MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Our country, through the Ministry of National Defence, opens its gates in International Conference of Security and Crisis management "ATHENA 2014" with great pleasure, which exceeds its national dimension this year and now is under the auspices of the European Commission, in the framework of actions of the Greek Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
After a ten-year period, the "ATHENA", as a seminar-conference, dedicated to crisis managements issues, now incorporates in his sessions security issues. I think that this trend is logical, signifying the interconnectedness of objects of crisis management with those of security.
Furthermore, the pursuit of the Conference for exchange views and promotion of initiatives between the academic community and representatives of national and international organizations as well as the successful response to this initiative with work-papers that have already been sent by an significant number of researchers, make us very optimistic about our next steps.
I am convinced that we will increase the added value of this meeting contributing to institutional and scientific maturity with focused actions. This fact has a great importance because these issues which will be presented in the conference, not only are related to "specialized personnel" or a very limited audience but they concern all of us, even our daily life.
I strongly believe that the aforementioned matters constitute an interesting challenge for the discussion that will be held through the Conference, as we combine the military experience and practice with the scientific consideration, the domestic actions with the international experience, on crisis management issues, in line with that of Government and international actors.
I wish, the participation in the Conference to be a constructive and enjoyable experience, opportunity to exchange views and knowledge and especially for foreign participants, a pleasant approach of the beautiful and historical city of Athens and its inhabitants.
Thank You
Dr Polycarpos Adamidis
Director General of General Directorate of
National Policy and International Relations