DigiTalks
"Achieving Social Change in ERUA’s Local Communities and Regions"

Информационна сесия I за хакатона Hack4impact 2025

 Дата и час: понеделник, 15 септември 2025
16:00 – 17:00 CEST

Научете повече за Hack4impact, участвайки в този DigiTalk – информационна сесия!

Hack4impact е дигитален хакатон, който свързва предприемачество (включително социално) с дигитални реформи в публичния сектор, умения и съответствие с ЦУР (цели за устойчиво развитие). Инициатива на Егейския университет в сътрудничество с European Reform University Alliance (ERUA), Североегейския регионален фонд за развитие и GR digiGOV-innoHUB.

Повече за Hack4impact: https://hack4impact.digigov.innohub.gr/en/home/

Кой може да участва?

Добре дошли са:

• участници от общността ERUA
• отделни лица & технологични стартъпи
• екипи и лица от #ERUAiDeaThon2024 и курса по социално предприемачество
• местни заинтересовани страни, социални новатори и предприемачи от всички региони ERUA

Предизвикателствата Hack4impact са свързани с:

• регионални нужди (дигитална трансформация, нарастващи нужди от умения & приобщаващ растеж)
• основни цели на ERUA (университетски реформи, социално предприемачество)
• приоритети на ЕС (реформа на публичния сектор, дигитален преход, ЦУР, творчески и междурегионални общности на знанието)
• тематични области на ERUA: екологичен преход, демокрация и човешки права, интеркултурност и многоезичие, миграция, изкуства & Edges

This session was part of a 3-part Info-Day for Hack4impact Hackathon participants. Two subsequent internal sessions followed:

Speakers:

Haris Alexopoulos (DigiGov InnoHub), Katerina Taka (ERUA University of the Aegean), Alejandros Melidis (Open Technologies Alliance - GFOSS)

Meet the speakers

ERUA Students and Local Communities

This event delved into the significant role of ERUA students in building connections and driving positive change within local societies. We explored how ERUA students gain transformative learning experiences in diverse social landscapes and the initiatives through which ERUA empowers students to navigate multicultural communities, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to become active agents of social transformation.

Agenda:

• Welcome and introduction: "Achieving Social Change in ERUA's Local Communities and Regions" - Prof. Evangelia Kavakli, UAegean
• ERUA Hackathon 2023 winners: "Inclusive Urban Mobility" - "S.D. Mobility" - Christoforos Tzannou, Nikolaos Foteinos, UAegean students
• ERUA iDeaThon 2024 winners: "Ideas for Social Entrepreneurship"
  • "U-FIT" (Universities For Integration Through Training) - Susan Isobel Cranfield Mckay, ULPCG Lecturer
  • "EIL" (Inclusive European Leadership) - Zahira Filomena Mucerino, Alessandra de Nicolo, UNIMC students
• "Mentoring for Social Impact: Connecting Entrepreneurs with Local Communities" - Efi Latsoudi, Social Scientist at R.S.A. NGO
• "Empowering Students to Tackle Social-Cultural Challenges with ICT" - ERUA Travelling Seminars - Asst. Prof. Angeliki Kitsiou, UAegean
• "Open Science & Social Entrepreneurship" - Asst. Prof. Harris Alexopoulos, Open Science Ambassador, UAegean
• Q&A & Closing remarks

Thank you to all participants, presenters, and students who made this event part of the #ERUADay celebrations.

Meet the speakers

Creating Coexistence between Refugees and Host Communities: Social and Legal Challenges

This event was a unique opportunity to explore the social and legal challenges facing refugees and host communities, and to discover ways to foster social cohesion. The discussion brought together experts to examine both the social dynamics and legal frameworks necessary for successful integration.

Session Topics:

Dr. Ildiko Otova explored how migration has become a hot topic for populist rhetoric and crisis narratives in Europe. She examined how these narratives create symbolic universes of rejection and discussed why it's crucial to open public debates to authentic voices from migrants themselves. Through scholarly insights and practical field experience, Dr. Otova presented ways to promote social change and foster sustainable communities through embracing diversity.

Dr. Lucas Pérez explored the complexities of integrating unaccompanied minors, building upon the Canary Islands' emergency response. He discussed efforts to ensure compliance with international treaties, challenges posed by the current system, ongoing legislative modifications, and the proposed system that could help address the crisis and serve as a model for other EU Member States.

Dr. Theodoros Iosifides (University of the Aegean) moderated the discussion and facilitated the live Q&A session.

Who Attended:

Professors and students in humanities, political and social sciences, legal professionals, social workers, educators and school administrators, humanitarian workers and NGO professionals, policymakers, and individuals interested in supporting harmonious refugee-host community relationships.

Thank you to all participants who joined this event.

Meet the speakers