Social Impact

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Goal 1: No poverty

1. Community volunteering “AUEB Volunteers”: in partnership with the NGOs Steps, Fabric Republic and Fenareti, AUEB participated in volunteering activities that supported the homeless, new mothers in need and people in general that cannot afford food and clothing.
2. Scholarships: we provided tuition fee scholarships to poor students of our bachelor and masters programs, through funds that are either provided by the University of managed by us.
3. Events: we organized a Christmas Bazaar, a theatre play for “SOS Children Village” and provided monetary donations to poor children through Kivotos and SOS villages.
4. Media awareness: through AUEB’s newspaper “OPAnews” as well as several press releases we raised awareness on the topic of poverty through interviews, scientific articles written by our faculty members as well as communicated our volunteering, events and scholarships program to our stakeholders.

 

 

 

 

Goal 2: Zero Hunger

Community volunteering “AUEB Volunteers”: we acted in partnership with the NGO Boroume, which fights food waste and supported them in their daily operations, as well as in their project that connects local farm producers with organizations and people in need.

Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being

1. Community volunteering “AUEB Volunteers”: We acted in partnership with:

• MDA, which supports patient of neuromuscular diseases, in their Summer Bazaar & Ladies’ lunch as well as the Official Athens Marathon
• “Positive Voice”, which supports HIV/AIDS patients, to raise awareness to Greek people around HIV, AIDS and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases.
• Make-A-Wish, which materializes wishes of children with terminal illnesses, for their Easter bazaar, as well as their annual event “Wish Star”.
• Hatzipaterio, which supports children with mental disabilities, in their annual fundraising event
• Safe Water Sports in order to educate children around water safety.
• The Organizing Committee of the Official Marathon in Athens and the Official Half-Marathon, in order for our volunteers to support various posts in the 4 events of 2018 and 2019
• GivMed,  an organization that makes sure that medicine is not wasted and is provided to people in need
• Angelman syndrome association, where we supported the annual assembly of patients and their families. The student Photography team of AUEB captured the event with a set of photos under the theme “The smile of a child”.
• Anasa, Prolepsis and AUEB’ Psychological Counseling team in order to host an event around healthy nutrition and eating disorders for the University’s community members
• Panos Milonas Road Safety Institute in order to educate young people, outside of clubs, about the importance of no driving, when drinking
• Pharmacists of the world, in order to collect medicine for people in need
• Children’s Hospital of Panagioti & Aglaia Kyriakou for the bi annual blood donation event

2. AUEB’s internal rules and regulation pays special attention to the health and safety standards of staff and students of AUEB at its premises, thus making it a safe place for people to work and learn.
3. Doctor and Mental Health Advisor: Since 2001, AUEB offers doctor and mental health advisory services to its members, free of charge.
4. Social welfare and psychological support team: The team aims at supporting students in need, in order to support their mental health and support them in case they face any challenges. They organize workshops, provide one-to-one counseling and group discussions on topics of the students’ particular interest and needs.
5. Events:

• We organized two 2-day Health Awareness events and several other shorter info-seminars at our premises in order to educate our community on blood donation, bone marrow donation, breast cancer, and HIV/AIDS.
• Twice a year we organize Blood Donation at our premises in cooperation with the Children’s Hospital “Panayioti & Aglaia Kyriakou”.
• We organized a donation of saliva sample event in order for our community members to register themselves at the Bone Marrow donors’ database, in cooperation with “Orama Elpidas” NGO.

6. Research: The relevant publications of the teaching and research staff of AUEB can be found in section “Research on SDGs” of the report. In addition, several members of the faculty organize seminars around diverse health related issues, such as biostatistics, health economics, CoViD-19 etc
7. Media awareness: through AUEB’s newspaper “OPAnews” as well as several press releases we raised awareness on the topic of poverty through interviews, scientific articles written by our faculty members as well as communicated our volunteering, events and scholarships program to our stakeholders.

