Topics

Topic 1: Challenges arising from migration – terrorism – hybrid threats: The role of Greece.

Migration

  • Is migration a security issue?
  • The necessity of tackling the root causes of migration.
  • Main migration routes - "Balkan route", Mediterranean: experiences trends, challenges.
  • Measures required at national, European and global levels to mitigate the phenomenon implications.
  • The importance of a comprehensive approach to migration.

Terrorism

  • Recent trends and new challenges in terrorism.
  • Will the ISIS expulsion from Syria and Iraq herald a new phase in terrorism?
  • Combatting radicalization and violent extremism abroad and at home , what approach to take?
  • The significance of supporting regional initiatives, like G5 Sahel.

Hybrid warfare

  • An evolving new way of fighting.
  • Hybrid warfare complexity.
  • The ISIS hybrid threat to European security.

Topic 2: Mediterranean maritime and energy security: Why they are important for Europe?

Maritime security

  • Eastern Mediterranean geostrategic perspective: trends, challenges, opportunities.
  • Piracy and armed robbery: What are the chances of their reappearance in Mediterranean basin?
  • Illicit trafficking and smuggling.
  • Maritime terrorism.
  • The key to success: closer cooperation amongst littoral countries.
  • Mediterranean: The Europe’s soft underbelly?

Energy security

  • Energy security as a multidimensional concept.
  • Energy pipelines across the Mediterranean: Enhancing European energy security.
  • Energy infrastructure security against conventional and cyberwar threats.

Topic 3: By failing to prepare you are preparing to fail: The role of preparedness in crisis management.

  • Environmental scanning and early warning systems.
  • The role of proper organizational structure.
  • Strategic and operational planning.
  • Opponent awareness.
  • Developing scenarios of potential crisis situation.
  • Drawing lessons from past crisis experience.
  • Effective crisis communication planning.
  • Integrated approach: Close cooperation with local actors and international stakeholders.

Topic 4: Leadership, crisis informatics and media strategy as critical enablers for effective crisis response.

  • Personality characteristics and leadership skills of crisis managers.
  • Treating stress during crisis situation.
  • The significance of having accurate information before and during crisis.
  • Examining the dilemma of speed versus accuracy.
  • Media and crisis. Why we have to deal with the management of the media. Contacting media during crisis.
  • The role of social networks in crisis management.
  • Programming post crisis communication.

Topic 5: The need for closer cooperation amongst international organizations: An essential prerequisite for effective crisis management.

  • Comparative analysis of major international organizations: Seeking to identify mutually reinforcing roles.
  • Benefits from enhancing key international players synergy.
  • The value of exchanging knowledge and experience.
  • Different approaches, same goal.
  • Lessons learnt from actual cooperation.
  • Achievements, progress made so far.
  • Possibilities for better collaboration.
  • Potential challenges towards a closer cooperation.
  • The significance of regional organizations.