Success For YES to Shipping Forum - Providing Opportunities In The Maritime Industry
- by XpatAthens
- Tuesday, 17 July 2018
The YES to Shipping Forum had a successful last day at the international maritime exhibition, which took place on June 8, 2018.
A call for the younger generation of Greeks to make their own journey, just like Odysseus, to set sail and claim the best for their lives, was delivered by the maritime community during the second edition of Yes Forum. Significant figures of the Greek shipowning community were present, including Mrs Athina (Nounou) Martinou, the Great Lady of Greek Shipping. Also present was Mrs Danae Bezantakou, founder of the YES Forum & CEO of Navigator Shipping Consultants, who highlighted that YES Forum is an important open platform in the Greek Shipping and Sea Tourism Industry, especially between principals, executives, university students, and recent graduates.
This unique initiative aims to create the next generation of a shipping community by passing down shipping knowledge, experience and culture. To bridge the generation gap, open-dialogue days & daily internships have taken place at shipping companies and in Posidonia since 2016.
The YES Forum's goal is to enable the young generation to become acquainted with the full spectrum of shipping and to remain in Greece for studies and take advantage of the high quality undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Mrs Bezantakou stated, "We must attract both Greeks and foreign students because if you cannot study shipping in Greece, then where could it be possible?”
She stressed that Greeks who choose to go abroad to study or stay there for work should know that Greece is the first maritime nation with power and a glorious history. In an effort to keep the maritime industry in Greece thriving, she stated that they should start from the bottom of the educational pyramid, specifically from primary and secondary education, and include specific maritime and tourism courses in schools. That way, students from an early age can become familiar with the characteristics of the two disciplines and their history. The YES Forum aims to organize YES activities in schools in 2019.
The opening remarks of the event were given by the President of the Union of Greek Shipowners, Mr. Theodoros Veniamis. He stated, "The bulk shipping and the wider maritime community help create prospects and enhancing the value of the economy while at the same time significantly reducing unemployment. The aim of Greek shipowning is to maintain its leadership in the global shipping industry, while maximizing the benefits; economic, social and strategic for our country."
He also pointed out that, "universities today must aim at linking the studies to the real needs of the industry, to which today's students, who will be tomorrow's professional executives, will be called upon to offer their services. Particularly in the shipping industry, which is advancing in technological development and vessel performance, all areas in education and training are opportunities for innovation."
Mr. Veniamis concluded with a positive and dynamic message: "Today, more than ever, the sea and especially Greek shipping is an outlet for unemployment, the financial crisis, and also for young Greek scientists who remain and achieve professional recognition in their homeland. The extroversion of our shipping awaits you all. It is a choice that offers prospects because the Greek shipping stands with a future in its hands."
During the event, appearances were made by Mr. Anastasios Papagianopoulos, President of BIMCO, and Mr. George Prokopiou, Head of Dynacom Group. Mr. Anastasios Papagianopoulos urged the crowd of over 1,000 young people to get outside their comfort zone and travel, to make their own Odyssey, to dare and win a better future. Mr. Prokopiou revealed that he has already brought to Greece a training sailboat, which is located in Glyfada, that will be available to the next generation in order to get in touch and learn life at sea. He stated, "In an essence, it will be an educational ship that will reinforce the efforts made and to maintain the maritime tradition of our country."
During the Forum, the Minister of Shipping and Insular Policy, Mr. Panagiotis Kouroumplis, expressed the long-standing and historical ties of Greek people with the sea, emphasizing that the country's advantages such as shipping, must be unambiguously developed.
Concluding this very successful second edition of the YES Forum, Mrs Danae Bezantakou invited everyone who contributed and supported YES to Shipping Forum to continue this successful dialogue and to prepare for the third edition of YES to Shipping, Forum 2020, which will be held on the 5th of June 2020.