Anatolia College is proud to once again take part in Open House Thessaloniki 2024, a renowned event celebrating the city’s architectural heritage through free guided tours of notable public and private spaces with unique architectural and historical significance.

This year, visitors will have the chance to explore two exceptional examples of architectural innovation and modern education: the newly constructed Anatolia Elementary School campus and the West Hall building at ACT (The American College of Thessaloniki).

Both buildings will welcome the public on Sunday, November 24, 2024, from 12:00 to 16:00.

Read more at https://anatolia.edu.gr/el/high-school/nea/7215-open-house-thessaloniki-2024.

On September 25, 2024,  the Dukakis Center hosted a voter registration drive on campus for American study abroad students currently enrolled to take courses at ACT. The effort was supported by ACT’s department of student services and by resident NUin staff from Northeastern University. 

Assisting in the proceedings were two Dukakis Center volunteers, Despina Krlevski and Michael Hatsiulis, themselves US citizens. 

Upwards of 40 study abroad students availed themselves of the opportunity to register (or confirm their registration) and request an absentee ballot. Two study abroad students, Shayne Buddman and Kristina Dolgacheva, later visited the US Consulate General to submit their ballots to be sent Stateside via diplomatic pouch, and to meet with the current Consul General Jerry Ismail.

This was the second voter registration drive this year for the benefit of Americans residing in Thessaloniki who intend to vote in the 2024 General Election. The first took place in March, when the Dukakis Center also hosted the Global Democratic Presidential Primary, and assisted some 50 study abroad students wishing to register to vote.

Dukakis Center personnel continued to advise the American student cohort in an ad hoc manner right up to the end of October to ensure that anyone wishing to vote was encouraged to do so. 

The Center has organized innumerable events on elections in Greece, the EU, and the USA since 2000. The emphasis on voting and elections supplements the Center's work on the 2023 Greek parliamentary elections, which included a landmark poll on the youth vote conducted at the Center's behest by the market research firm Ierax Analytix. 

Similarly, a pair of Dukakis Center volunteers conducted an exit poll during the Global Primary, while other interns added to their findings from a poll of first-time candidates who campaigned in 2023. Current intern Michael Hatsiulis is conducting in-house polling exercises during the electoral and post-electoral periods as part of his internship.

The mission of the Dukakis Center, based on the campus of the American College of Thessaloniki, is to inspire young people from both sides of the Atlantic to take an active interest in public affairs. The Center is celebrating its Silver Jubilee season of public service initiatives in 2024-25.

The American College of Thessaloniki announces the launch of the Archery Club, an exciting, unique addition to the college’s offerings. The project was initiated by the Office of Athletics and Student Activities and reflects ACT’s commitment to enriching student life through diverse extracurricular provisions. 

Maria Nasoula, the club’s instructor, is a student at the Department of Physical Education and Sports Science of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. At the same time, she is pursuing archery at high-level sport. As the daughter of Ms. Evangelia Psarra, a six-time Olympian, and Mr. Alexandros Nasoulas, member of the Hellenic Archery Federation and a prominent figure within the community for almost four decades, Maria’s attraction to the sport was simply inevitable. Her interest in archery blossomed at a remarkably young age, gradually transforming into a passion that only grows stronger with time. Following her parents’ example, she has also found fulfillment in mentoring others, helping them discover and develop their abilities as archers. The ACT archery club aims to provide a welcoming environment for both beginners and experienced athletes, ensuring that everyone can participate, learn, and improve their skills.

According to Maria and Evangelia, “Archery is much more than the elements we tend to associate it with. It represents the balance between intention and action, the harmony between mind and body. It is an act of mastery over oneself”.    

Anastasios, a regular ACT student, intrigued by an acquaintance’s experience with the sport, decided to enroll. As his years-long preoccupation with soccer had come to an end, he considered archery an interesting alternative and an opportunity to immerse himself into something unfamiliar. From the very beginning, he noticed elements both similar and unique to other sports. “As is every competitive game, archery is a challenge of precision, focus, and discipline, as well as a journey of self-reflection and discovery. Yet, what I was surprised to find out is the adaptability that it allows for. Speaking from an amateur’s point of view, I think archery is a significantly less physically demanding sport. It can be practiced by anyone, regardless of their fitness. What is more, an hour’s practice at the club is the boost that I need to tackle the rest of my tasks. It does not exhaust me but rather helps me clear my mind and energize my body while bonding with classmates and friends. Maria and her father, who is a guest trainer, are doing a wonderful job as they mentor us with patience, allowing us to develop at our own pace and ability while ensuring that training is conducted as safely as possible. I would definitely encourage anyone who is considering joining to do so”. 

