Second Energy Union Future Leaders Academy
The Second Energy Union Future Leaders Academy, co-organized by the Greek Energy Forum (GEF) and the American College of Thessaloniki (ACT), took place at the ACT campus on April 12-14, 2019. The Academy was under the auspices of Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President of the Energy Union, European Commission.
Among the distinguished keynote speakers at the opening ceremony were Maroš Šefčovič who opened the processes of the Academy through a video-recorded message, Geoffrey Pyatt, US Ambassador in Greece and Eva Kaili, Member of the European Parliament.
A round table discussion followed with speakers such as Liana Gouta, the Group Director Energy Policy & International Affairs of HELLENIC PETROLEUM; Gerasimos Avlonitis, Advisor - Regulatory Affairs, DESFA SA; Iván Pineda, Director-Market Intelligence & Membership at WindEurope; Alexandros Lagakos, COO, Blue Grid Gas & Power/Founder of the Greek Energy Forum and Michalis Mathioulakis, Energy Strategy Analyst/Academic Director, Greek Energy Forum. The GEF – ACT cooperation promoted the following objectives:
To identify students, researchers and young professionals with a genuine
interest in energy studies and the willingness to excel in this field
To become an incubator for the energy leaders of the future in the Region.
To educate the participants about the goals of the Energy Union and the
importance of energy diversification.
To promote the energy diversification and energy security of the Region of
South-Eastern Europe.
Through the smooth and fruitful GEF-ACT cooperation, the Academy’s objectives were achieved through targeted seminars on the implementation aspects of the Energy Union as well as workshops with successful professionals, academics and decision makers on the full spectrum of energy topics that are currently critical to the Region.
Forty high-caliber university students and young professionals with proven, genuine interest in Energy and with the potential to stand out in this field in the future, among which were five ACT students, were educated on the significance of the European Energy Union and its benefits for the Region. The ACT delegates were: Borebardhe Mazreku, Karina Iskandarova, Nikita Triandafillidis, Sofija Getova and Daniel Kalemi. Two ACT professors, Mr. George Anastasiadis and Dr. Maria Bouzoudi, offered their expert insight at the lectures, workshops and debates that followed. The intensive three-day Academy concluded with the awarding of the certificates to all participants.
