Theme: Urban Maze

As we navigate daily life's frenzy, we engage in complex interactions, both visible and invisible. TEDxPanteionUniversity's theme unveils the hidden truths in our daily encounters and familiar spaces, urging us to question our understanding of our environments and communities. In the urban labyrinth, we seek meaning and connection amidst challenges. This complexity offers innovation but also risks alienation. We aim to explore how urban interactions impact social justice and well-being, emphasizing the need for tangible engagement. We're called to examine our paths and uncover meaningful moments, finding beauty in discovering truth.

Νational ιnsurance Conference Center
Λεωφ. Ανδρέα Συγγρού 103, Αθήνα 117 45
Athens, Attiki, 11745
Greece

Adam Markakis

urban innovator

Adam Markakis, as an urban innovator, passionately works towards solving urban challenges. His mission is to radically improve city life through more sustainable and human-centered design. He is the co-founder of @astylabgr, an initiative to enhance urban living, and Astylab Ventures, an investment firm for urban technologies. In recent years, he has sought innovative urban mobility solutions, starting with the founding of Kineo, a micro-mobility subscription service, and now leading Kosmoride, a platform aimed at making city transport easy and flexible. In his talk, we will learn how to transform cities into economic and innovative hubs that offer a higher quality of life. Additionally, he will discuss the timeless evolution of cities and how they have always been centers of innovation for human civilization.

Anna Kouroupou

Activist

Anna Kouroupou identifies as a transgender woman. For about a decade, she has been writing for online media outlets, focusing on social issues and the rights of transgender individuals and vulnerable groups in general. She served as the general secretary of SYD (Support Association for Intersex Individuals) for 4 years. In 2015, along with her team, she founded Red Umbrella Athens (RUA), aiming to empower sex workers (cis & trans women and men) socially, institutionally, and preventively on health issues related to sexually transmitted diseases. Through her talk, we will learn interesting information about sex work, the myths surrounding it, the stigma attached to those who choose it, its difference from trafficking, and much more.

Aristidis Ntallas

Architect

Aristeidis Dallas was born in 1983 in Athens. After studying architecture at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), he founded his architectural firm in Athens in 2008. He also works as a scientific associate at NTUA, offering supplementary teaching in Architectural Design. In 2014, he expanded his practice to Tinos. His work has been published both in Greece and internationally, earning accolades in Greek and International Architectural Competitions. He has been recognized by the Hellenic Institute of Architecture (6th, 7th, 8th, 9th Biennale) among the best Young Greek Architects and was selected as one of the top 40 architects in Europe in 2017. In his talk, he will focus on the importance of architecture in the (re)shaping of the city and life within it, emphasizing the enormous responsibility of considering the needs and desires of residents, as well as the cultural and historical wealth of the city.

Dimitris Papadimitriadis

psychiatrist psychotherapist

Dr. Dimitris Papadimitriadis is a psychiatrist and psychotherapist. He studied Medicine at the University of Crete and International Public Health at the London School of Economics (LSE). He specialized in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the Royal Free Hospital and UCL Medical School, at the "Evangelismos" General Hospital, and at the Research University Institute of Mental Health. He has written books on anxiety and depression, appears in the media, and regularly contributes articles on major social issues. Additionally, he has served as Secretary General of the European Medical Students' Association in Brussels and as President of the Scientific Society of Medical Students in Greece. He has been awarded the "Civil Society" prize by the Scientific Society of General Medicine and the Panhellenic Federation of Non-Governmental Organizations by the editors of the Greek Radio.

Fotini Georgiou

Journalist

Fotini Georgiou studied Veterinary Medicine in Italy and at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. She has been working at ANT1 Group for 28 years, and in the past, she has also worked at ERT and ALTER. She started at ANT1 FM 97.1 radio as a collaborator on shows. Later, she worked on the radio Medical Report, writing and presenting news bulletins, afternoon informational magazines, and medical programs. Her debut on ANT1 TV was in 2006. Initially, she was a reporter for the Medical Report on the news bulletin. Twelve years ago, the show "HEALTH ABOVE ALL" was created. Fotini Georgiou is the Presenter - Editor-in-Chief and Reporter on this show. Her speech on "Health in the City" will approach the topic from an optimistic perspective. The central point will be the individual within the city. Mrs. Georgiou will comprehensively analyze the positive and negative consequences that urban life may have on our health.

Juliana Bousi

Copywriter

Juliana Bousi, the first model with visual impairment in Greece, is a graduate of the Philology Department at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Her professional experience spans multiple fields, including work as a copywriter, philologist, and radio producer. Additionally, she has furthered her knowledge through postgraduate studies in special education. Her love for music is undeniable, as she composes songs and plays the flute, piano, and tambouras. Her hobbies don't stop there; she is also involved in sports, writing articles and poems, learning foreign languages, and dancing. In her talk, she will discuss how accessibility is defined in the city and the emotions experienced by a person with visual impairment living an active daily life in a major urban center.

Margarita Kianidou

Architect

Margarita Kianidou is an Architect Engineer specializing in Sustainable Architecture. She is the founder of @onus.architecture.studio, focusing on Sustainable Architecture and Research on the best solutions for applying sustainability principles to the built environment. Her projects aim to improve the environmental, social, and economic performance of buildings and spaces, achieving the best possible architectural results. Her postgraduate thesis, in collaboration with Superuse Studios in Rotterdam, was exhibited at GEVEL 2020 under the aegis of MVRDV. In her talk on sustainable architecture, we will discover a new perspective on the buildings around us and how material choices and construction methods can impact the environment and our daily lives. She will introduce us to the world of circular economy and recycling of building materials, and ways we can environmentally save our planet.

Marina Arvanitaki

clinical supervisor, psychologist, and sexologist

Marina Arvanitaki, a clinical supervisor, psychologist, and sexologist, will guide us on an exciting exploration of how the urban environment affects interpersonal relationships, especially in the realm of love. Drawing from her personal experience as the creator of the project "sexethos," which focuses on education and awareness of human sexuality, and her recent book "Sex Ethos," Marina highlights how emotions transform and new forms of relationships emerge in the modern world. With her extensive experience in talks, seminars, and activities, as well as her active participation in international sexology associations, Marina Arvanitaki offers a profound exploration into the fascinating world of relationships and love.

Theodosis Vlasopoulos

Singer

Theodosios Vlasopoulos, known through his music under the name "Lobo," began experimenting with music and writing his first hip-hop pieces in 2006, from his early teenage years in Rhodes. Periodically, he participated in various side projects from other genres of music. Dedicated to his art and passionately striving to surpass the limits and labels of "what Greek rap is," Lobo continuously evolves his music and creative expression. His music revolves around social, political, and personal lyrics, with the latter marking the beginning of his first published song titled "20 χρόνια" ("20 years"). He is involved in music in general, from the industry to its production. Always true to himself and his love for music, "Lobo" continues and will continue to offer rap without limits.