{"id":73683,"date":"2026-09-15T07:34:51","date_gmt":"2026-09-15T04:34:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eap.gr\/2026\/09\/15\/i-simvoli-ton-panepistimion-sti-viosimi-anaptixi-kai-tin-kinoniki-entaxi\/"},"modified":"2026-09-15T07:40:39","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T04:40:39","slug":"i-simvoli-ton-panepistimion-sti-viosimi-anaptixi-kai-tin-kinoniki-entaxi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eap.gr\/en\/2026\/09\/15\/i-simvoli-ton-panepistimion-sti-viosimi-anaptixi-kai-tin-kinoniki-entaxi\/","title":{"rendered":"The Role of Universities in Sustainable Development and Social Inclusion: Presentation of WP4 Findings from the OpenEU Alliance at the International Conference \u201cMigration, the Global Quest for Educational Equity and Intercultural Education\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
\n\n \n\n
\n\n
\n OpenEU \u00b7 WP4 \u00b7 International Conference 2026\n <\/div>\n\n

\n The Role of Universities in Sustainable Development\n and Social Inclusion\n <\/h2>\n\n

\n Presentation of WP4 Findings from the OpenEU Alliance at the\n International Conference \u201cMigration, the Global Quest for\n Educational Equity and Intercultural Education\u201d\n <\/p>\n\n\n \n\n

\n \n <\/figure>\n\n\n \n\n
\n\n
\n\n \n \n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/span>\n\n
\n Date<\/span>\n 19\u201321 June 2026<\/strong>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n
\n\n \n \n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/span>\n\n
\n Location<\/span>\n Athens, Greece<\/strong>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n
\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/span>\n\n
\n Organised by<\/span>\n HOU & IAIE<\/strong>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n \n\n
\n\n
\n\n 01<\/span>\n\n
\n \n International Conference\n <\/span>\n\n

The OpenEU Presentation<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n
\n\n

\n As part of the International Conference\n \u201cMigration, the Global Quest for Educational Equity\n and Intercultural Education,\u201d<\/strong> organized by the\n Hellenic Open University (HOU)<\/strong> and the\n International Association for Intercultural Education\n (IAIE)<\/strong> on 19\u201321 June 2026 in Athens,\n Stavroula Sokoli<\/strong> and\n Eirini Mavrommati<\/strong> presented the paper entitled:\n <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n

\n\n \u201c<\/span>\n\n

\n Universities as Anchor Institutions in Times of Fragmentation:\n Participatory SDG Co-Creation and Institutional Inclusion\n in the Greek Context\n <\/p>\n\n

\n Stavroula Sokoli & Eirini Mavrommati\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n \n\n
\n\n
\n\n 02<\/span>\n\n
\n \n OpenEU \u00b7 WP4\n <\/span>\n\n

The Hellenic Open University Workshop<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n
\n\n
\n\n

\n The presentation highlighted the findings of a workshop\n organized by the Hellenic Open University in\n November 2025<\/strong>, as part of the\n OpenEU Alliance (WP4)<\/strong>.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n The workshop brought together 85 participants<\/strong>\n from academia, public administration, civil society,\n and the business sector.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n Participants worked in five groups, each focusing on one\n of the Sustainable Development Goals\n (SDGs 4, 9, 13, 16, and 17<\/strong>), and identified\n challenges and proposals concerning the role of the university.\n <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n

\n\n \n\n <\/figure>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n \n\n
\n\n
\n 85<\/strong>\n participants<\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n 5<\/strong>\n working groups<\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n 5<\/strong>\n Sustainable Development Goals<\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n 4 \u00b7 9 \u00b7 13 \u00b7 16 \u00b7 17<\/strong>\n SDGs<\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n \n\n
\n\n
\n\n 03<\/span>\n\n
\n \n Key Finding\n <\/span>\n\n

The Barriers Are Located at Points of Transition<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n
\n\n
\n\n \n \n \n \n <\/svg>\n\n <\/div>\n\n
\n\n \n Central Finding\n <\/span>\n\n

\n The key finding concerned\n where exactly the barriers are located<\/strong>.\n They are not primarily found within education, the labour\n market, or public services considered separately, but rather\n at the points of transition between systems<\/strong>.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n For example, when moving from education to employment\n or from one public service to another.\n <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n \n\n

\n\n
\n 01<\/span>\n Education<\/strong>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \u2192<\/span>\n transition<\/small>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n 02<\/span>\n Employment<\/strong>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \u2192<\/span>\n transition<\/small>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n 03<\/span>\n Public Services<\/strong>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n \n\n
\n\n \n\n
\n Presentation of the OpenEU Alliance WP4 findings\n at the International Conference in Athens.\n <\/figcaption>\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n \n\n
\n\n
\n\n 04<\/span>\n\n
\n \n Institutional Dimension\n <\/span>\n\n

The Role of the University<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n
\n\n

\n Despite focusing on different Sustainable Development Goals,\n the common conclusion reached by all working groups was that\n the university\u2019s distinctive contribution does not lie in\n isolated inclusion initiatives<\/strong>, which often\n depend on one or two individuals and cease when those\n individuals leave.\n <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n

\n\n
\n The Distinctive Contribution\n <\/div>\n\n

\n Permanent Institutional Responsibility and Coordination\n <\/h4>\n\n

\n Instead, its contribution lies in assuming\n permanent institutional responsibility<\/strong>\n for coordinating public authorities, businesses,\n and civil society.\n <\/p>\n\n\n

\n\n
\n \n \n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/span>\n\n Public Authorities<\/strong>\n <\/div>\n\n\n +<\/span>\n\n\n
\n \n \n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/span>\n\n Businesses<\/strong>\n <\/div>\n\n\n +<\/span>\n\n\n
\n \n \n \n \n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/span>\n\n Civil Society<\/strong>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n \n\n
\n\n
\n\n 05<\/span>\n\n
\n \n From Findings to Action\n <\/span>\n\n

Proposals and Next Steps<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n

\n The proposals formulated during the workshop will inform\n the design of the OpenEU Alliance\u2019s next actions.\n <\/p>\n\n\n

\n\n \n\n
\n\n 01<\/span>\n\n
\n \n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n\n

Living Labs<\/h4>\n\n

\n Participatory environments for collaboration,\n experimentation and the co-creation of solutions.\n <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n \n\n

\n\n 02<\/span>\n\n
\n \n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n\n

Sustainability Offices<\/h4>\n\n

\n Permanent structures supporting the coordination\n of sustainable development initiatives.\n <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n \n\n

\n\n 03<\/span>\n\n
\n \n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n\n

Structured Work-Based Learning<\/h4>\n\n

\n Structured work-based learning and internship schemes\n connecting academic education with professional practice.\n <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n \n\n

\n\n 04<\/span>\n\n
\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n\n

Participatory Governance<\/h4>\n\n

\n Governance mechanisms strengthening participation\n and cooperation among the stakeholders involved.\n <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n \n\n

\n\n
\n \n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n\n OpenEU \u00b7 WP4<\/span>\n\n

\n The workshop findings highlight the potential of universities\n to act as institutional anchors connecting different systems\n and stakeholders and contributing to\n sustainable development, social inclusion and\n stronger structures for long-term cooperation.<\/strong>\n <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n