Group, Maria Meimaroglou, Talent Acquisition Manager at Eldorado Gold, Eleni Ploutarchou, Project Manager/Diversity Charter at CSI Cyprus, and Rugilė Trumpytė, from Lithuanian Diversity Charter Association. 

Insights shared during panel sessions and presentations covered a range of topics, from the importance of Diversity and Inclusion in business to the challenges and opportunities faced by women in various industries. Noteworthy highlights include the significance of the Diversity Charter for Business in promoting equality, data showcasing the necessity for support and training of SMEs in remote rural areas, findings from research on women’s working conditions revealing challenges such as family commitments and unequal pay, and inspirational anecdotes from industry professionals on the transformative impact of gender-inclusive policies in their respective organizations. 

Additionally, a historical perspective on gender equality in education was shared. The conference concluded with a vibrant session where participants expressed enthusiasm for fostering Diversity and Inclusivity within businesses, with notable contributions from secondary level final year female students from the American Agricultural School. In his closing remarks, Emilios Perdikaris, President of the Athens and Macedonian News Agency, underscored the ongoing need for equal opportunities across various sectors and emphasized the vital role of companies in fostering diversity and equality within work environments. 

The conference came to an end with attendees and participants having further opportunities for networking and discussion.