At the 7th International Exhibition of Environmental Technologies VERDE.TEC, on February 21-23, 2025, the ACG Sustainability Director Rania Assariotaki, Office of Sustainability – Public Affairs, joined a distinguished panel of experts for the AFIS discussion, “The Role of Communication in Environmental Protection.” Held on February 22, the session explored how effective communication can inspire environmental action, shape public awareness, and engage citizens.
The panel discussion featured insights from Mr. Ioannis Lazaridis, CEO, AFIS, Dr. Stavroula Kavouri, R&D Manager, Polyeco, Dr. Alexandra Sofia Togia, CEO, Hellenic Recycling Agency (EOAN), and Ms. Sofia Kyrgiou, Founder, Trofoupoli. Ms. Lydia Alaiadi, Marketing Manager, AFIS, moderated the discussion.
Ms. Assariotaki, spoke about communication’s pivotal role in raising awareness but also in driving real change. “Communication is the tool that translates knowledge into action. If we don’t communicate environmental issues effectively, we cannot inspire action”, she stated, stressing the need for solution-oriented messaging over dystopian narratives, particularly in discussions on climate change. By cultivating hope and focusing on solutions, communication can empower collective action.
Addressing youth engagement, she emphasized that today’s younger generations are more informed on sustainability issues, eco-conscious, and engage in environmental advocacy. They expect concrete actions from businesses, organizations, and institutions. However, she stressed the absence of Gen Z voices in critical sustainability discussions. “In every panel, conference, and discussion, Gen Z is missing. We talk about them, but without them,” Ms. Assariotaki noted.
Further elaborating, she shared how ACG integrates sustainability into education through courses and seminars aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), hands-on projects, research programs, and NGO collaborations. Student-led initiatives like the “Green Team,” community events, and global engagement foster a culture of sustainability. Additionally, entrepreneurship programs support green startups, while campus-wide initiatives promote zero-waste practices, sustainable transportation, and plastic reduction.
