Lectures

Crisis management in Greece and Europe: Macroeconomic vs. Structural Approaches

Lecture by ex-minister and economic Prof. Tassos Giannitsis (IPTS A30, Monday 24 February at 16:30) 

Prof. Giannitsis' analysis brings to bear his long academic and policy experience, in Athens and Brussels, towards a highly lucid and perceptive diagnosis of the ongoing debt crisis, its roots, its evolution, in the case of Greece, as well as in its wider European systemic dimensions, both in terms of causes, as well as in terms of ways forward. His presentation on February 24, 2014, in the context of the Greek EU presidency semester will develop these themes and draw linkages with the European developments in the context of the debt crisis afflicting an increasing number of Eurozone countries.

Professor Giannitsis has a long track record in both academic, as well as policy terms. He holds degrees in Economics from the University of Athens and Frei Universitaet Berlin (PhD). His areas of academic focus include development theory and policy, European integration and technology economics. He has served as president of the Greek council of Economic Advisors,  and as Minister of Labour and Social affairs (2000-2001); he resigned from this post when his state-finances-saving reform of the pension system was pushed back due to political pressure. He was alternate minister of Foreign Affairs (2001-2004), where he played a key role in the widely praised Greek presidency of 2003, minister of Foreign Affairs  briefly in 2004, and minister of the Interior (Nov. 2011-May 2012).

He has published extensively on academic matters related to growth, technology, and European integration; he was a member of the high-level expert group put together by Commissioner Potocnik in 2005, in the meetings of which the 'smart specialisation' concept was born. His most recent book 'Greece in crisis' (Η Ελλάδα στην κρίση, Πόλις, 2013)  is one of the most lucid and perceptive analyses of the ongoing Greek debt crisis, its roots, its evolution, and its European dimensions, both in terms of causes, as well as in terms of remedies. His presentation on February 24, 2014, in the context of the Greek EU presidency semester will develop these themes and draw linkages with the European developments in the context of the debt crisis afflicting an increasing number of Eurozone countries.

The Antikythera Mechanism: Discovery – Techniques - Research - Applications

Lecture by Prof. John H. Seiradakis, 17 March 2014 at 15:00, Videoconference with ISPRA

The foundations of modern science have their roots in ancient Greece. An example of the pioneering role of Greece in the scientific progress is the, in 1901 in an ancient shipwreck just outside the isle of Antikythera discovered, ‘Antikythera Mechanism’, a unique Greek geared device, constructed around the end of the 2nd century B.C. Prof. Seiradakis is going to take us to a journey through the discovery, and the scientific work performed to understand the purpose and technical sophistication of this fascinating device.