For the fall 2024 semester, the club meets every Thursday, from 1 to 2:30 pm, at the Archery Field, located between the Constantinides and the West Hall. All relevant equipment is provided by the college.

Conference
Monday, December 2, 2024
6-8:30 PM
Daios Hotel, Leoforos Nikis

“Over a billion have voted in 2024,” runs a recent headline in The Economist, “has democracy won?”

The news is both good and bad, continues the same article, prompting an alert reader to wonder how useful this piece of journalism is as a specimen of political analysis. How well served have inquisitive fellow citizens worldwide been in the unprecedented celebration of democracy that was, seemingly, 2024?

To delve into the question, as this year of global elections comes to an end -- going back in fact to two parliamentary elections in Greece in the summer of 2023, the Dukakis Center at ACT will host a gathering of attuned observers in a variety of formats to discuss the current state of political analysis the world over. 

The goal will be to gain an initial understanding of what voters seek and what they get in return when they listen to or read their preferred sources of information about political developments in those places where it matters most to them.

Do the outstanding examples of analysis in 2024 serve to rebut the widespread sentiment that democracy is in decline?  Looking back at this long year of elections, would we have been right to conclude, as did one American analyst in the New York Times, that “the stark reality is that there are no immediate solutions to a potential election crisis”? Or will we agree with Francis Fukuyama when he writes “thus far, the year of elections has not been a terrible one for democracy worldwide.”

Concerning the current state of the news ecosystem, meanwhile should those of us who rely principally on the mainstream media lament what Mike Allen is now calling the era of “shards of glass?” Was David Von Drehle right to assert in 2022  that “History will likely conclude that the 20th century was the high-water mark of mass communication?”

The in-person event on December 2 will be open to the general public free of charge and will include a panel in Greek and one in English, with bilingual discussion. 

A complementary series of virtual panels in English will be broadcast during special episodes of Dukakis Center Live on Anixneusis Web-TV, on December 3 and 4, 6-8 PM.

• https://www.economist.com/international/2024/10/06/over-a-billion-have-voted-in-2024-has-democracy-won
• https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/16/opinion/trump-election-crisis.html  
• https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/year-elections-has-been-good-democracy-francis-fukuyama

Program

In-person event

Monday, December 2, 6-8:30 PM, Daios Hotel, Leoforos Nikis 59

Panel 1 (in Greek)

• Featured panelists: Sotiris Serbos, Democritus University of Thrace
• Moderator: George Kokkas, International Hellenic University

Panel 2 (in English)

• Featured panelists: Alkman Granitsas, formerly Wall Street Journal; Ino Afentouli, Institute of International Relations, Panteion University, formerly NATO Public Affairs (tbc)
• Moderator: Lambrini Nassis, American College of Thessaloniki

Bilingual discussion

Dukakis Center Live panels

Tuesday, December 3, 7-8:30 PM

Elections in the EU and the UK: Rikard Jozwiak, Radio Free Europe; James Quirk, American University; Dimitris Papadimitriou, University of Manchester

Wednesday, December 4, 7-8:30 PM

Global elections and US foreign policy: John Koenig, former US Ambassador to Cyprus, Henry Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington; Alan Makovsky, Center for American Progress; Melinda Haring, Eurasia Center, Atlantic Council (tbc)

The Michael and Kitty Dukakis Center for Public and Humanitarian Service 
Celebrating 25 years of public service initiatives 1999-2024

Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Time: 18:00 - 19:15

Location: Eduact, Τσιμισκή 136

This open event held in Greek is organized by the Psychology program at ACT in collaboration with the Dukakis Center, aiming to both raise awareness about adoption and highlight the significant contributions of Michael Dukakis on the subject. Since 1976, November has been recognized in the U.S. as "Adoption Awareness Month," a tradition initiated by then-Governor of Massachusetts, Michael Dukakis, who sought to encourage more families to provide a warm and safe home for children in need.

Speakers

• Zoe E. Giannopoulou, Supreme Court Lawyer, PhD, Accredited Mediator (Greece, UK, USA, Singapore), Director of the European Institute for Conflict Resolution
• Aigli Brousko, Social Anthropologist, Scientific Association for Child and Adolescent Care (SYMEPE)
• Christina Chatzidimitriou, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, Assoc. Professor of Psychology, ACT
• Georgia Chatzichristou, MSc, Social Worker - Systemic Therapist, Deputy Head of the Department of Child Protection, Foster Care, and Adoption, Central Macedonia Social Welfare Center

The speakers will delve into issues related to the current framework and practical aspects of adoption and foster care, exploring both challenges and opportunities that arise. Additionally, they will discuss the vital role of interdisciplinary teams in successfully implementing these processes, aiming for comprehensive support for families. Special focus will also be placed on the support needed by adoptive and foster parents, along with the importance of family mediation as a tool to strengthen their relationships with their children. Lastly, a historical overview of adoption will provide insight into its evolution and social impact.

