This summary captures a full-day programme of presentations, panel discussions and interactive dialogue at the conference on leading the European Values, which took place in Komotini, a partnership between Austrian Economics Center and Youth Business Network as a local partner. The event brought together some 100 entrepreneurs, university students from the Democritus University of Th race, government officials from almost all over Thrace area to review valus shaping the European Union featuring experts including but not limited to John Chrisolm, Soritios Serbos, and Dan Denning. It also provided a valuable networking opportunity and set the stage for further cooperation among students and beyond, including entrepreneurs and academicians at different stages of development. The conference began with opening remarks by representatives of Austrian Economics Center, Mr.Vafeiadis from the local union of business owners and Ms.Marieta Tselepi representative of Youth Business Network.
Opening the conference, Mr.Richard Zundritsch, investor and Added Value- Austrian Economics Center , highlighted the need to find ways to effectively in dealing with issues around European Union and how effective Union could be. Richard has also presented the platform Values4 Europe – an Austrian Economic Center initiative. Europe is dynamic, great and unique. A community that stands for its values. Europe has great thinkers, critics, captivating speakers, top athletes, glamorous celebrities and you. They all have the same goal – a joint Europe. Modern democracy needs critical thinking.This platform should encourage, motivate and inspire you to think critically about Europe. Exchange ideas with people from other countries, different cultures and with different opinions. You are invited to share and discuss your opinions, wishes and hopes. Reflect on present-day Europe and develop concepts of improvement for tomorrow’s Europe.
Mr.John Chrisolm, A pioneer in online marketing research, he founded and served as CEO/Chairman of Decisive Technology (now part of Google), publisher of the first desktop and client-server software for online surveys. John today he is CEO of John Chisholm Ventures, a startup advisory and angel investing group. John outlined the entrepreneurial circle- envisioning an open, transparent and collaborative community of entrepreneurial people, digital-by-default, and integrated into modern’s society’s needs. John has amazed the masses describing his really influencing entrepreneurial journey, motivated our youth audience to start TODAY their own enterprises and defined the role of an entrepreneur-change-maker model in modern societies.
The featured speaker, Mr. Dan Denning- Executive Publisher at Southbank Investment Research in London and the co-author of The Bill Bonner Letter has outlined the importance of privacy and individualism needed for the growth of modern societies.
Professor Soritis Serbos with the contribution of YBN’s fellow Ms. Dimitra Dalabini had the chance to present extensively the current EU-Turkish relations emphasizing on the Greek-Turkish intense political relations and military violations taking place the last months. It was a great historical review always with the aspect of international relations- mapping the potential actions on behalf of EU and Greece accordingly.
As premarket institutions, we couldn’t miss to host a panel related to cryptocurrencies. We had the chance to host Nikolaos Kostopoulos and Christiana Zoupa- crypto entrepreneurs and enthusiasts talking about the crypto industry, the opportunities given by the blockchain technologies, warning about the risks and emphasizing on the opportunities for more transparent, wide and privacy-friendly societies.
Last but not least, we had the chance to host Mr. Antonios Serafeimidis- economist and entrepreneur outlining the current investment focus in Greece including opportunities in hospitality, tourism, energy and logistics. As usual, we are committed to give space and host our fellows- Antonis has been one of them and we are really happy for his professional and academic achievements during all those years- ending having him as a speaker today!
At the end of the day, this is the Roadshow- helping people to grow, entrepreneurs to cooperate and societies to thrive. For us, the roadshow is the people, the ideas that our moving our world forward and motivating those who are now being involved to join a big family of great individuals who cooperate and work in volunteering basis- not only to envision but to shape the values of tomorrow’s societies- or speaking for our own big family- shaping the values of the European Union!