Training Week | European Junior Water Programme

From 10 – 14 October members of European Junior Water Programme (EJWP) Groups 3 and 4 combined expertise and learning paths in a Training Week hosted by the University of Thessaly, in Athens. The week saw immersion in European projects along with development activities and experiences in local culture and history.

Chrysi Laspidou, Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Thessaly and EJWP Ambassador opened the training week with a welcome briefing on the numerous engagement opportunities that awaited participants during the week.

The ARSINOE project was highlighted on Monday with an Athens case study for participant interaction with the Horizon Europe initiative that is aimed at creating climate resilient-regions through systemic solutions and innovations. The energy then continued to an on-site introduction and tour with EYDAP (water utility of Athens) on the historic Hadrian Aqueduct. 

On Thursday participants confronted the nexus of climate change and challenges faced with technological innovation  in an interactive masterclass with Dr. Phoebe Koundouri, Professor and Director of Research laboratory on Socio-Economic and Environmental Sustainability (ReSEES), Athens University of Economics and Business focused on “The future we want: SDG-based Investments”.

“Prof. Koundouri’s masterclass was an eye opener! It tought me more about, and made appreciate, how my own work fits into the nexus of climate change and the challenges faced with technological innovation in this space. Dr. Koundouri has definitely inspired me to delve deeper,” said Joseph Mooney, PhD, participating in the Training Week from Trinity College in Dublin.

Learn more about the Training Week here