This event is open to the public and is geared toward anyone interested in learning more about the adoption and foster care process, modern approaches, and supportive practices. Join us for an engaging discussion that sheds light on adoption from various scientific perspectives, showcasing the invaluable work and efforts that connect children with loving families.

Τετάρτη 20 Νοεμβρίου 2024
Ώρες: 18:00 - 19:15

Χώρος Διεξαγωγής: Eduact, Τσιμισκή 136

Η ανοιχτή εκδήλωση με τίτλο «Γέφυρες Αγάπης: Η Υιοθεσία στη Σύγχρονη Πραγματικότητα» διοργανώνεται από το Τμήμα Ψυχολογίας του ACT σε συνεργασία με το Dukakis Center, σε μία διπλή προσπάθεια ευαισθητοποίησης για την υιοθεσία και ανάδειξης της σημαντικής συνεισφοράς του Michael Dukakis στο θέμα. Από το 1976, ο Νοέμβριος έχει καθιερωθεί στις ΗΠΑ ως «Μήνας Ευαισθητοποίησης για την Υιοθεσία», καθώς ο τότε κυβερνήτης της Μασαχουσέτης, Michael Dukakis, επιδίωξε να ενθαρρύνει περισσότερες οικογένειες να προσφέρουν ένα ζεστό και ασφαλές σπίτι σε παιδιά που το έχουν ανάγκη.

Ομιλήτριες

• Ζωή Ε. Γιαννοπούλου, Δικηγόρος Παρ. Αρείω Πάγω, ΔΝ, Διαπιστευμένη Διαμεσολαβήτρια (ΥΔ, ΗΒ, ΗΠΑ, Σιγκαπούρη), Διευθύντρια Ευρωπαϊκού Ινστιτούτου Επίλυσης Συγκρούσεων
• Αίγλη Μπρούσκου, Κοινωνική Ανθρωπολόγος, Επιστημονικός Σύλλογος Μέριμνας Παιδιού και Εφήβου (ΣΥΜΕΠΕ)
• Χριστίνα Χατζηδημητρίου, Κλινική Ψυχολόγος PhD, Εκ. Καθηγήτρια Ψυχολογίας, ACT
• Γεωργία Χατζηχρήστου, MSc, Κοινωνική Λειτουργός - Συστημική Θεραπεύτρια, Αν. Προϊσταμένη του Τμήματος Παιδικής Προστασίας, Αναδοχής και Υιοθεσίας του Κέντρου Κοινωνικής Πρόνοιας Κεντρικής Μακεδονίας

Οι ομιλήτριες θα αναλύσουν θέματα που αφορούν το σύγχρονο πλαίσιο και τις πρακτικές εφαρμογές της υιοθεσίας και της αναδοχής, διερευνώντας τις προκλήσεις αλλά και τις ευκαιρίες που ανακύπτουν. Επιπλέον, θα εξεταστεί ο κρίσιμος ρόλος που διαδραματίζει η διεπιστημονική ομάδα για την επιτυχή υλοποίηση αυτών των διαδικασιών, με στόχο την ολοκληρωμένη υποστήριξη των οικογενειών. Ιδιαίτερη έμφαση θα δοθεί επίσης στην υποστήριξη που χρειάζονται οι θετοί και οι ανάδοχοι γονείς, καθώς και στη σημασία της οικογενειακής διαμεσολάβησης ως εργαλείο ενίσχυσης της σχέσης τους με τα παιδιά. Τέλος, θα γίνει μία αναδρομή στην ιστορία της υιοθεσίας, για την κατανόηση της εξέλιξής της και του κοινωνικού της αντίκτυπου.

Η εκδήλωση είναι ανοιχτή για το κοινό και απευθύνεται σε όλους όσοι ενδιαφέρονται να ενημερωθούν για τη διαδικασία της υιοθεσίας και της αναδοχής, τις σύγχρονες προσεγγίσεις και τις υποστηρικτικές πρακτικές. Ελάτε να συμμετάσχετε σε μία ουσιαστική συζήτηση που φωτίζει το θέμα της υιοθεσίας από ποικίλες επιστημονικές οπτικές, αναδεικνύοντας το πολύτιμο έργο και τις προσπάθειες που συνδέουν τα παιδιά με στοργικές οικογένειες.

An open event in English, organized by the MBA program and The Entrepreneurship Hub at ACT.

