1 e-kyklos: Who we are

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1 1 e-kyklos: Who we are ekyklos is a think-to-do policy initiative founded in December 2015, by Evangelos Venizelos, a former Deputy Prime Minister of Greece and former leader of PASOK, and a number of high profile professionals and leading figures of the Greek political and socio-economic life. The governing body of ekyklos consists of: Petros Kavassalis, Assoc. Professor of University of the Aegean, Christos Dervenis, MD PhD FRCS Head Department of Surgery Agia Olga Hospital Athens, Chrysanthos Zamboulis, Professor Emeritus of Thessaloniki Medical School, Panagiotis Rigas, former member of the Greek Parliament, Panagiotis Doudonis, DPhil Cand. in Constitutional law at University of Oxford, Konstantinos Korikis, Digital Dedia Strategist, IEEE Member and Afrodite Al Salech, Columnist. It is responsible for the management and direction of day-to-day work. e-kyklos is an independent of political parties and economic interest, non-profit, organization, registered in Athens. 2 e-kyklos: Why? Greece has suffered in the years of economic crisis and depression from simplifications of reality, illusions, lies and generalities as well as from a false understanding of the European institutions and ignorance of the historical component of current problems. Of course, a large part of the recent public discussion brings a lot of criticism of the past and pursuits to overcome a persevering economic and social deadlock. However, a sentiment of generalized ineffectiveness is expanding due to the lack of the present government to actually govern. All original contributions in this public dialogue cannot be heard loudly because of a persistent populism that survives and eventually grows in an 1

2 environment of emerging political authoritarianism and obsolete ideological beliefs, dangerously unrealistic and delusional. That is how e-kyklos was born! o Our ambition is to contribute in order to stop this drain of the country's valuable resources by introducing a circle of ideas and proposals for national reconstruction and return back to normalcy. o We aim to break the ambient pessimism that hijacks the creative forces of the country. 3 What we want to do? e-kyklos is an independent, non-profit, web portal and public policy initiative. We have designed e-kyklos as a forum of public conversation and innovative thinking in the objective to define, together with others, a new, strong and sustainable position of Greece within Europe and globally. We strive to promote a coherent policy agenda that helps, in the aftermaths of the Greek turmoil, creating a society that can be productive and affluent. o A country that provides to the younger generations the opportunity to study in a constructive environment, work and succeed. o A social economy that can become competitive again, absorb knowledge to produce novelty, and successfully address the challenges of globalization, while sharing wealth and power with a strong sense of social justice, fairness, equality and freedom. At present, Greece is a country facing disproportionately great challenges. Currently governed by a coalition of leftist and far-right populists, it is experiencing a new, perpetual bailout memorandum, with the danger of creating a society of low expectations always present. The Greek experience showcases the need for deeper and fairer European integration, through the passage from intergovernmental negotiations towards institutional, Europe-wide policy initiatives, plans and, consequently, solutions. In such a social environment, the responsibility of a think-and-do policy initiative based in Greece and aiming to expand its network at the European level becomes greater. If Greece has unfortunately become a laboratory of new Europe s economic, social and political powers and institutions, framing new policy proposals based on the experience from this country, is definitely a great challenge. Specifically, we are interested to host fresh original ideas and produce policy insights for the evolution of Greece to a new dynamic equilibrium. But also to translate policy into practice through political, institutional, social, economic and development initiatives that can introduce: 2

3 1. A normal and functional, modern, social welfare state based on the rules of law 2. A competitive and sustainable economy at the macroeconomic level which generates investment opportunities and creates jobs, because it accumulates wealth and prosperity via innovation, productivity and increased export capacity. 3. A cohesive, inclusive, secure and open society 4. A strong collective national identity culture that that fully embraces European values and is not afraid to assert itself and claim a place in Europe and worldwide. 4 What we do? e-kyklos wants to connect politics and policy thinking to progressively develop a decision-making framework that Greece needs to meet the challenges of tomorrow. Precisely: activities: A (alpha) We have developed a website ( to stimulate the expression of well-argued views and documented opinions. We host now papers from more than 100 authors. activities: B (beta) We run a full events programme bringing together top politicians and policymakers, academics and leading writers, people from business and other expert thinkers, from Greece and abroad. Event Title Is there a solution to the Greek problem? Date Athens (French Institute of Athens) John Provopoulos, former Governor of the Bank of Greece Jean Quatremer, Liberation correspondent for Brussels Christos Chomenidis, novelist Moderation: Evangelos Venizelos, former Deputy Prime Minister of Greece and former leader of PASOK Book 3

4 Event Title Myths and truths about the Greek Public Debt Before and after the PSI Date Athens (Karatzas Auditorium of the National Bank of Greece) Daniel Cohen, Professor and Founding Member at the Paris School of Economics Paul Kazarian, CEO of Japonica Partners Evangelos Venizelos, former Finance Minister Moderation: Pantelis Kapsis, Greek journalist and former Minister (Data analysis of the public Debt was provided by economist George Stratopoulos) Event Title (co-organized by ekyklos) Presentation of Evangelos Venizelos book State Transformation and the European Integration Project: Lessons from the financial crisis and the Greek paradigm Date Athens (Aliki Theater) Vasilios Skouris, former President of the Court of Justice of the EU Prof. Panagiotis Ioakimidis George Prokopakis, business consultant Moderation: Takis Theodoropoulos, journalist and author Book 4

5 Event Title A conversation over Constitution and Democracy Date Athens (Pallas Theater) Prof. Nikolaos Alivizatos Prof. Stavros Tsakyrakis Prof. Evangelos Venizelos Moderation: Ilias Kanellis, journalist Book Event Title What future for Greece? In search of a national strategy. Date Thessaloniki (Chamber of Commerce and Industry) Prof. Thanassis Diamantopoulos Prof. Nikos Marantzidis Evangelos Venizelos, former Deputy Prime Minister of Greece and former leader of PASOK Moderation: Yorgos Skambardonis, writer activities: Γ (gamma) We want now to extend our activity to become a "think-and-do" policy group. To upgrade our strategic vision to include research and policy exploration activities, such as: o Produce research cases with policy-making conclusions o Act as a publisher for innovative research papers from other organizations, European and international projects o Co-publish papers with other web portals and public dialogue forums, in Greece and abroad o Co-create and host events with other similar organizations, in Greece and abroad. 5

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