 

Goal 4: Quality Education

1. Community Volunteering “AUEB Volunteers”:

• In collaboration with the Municipality of Athens, we donated school supply to the 5,000 pupils of schools in the city
• We provided free tutoring on school subjects, English and computer skills to young pupils, immigrants or Greeks with economic difficulties, in collaboration with the NGOs Caritas Hellas, Be the Miracle, Revive Greece, Metadrasi, Zaatar and the Municipality of Athens.
• We organized a training day for the AUEB Volunteers (AUEB Volunteers Day), i.e. students, with the objective to train them on decision making, critical thinking and career orientation skills. Also, in cooperation with ACEin, we organized UniChallenge, an event to train them on innovation and entrepreneurship though the implementation of design thinking.

2. AUEB’s Mission & Strategic Goals: 
   According to its Internal Constitution and Regulations, AUEB’s mission is to provide services and continuous training to its students, in order to improve the level of their education. There are three offices that particularly take care of supporting students in their studies: the career office, the teaching support unit, as well as a faculty member per Department, who can advise any student 24/7.
3. Educational Programs core principles: responsibility and sustainability: 
   AUEB Schools have adapted their curricula in order to incorporate the principles of responsible management and sustainability. Students are familiarized with the concept of Responsible Entrepreneurship and Management and are informed about issues of sustainability and corporate social responsibility. In this way, they are given the necessary stimuli that encourage their participation in sustainability initiatives and corporate social responsibility. Apart from the specific courses enriched by the curricula, the teaching staff enriches the content of their courses with invited speakers and case studies.

More specifically, for each curriculum (undergraduate, postgraduate) below are listed the courses that refer exclusively to the issues of Responsibility, Sustainability and CSR for the academic years 2019-2020:

Undergraduate Study Programs:

• Environmental Economics - Department of International & European Economic Studies
• Corporate Ethics and Responsibility - Department of Marketing & Communication
• Statistical Methods for the Environment & Ecology - Department of Statistics
• Business Ethics - Department of Accounting & Finance
• Social Entrepreneurship - Department of Business Organization & Administration
• Public Relations & Business Ethics - Department of Business Organization & Administration

Postgraduate Study Programs:

• Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility - MSc Human Resources Management
• Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Energy - MBA Business Administration with International Orientation
• International Strategies and Sustainability Reports - MBA Business Administration with International Orientation
• Business Ethics and Corporate Governance – MBA Business Administration with International Orientation
• Financial Management of Energy Resources - MBA Business Administration with International Orientation
• Strategic Transformation in the Health Sector - MBA Business Administration with International Orientation
• Leadership and Responsibility - MSc Public Policy & Administration
• Ethics and Corruption in the Public Sector - MSc Public Policy & Administration
• Legal, Ethical and Policy Issues in data science - MSc in Data Science
• Environmental Economics - Department of Economics
• Environmental Planning and Sustainable Development - Master in Business Administration
• Energy Transformation and Renewable Energy Sources - Master in Business Administration
• Energy Financial Markets Law - Master in Business Administration
• Financial Derivatives in the Energy Market - Master in Business Administration
• Medical Statistics - MSc in Applied Statistics
• Fraud: Methods of Analysis and Prevention - MSc in Financial Management
• Energy Economics - MSc in Economics and Law in Energy Markets
• Energy Law - MSc in Finance and Energy Markets Law

• Economics of Natural Resources and the Environment - MSc in Economics and Law in Energy Markets

• Environmental Law - MSc in Finance and Energy Markets Law
• Evaluation of Investment Programs in Infrastructure and Energy and Risk Management - MSc in Finance and Law in the Energy Markets
• Special Issues of Energy Policy - MSc in Finance and Law in the Energy Markets
• Planning and Financial Regulation of Energy Markets - MSc in Finance and Law in Energy Markets
• Legal Aspects of Energy Union and Climate Action - MSc in Economics and Energy Market Law
• Models of Energy, Environment and Economy - MSc in Finance and Law in the Energy Markets
• Sustainable Development and Limited Carbon Economies - MSc in Economics and Law in Energy Markets
• Corporate Governance and Business Ethics - MSc in Applied Economics and Finance

 

