The Environmental Awareness Week - Eco Week 25, which took place from 7 to 11 April in Komotini, was an exciting journey of experiential education, dedicated to environmental awareness and student innovation.
The final station, the award ceremony of the 1st Panhellenic Student Competition ZeroWaste Hackers, on Friday 11 April at the Music School of Komotini.
A celebration full of inspiration, applause and creative energy. Around 300 students from Komotini, Alexandroupoli and Eleftheroupoli gathered in the auditorium of the Music School of Komotini, while for those who could not come, the ceremony was broadcast live via live streaming. Finally, through online connections we gave all participants the opportunity to be "present" at the highlight of the action and present their ideas.
Warm congratulations to all the students who participated actively, imaginatively, responsibly and collectively.
A special mention deserves a special mention to those who managed to unfold their creativity in a special way and inspire us all through their proposals and actions. from the 1st EPAL Athens, 1st EPAL Naoussa, 5th EPAL Ilion, PE-PAL Alexandroupolis, Standard EPAL Kryas Vrisi, 1st EPAL Eleftheroupolis, 2nd EPAL Loutraki, 1st EPAL Komotini and 2nd EPAL Komotini.
The demanding task of evaluation was undertaken with responsibility and dedication by the members of the Evaluation Committee. Athanasios Moyos, Professor of the Department of Environmental Protection, Konstantinos Kontos, Deputy Regional Director, Athanasios Karakatsanis, Recycling Plant Manager - Sunlight Group, Nikolaos Zoakis, Photographer, Ioannis Karagioulmezis and Christos Lachtaras, Health & Safety Manager at Adapa.
We thank them warmly for giving up valuable time from their demanding schedules to support the work of zEROwASTERS, contributing with their experience and judgment to highlight the creative effort of the students.
The zEROwasteHackers competition was successfully completed, thanks to the collective effort and the dynamic cooperation of teachers and institutions.
From the initial design to the completion of the zEROwasteHackers competition, the contribution of the Organizing Committee and the co-organizers has been decisive. With a steady presence, dedication and spirit of cooperation, they supported the project, shaping a framework of environmental education that promoted the participation and creativity of the students.
Special mention should be made to the Deputy Director of the Regional Directorate of Education of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Ms. Marigula Kosmidou, and the Director of the 2nd EPAL Komotini, Ms. Lemonia Darginidou, who bore the greatest burden of the organization and actively supported the implementation of the competition at all stages. We also thank the members of the organizing committee for their valuable participation and support, Ms. Charalambidou Efrosini Regional Supervisor of Quality Education of the Regional Directorate of Education of the AMTH, Mr. Dapergola Nektarios Director of the 1st EPAL Komotini, Ms. Thomaidou Evangelia Secondary Education Teacher, Mr. Tsakos Zafiris Educational Programs Consultant, zEROwASTERs and Ms. Tsolaki Artemis Project Manager, zEROwASTERs.
As well as all the executives and partners who supported the effort with care, consistency and teamwork. More specifically, from the PDE AMTH - Efi Douka, Sultana Moundzaki, Errikos Avgitidis and Christos Koutsogiannis - as well as the teachers of the 2nd EPAL Komotini - Evangelia Thomaidou, Anna Sourmeli, Konstantinia Patsali, Laftsi Panagiota, Haido Kostaki, Fotini Paraschaki, Akis Athanasiou and Seraphim Kallipolitis - for their active and substantial participation, not only during the event, but throughout the preparation and implementation of the event.
This collective effort highlighted in practice the value of cooperation, environmental sensitivity and the empowerment of young people through their creative involvement in actions.
A special moment was the live connection with the κ. Dimitris Homatidis, Cycle Economy and Information Systems Expert of the project LIFE-IP CEI-Greece - Circular Greece, who, even from a distance, shared with the students a vivid and meaningful message on the ecological transition and the role of the new generation.
A special honour was the presence of His Eminence Metropolitan Panteleimon of Maroneia and Komotini, of Thematic Vice-Regional Head of Administrative Services and Human Resources Mr. Nikolaos Evkarpidis, of Mayor of Komotini Mr. Ioannis Garanis, of κ. Stefanos Vivikidis from the Production Department of Adapa SA, Mr. Toloudi Georgios Deputy Director of the 2nd EPAL Komotini, and Mr. Nakou Spyros Community Relations & Sustainability Manager, who honoured the students with their participation and highlighted the value of environmental innovation in education.
Special mention should be made to the event coordinators, who with professionalism, friendliness and directness coordinated the flow of the action, giving rhythm, consistency and vitality to the presentation. This role was undertaken in a special way by Ms. Irene Tsakiri (ERT), the Ms. Natasha Vafiadou (Observer of Komotini) and the κ. Mr. Dionysis Borgias (Chronos Komotini), who not only animated the stage, but also consistently and sensitively communicated the message of the zEROwasteHackers competition through the media they represent.
We thank them warmly for their support, their positive energy and their substantial contribution to the emergence of the students' voice and the sustainability actions implemented.
And just like that... we laid the foundations for something that we hope will become an institution. We renew our appointment for the next ZeroWaste Hackers competition, with even more inspiration, even more schools, even more action!
More photos and moments from the event soon on our website!
