Webster Athens Students and Faculty Engage with Global Experts at 35th Greek Economic Summit

Webster Athens MBA students, along with graduate and undergraduate international relations students, joined university faculty to participate in the 35th annual Greek Economic Summit, titled “A Fast-changing World: What’s Next?” held in central Athens, Greece in December.

The event was organized by the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce (AmChamGR) in strategic partnership with the Atlantic Council and the U. S. Chamber of Commerce. 

Distinguished speakers from Africa, Australia, Asia, Europe and the United States convened to share insights and concrete proposals on contemporary global, political and business topics.  

“During these kind of forums, researchers and students are exposed to various types of information, including unpublished pieces of knowledge,” said Webster Athens Rector Vasilis Botopoulos. “Webster Athens students and faculty participated in the summit with the interest and expectation to learn about developments in various fields and to gain knowledge informally.” 

Webster Athens students received certificates of Greek Economic Summit attendance, joined by faculty and administrators, from left, Ioannis Nomikos, Eleni Kapsokoli, Afroditi Zoulinaki, Adel Sakr; center, Rector Vasilis Botopoulos and Vice Rector of Academic Affairs Susie Michailidis; and right, Dimitrios Stamoulis and Athanasios Sarantopoulos.  

Webster Athens faculty and students received certificates of participation during a special ceremony on campus, underscoring the opportunity for networking and real-world engagement.  

“Some of the key takeaways from the summit included insights into the current geopolitical landscape, the importance of international cooperation, and the impact of emerging trends and technologies on global affairs,” said Daniela Cobo Gonzalez, an International Relations student pursuing her graduate degree at Webster Athens. “What impressed me most was the emphasis on the role of young people in shaping the future of international relations and global development.”  

“The summit provided a valuable platform for students to network, learn and share perspectives with experts and peers alike,” Gonzalez continued. “Overall, the GES Summit 2024 was an enriching experience that broadened my understanding of global issues and inspired me to think critically about my role in addressing them.” 

“As an MBA student at Webster University Athens, my participation in the 35th Greek Economic Summit was a truly enriching experience,” Evangelos Kotselas said. “The summit gave us the chance to engage with policymakers, business leaders and experts from diverse disciplines. I attended insightful panel discussions that addressed critical topics, such as sustainable economic growth, innovation and international collaboration.” 

“The event focused on Greece’s role in the evolving global economy and offered valuable perspectives on meeting modern challenges,” Kotselas said. “Networking with professionals and fellow participants further enhanced my understanding of economic trends and strategies. This experience significantly broadened my knowledge and inspired me to apply these insights to my MBA studies and future career in economic development and business strategy.” 

“Participating in conferences and getting input from policy and decision makers of the public and private sectors is an integral part of the learning experience that Webster University Athens offers,” said Assistant Professor Dr. Dimitrios Stamoulis, head of the Business and Technology Department. “Our academic institution gives students a foundation of knowledge from multiple perspectives, including public events and conferences, as well as opportunities to produce original work in the form of articles to be widely published.”

About Webster Athens 
Webster Athens is the only fully owned and accredited U.S. university campus in Greece, bringing the best of American education to the heart of Athens. The University provides undergraduate and graduate programs that combine academic excellence with a unique cultural immersion, preparing students to succeed in an interconnected world.