Wednesday, November 20, 2024
12:45 - 14:00
Bissell Library, ACT - American College of Thessaloniki

Join us for an insightful open event, organized by the MBA program and The Entrepreneurship Hub at ACT, focused on driving Greek business success in global markets. In today’s highly competitive landscape, with consumer preferences evolving rapidly, Greek companies face both the challenge and the opportunity to extend their reach beyond domestic borders. This event will explore the strategies and insights required for expanding Greek businesses on a global scale.

Hear from leading Greek companies who have successfully taken their brands to the world stage. Representatives from Pelopac, a leading exporter of Mediterranean foods; Olympia Electronics, a pioneer in electronic safety and security systems; Pyramis, a global manufacturer in kitchen and bathroom solutions; Souroti, known for its premium mineral water; and SEVE (Greek Exporters Association) will share their experiences, challenges, and key learnings on building competitive advantages and navigating international markets.

Whether you’re a student, entrepreneur, or business professional, don’t miss this opportunity to gain practical knowledge on the strategies that drive international success for Greek brands.

Conference
Monday, December 2, 2024
6-8:30 PM
Daios Hotel, Leoforos Nikis

“Over a billion have voted in 2024,” runs a recent headline in The Economist, “has democracy won?”

The news is both good and bad, continues the same article, prompting an alert reader to wonder how useful this piece of journalism is as a specimen of political analysis. How well served have inquisitive fellow citizens worldwide been in the unprecedented celebration of democracy that was, seemingly, 2024?

To delve into the question, as this year of global elections comes to an end -- going back in fact to two parliamentary elections in Greece in the summer of 2023, the Dukakis Center at ACT will host a gathering of attuned observers in a variety of formats to discuss the current state of political analysis the world over. 

The goal will be to gain an initial understanding of what voters seek and what they get in return when they listen to or read their preferred sources of information about political developments in those places where it matters most to them.

Do the outstanding examples of analysis in 2024 serve to rebut the widespread sentiment that democracy is in decline?  Looking back at this long year of elections, would we have been right to conclude, as did one American analyst in the New York Times, that “the stark reality is that there are no immediate solutions to a potential election crisis”? Or will we agree with Francis Fukuyama when he writes “thus far, the year of elections has not been a terrible one for democracy worldwide.”

Concerning the current state of the news ecosystem, meanwhile should those of us who rely principally on the mainstream media lament what Mike Allen is now calling the era of “shards of glass?” Was David Von Drehle right to assert in 2022  that “History will likely conclude that the 20th century was the high-water mark of mass communication?”

The in-person event on December 2 will be open to the general public free of charge and will include a panel in Greek and one in English, with bilingual discussion. 

A complementary series of virtual panels in English will be broadcast during special episodes of Dukakis Center Live on Anixneusis Web-TV, on December 3 and 4, 6-8 PM (program to be announced).

• https://www.economist.com/international/2024/10/06/over-a-billion-have-voted-in-2024-has-democracy-won
• https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/16/opinion/trump-election-crisis.html  
• https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/year-elections-has-been-good-democracy-francis-fukuyama

Program

In-person event

Monday, December 2, 6-8:30 PM, Daios Hotel, Leoforos Nikis 59

Panel 1 (in Greek)

• Featured panelists: Sotiris Serbos, Democritus University of Thrace
• Moderator: George Kokkas, International Hellenic University

Panel 2 (in English)

• Featured panelists: Alkman Granitsas, formerly Wall Street Journal
• Moderator: Lambrini Nassis, American College of Thessaloniki

Bilingual discussion

The Michael and Kitty Dukakis Center for Public and Humanitarian Service 
Celebrating 25 years of public service initiatives 1999-2024

ACT - The American College of Thessaloniki is approved by CSN, the Swedish Board of Student Finance, a government agency which offers grants and loans to Swedish students studying abroad at selected institutions. Click the button below to learn more about CSN eligibility, available funding, and the application process.

Brief Description

The Minor in Leadership equips students with the essential skills and knowledge to lead effectively in diverse organizational settings. Through a combination of theoretical frameworks and practical applications, students will develop their leadership potential, learn to inspire and manage teams, and navigate complex business environments. The program emphasizes strategic decision-making, ethical leadership, and interpersonal communication, preparing graduates to take on leadership roles across industries.

This minor is not available to Business majors.

Minor Requirements

• Management 101 - Introduction to Management
• Management 201 - Organizational Behavior (OU)
• Management 307 - Negotiation & Conflict Resolution
• Management 308 - Leadership Development
• Communication 315 - Intercultural Understanding and Communication (OU)
• Management 460 - Contemporary Project Management

To read a short description of the courses mentioned above, follow this link.