Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-05-09

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Europe Day reminds Europeans of need to defend the Union, says president

[02] Our goal is a modern and high-quality public education, says PM Tsipras

[03] EU must think about the challenges it is facing, Kotzias says on Europe Day

[04] Athens Digital Arts Festival to be held on May 18-21 this year

[01] Europe Day reminds Europeans of need to defend the Union, says president

Pavlopoulos said the anniversary is "highly symbolic" saying the main components of the EU are Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome and Christian teachings, adding that these three elements have combined with representative democracy to protect Man in the struggle to defend his value and his free development of his personality.

"The principles of peace, humanity, democracy and justice are the capping stone of this heritage," he added.

[02] Our goal is a modern and high-quality public education, says PM Tsipras

"Our goal is a modern and high-quality public education," Tsipras said, noting that the quality of the education provided to young people and children was not just an indicator of progress but also an indicator of social justice.

Outlining the main aims of the government's three-year plan for education, Tsipras said the operation of all-day primary schools will be extended to even the most remote areas of Greece and the period of compulsory education extended to 14 years, with the addition of two years of kindergarten (so that all children enter the school system at four) and three years of lyceum.

He also presented the government's plans to radically change and improve the two final years of high school and the university admission system, as well as rationalising postgraduate studies, with a bill to be tabled in parliament in the near future that will give all students access to free postgraduate education and ensure that no one is excluded for financial reasons.

The prime minister's visit to the ministry launches a round of visits to all Greek ministries, during which Tsipras intends to evaluate the work being done and to discuss any problems or delays that arise. Tsipras said he was starting his visits at the education ministry in order to signal that this was a very high priority for the government.

He promised to make specific announcements before the end of the year explaining how needs for teaching staff will be met over the next three years, further extension of the current free school meals programme, as well as promising additional funding that will enable universities to cover their running costs.

Finally, Tsipras stressed the government's commitment to supporting research and innovation in order to counteract the 'brain drain' and the loss of highly-trained young people abroad.

Optimism that debt issue will be resolved by May 22 Eurogroup

"I believe that we are closer than ever to a real settlement of the debt and that this settlement will now require an express commitment by our partners since we are now out of the picture and the ball is no longer in our court," Tsipras said regarding the agreement with Greece's lenders.

He said the government was focused on achieving an agreement but declined to go into details, since the negotiations were still underway and would continue until May 22.

"This is the first time in the memorandum adventure that we are completing a review and not implementing measures in exchange for cash but getting cash against a commitment to implement measures in the period to come, on condition that we have sustainability of the public debt. This is not a manner of speaking, it is a fact," Tsipras said.

He forecast that the agreement will "open very important new horizons for Greece's economy" and explained that without an agreement on the debt, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will not consent to participate in the programme "and therefore there will be no demand for these measures."

[03] EU must think about the challenges it is facing, Kotzias says on Europe Day

"We all ought to consider the contemporary challenges and impasses facing the European Union. [We must]reinvigorate the principles and values that shaped the European structure, such as democracy, equality and social solidarity, and work to ensure that Europe and European foreign policy develops strategic thinking to tackle the current leadership deficit," he said.

"We must give our people a new perspective and strive for a Europe that will abandon punitive policies that work counter-productively and exacerbate existing problems," he added.

He then reiterated that Greece will continue to pursue an "active and multidimensional foreign policy" by promoting a series of international initiatives aimed at consolidating peace and stability both in Europe and in neighboring regions.

[04] Athens Digital Arts Festival to be held on May 18-21 this year

With its #PostFuture theme, the 2017 ADAF invites us to imagine a future where virtual reality and daily life increasingly overlap and the boundaries between the "real" and "virtual" become ever more blurred and indistinct. This year's festival will explore the ways in which developments in technology are likely to affect and determine the direction of the arts and of society.

With the participation of 250 artists from 22 countries, ADAF will seek to construct an image of the "post-future" world through exhibitions of digital art, interactive and audiovisual installations, web art, video art and animation, audiovisual performance art and workshops for adults and children.

It will also feature talks by guest speakers and artists, presentations of other international festivals (Japan Media Arts Festival, MashUp Film Festival, ArtFutura, Imagine Science Films Festival, Videonale EV, Mapping Festival, Videoformes Digital Arts), special events and outdoor events.

An expanded ADAF Kids section, meanwhile, will offer educational workshops and other activities designed for children and families.

The festival will take place at Mitropoleos 23 in central Athens, with events held throughout the day from 10:00 until midnight. It is held under the aegis of the culture and sports ministry, the economy and development ministry, the tourism ministry, the education, research and religions ministry, the Attica Region, Athens Municipality, Greek Tourism Organisation, Athens Trade Association, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Visual and Applied Arts Department, School of Fine Arts, Athens Technological Educational Institute Photography and Audiovisual Arts, Artec and Masters in Applied Arts departments.

The ADAF 2017 programme in detail can be seen at the following link: http://2017.adaf.gr/el/programme/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=*%2F+13th+Athens+Digital+Arts+Festival+%7C+Programme.

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