The International Crisis Management Conference «ATHENA» is an international forum for constructive, topical discussions and exchange of views on the prevention and management of Defence and Security crises at geostrategic and geopolitical level.
The Conference’s name derives from goddess Athena, who was the goddess of wisdom, knowledge and art. She is said to have sprung from the head of Zeus, and soon became his favourite daughter. Her symbols were the spear, the shield and the owl. She became the protector of the city of Athens and offered to its inhabitants the valuable olive tree. She helped Hercules to perform the 12 labors, Perseus to defeat Medusa and Ulysses to return to Ithaca.
Specifically, in the Conference’s Main page, features one of her most known statue, the one representing Athena Promachos (Athena who fights in the front line). It was carved by the sculptor Leonidas Drosis in 1882 and stands outside the Athens’ Academy.
This activity took place for the first time in 1996 as a Crisis Management Seminar, and was part of the NATO initiative «In the spirit of Partnership for Peace – PfP». In the following years, the Seminar expanded its circle of participants to include countries outside the PfP initiative. The gradual success of the event led to the international recognition of the Seminar, and demonstrated the need for its enhancement, with the conduction of specialized discussions in cooperation with the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the International Relations and Defence Studies Institutes.
In 2007, it was renamed the «International Crisis Management Conference» and was placed under the auspices of the Ministry of National Defence. Thanks to this initiative, «ATHENA» has increased its visibility, broadened its prestige, expanded the fields of study and opened its doors to academics and analysts of international standing, transforming from a purely operational – strategic seminar into an international forum for constructive discussions on crisis management issues. Today, it has established itself as one of the key conferences at international level dealing with crisis management.
Participants of the Conference include civilian and military personnel of highest and senior ranks, representatives of States International and Regional Organizations, such as NATO, UN, EU, Institutes of International Relations and Strategic Studies, as well as stakeholders from domestic institutions (Ministries, General Staffs, Organizations, Universities, etc.). Since its establishment the «ATHENA» Conference is held approximately every three years. In particular, it was crowned with great success and a wide participation in 2008, 2011, 2014, 2018 and 2021.
The aim of the Conference is dual and focuses mainly on:
a. Information – exchange of views on the methods, procedures and capabilities of the international community for the prevention and management of crises in the Defence and Security fields.
b. Presentation and analysis of contemporary challenges and threats to international security and stability, focusing on the wider geopolitical environment of the Balkans and the Eastern Mediterranean and the selection of strategies for a holistic approach to address them.
Specifically, for the year 2025, the Conference entitled «Armed Conflicts and Crisis Management in the Era of Artificial Intelligence (AI)» will take place on 22 - 23 May 2025 in Athens, at the auditorium of the Hellenic Army Academy (HAA), Vari, Attica. There is no doubt that AI represents a major challenge for the modern way of conducting Armed Conflicts, which has triggered a wide range of discussions, both at the level of International and Regional Organizations, as well as at the level of States. Its potential and prospects, both in anticipating and managing security crises and during armed conflicts, are numerous and multi-layered. The challenges and constraints are equally significant. Justifiably, therefore, a number of questions arise, such as: Could AI bring about major upheavals in the modern domain of military confrontations and if so, to what extent? Which sectors will be most affected? To what extent will crisis management be affected? What are the estimated economic costs of these changes? What are the ethical and legal constraints that have to be introduced?
These are just some of the issues that the forthcoming Conference will seek to address. Undeniably, the high level and prestige of the speakers, the extended audience and the modern facilities of the Hellenic Army Academy, which will host the proceedings of the Conference, constitute a sufficient guarantee for the success of the project.