site.btaProf. Zarotiadis of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki: Smart Development Is the Tool That Will Achieve Social Cohesion and Environmental Sustainability

Smart development is the tool to address two major priorities of the modern era, especially in the Balkans - the issues of social inequalities and the environmental crisis, Grigoris Zarotiadis, professor of Economics and member of the Governing Board of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, told BTA.

Prof. Zarotiadis participated in the closing conference of the project “Europe in the Balkans: A Common Future” in the Albena resort (on the Black Sea) at the end of August.

He said that in the new programming period Europe has quite appropriately chosen three priorities: social cohesion, environmental sustainability and smart development. Zarotiadis said that in this context, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and its numerous departments and faculties have planned a series of activities related to the new technologies, integration and development, environmental issues and socio-economic policies to spatially and structurally address inequalities.

Among the structures that academic institutions could use within various projects to lend their cooperation an institutional and lasting character, Prof. Zarotiadis highlighted the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) - Black Sea, the Black Sea Centre of the UN SDSN Network, based at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and the Association of Economic Universities of Southern and Eastern Europe and the Black Sea Region. Many universities in the region, including Bulgarian universities, participate in both organizations.

Among the strengths that Greek and Balkan universities could offer in the framework of their cooperation, Zarotiadis noted the humanities such as philosophy, history, philology, sociological and economic studies. In contrast, while the academic community in the region had no advantages in environmental studies and technical disciplines, it had very good human potential that could take it very far. "I believe in the competitiveness of Balkan universities," said the professor. 

He told BTA that the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki has submitted a number of proposals for projects in the 2021-2027 programming period and the results should be seen in the near future. Zarotiadis said, however, that academia in the Balkans is lagging behind in terms of planning its participation in European programmes. "Planning for the next programming period after 2027 has already started in Europe, while we seem to be trying to see what the opportunities are today. This should change," the professor said.