4. Executive Education Center & E-learning:

The ultimate goal of the Center is provide vocational training and lifelong learning. This objective is fulfilled through the provision of high quality training programs that complement the knowledge, skills and competences acquired through formal education, vocational training and initial vocational training or work experience, thus facilitating integration or reintegration into the labor market, job security and professional and personal development. Many of these programs are also offered in an e-learning mode, thus making knowledge accessible to everyone anywhere. Two programs related to Corporate Social Responsibility that are provided physically are the following:

• "Implementing Sustainable Transition: Agenda 2030, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the European Green Agreement": The seminar provides key theoretical and practical background for sustainable development executives in a way that will enable them to integrate the relevant principles of sustainable development in their daily practice in the process of decision-making and fundraising for their implementation.
• "Diploma in Social Entrepreneurship (DoSE)": The training program is aimed at individuals seeking to acquire knowledge and skills within the social entrepreneurship ecosystem with the aim of a) creating sustainable social enterprises, b) managing problems and opportunities for social impact initiatives, c) to have an active role in Corporate Social Responsibility actions and d) to undertake an advisory role in the field of social economy.

An online program related to Corporate Social Responsibility issues is "Corporate Ethics and Social Responsibility": The program aims to introduce learners to the basic concepts of Corporate Ethics and Corporate Responsibility, Responsible Production and Consumption and Corporate Responsibility Communication and to present examples and case studies from the entrepreneur sector.

5. Social Enterpreneurship Unit: The mission of the "Social Entrepreneurship Unit" is to inspire, educate and support those who wish to deal with issues of Social Entrepreneurship. The unit is trying to achieve this goal by a. offering education to students through the principles of sustainable and responsible entrepreneurship and social innovation, b. Promoting research that contributes to the development of research frameworks and practical tools aimed at enhancing the social impact of business, c. developing and supporting a network of academics, social entrepreneurs and organizations seeking to enhance their social performance and d. creating partnerships of social entrepreneurs with business executives, governments and NGOs with the aim of developing new approaches, attracting resources and enhancing social impact.
6. Youth Enterpreneurship Summer School: The Youth Entrepreneurship Summer School (YES) is organized by the Department of Management Science & Technology and aims to promote youth innovation and entrepreneurship. The program is aimed at high school students (mainly 2nd and 3rd grade), who are interested in acquiring knowledge and skills related to business and the business process. The curriculum includes, among others, courses from academic lecturers and lectures by invited entrepreneurs, a visit to a company, analysis and discussion of case studies from the Greek and international reality, participation in business games, group activities, and elaboration and development of a business plan for a new business. The courses of the study program cover the modules of "Business Ethics", "Sustainable Development" and "Corporate Social Responsibility".
7. Teaching excellence: AUEB instituted the "Award for Outstanding Performance in Teaching" for the academic years 2018-19 and 2019-20, which awards one faculty member from each Department, who received the highest grade in the student evaluation process.
8. Student excellence scholarships: we provided tuition fee scholarships to excellent students of our bachelor and masters programs
9. Special services from AUEB’s Library: at AUEB’s library there is the possibility of electronic access to the Greek bibliography of the courses taught at the University, for students who face problems of impaired or impaired vision and generally to students who due to a disability are not able to read a printed text or to perceive the content of a work using their physical senses.
10. Donations: we donated old PCs and equipment to schools around the country, and coordinated book donations – through the University’s Library- to schools and libraries around Greece.
11. Entrepreneurship Center (ACEin): The "Athens Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Support", which is a unit of the Employment and Career Office (DASTA), aims to support innovative new entrepreneurship for sustainable growth and jobs. Through a variety of actions, the beneficiary business schemes can be trained in practice on basic entrepreneurship issues, utilize support services (such as business plan writing, legal, accounting and financial support) and, finally, have the opportunity to network on an international scale. The programs supported by "ACEin" are the following:
12. i-MBA Sustainable Development & Circular Economy Club: AUEB’s International MBA created the "Sustainable Development & Circular Economy Club" in early 2020 in order to focus on any aspect of sustainable development and the circular economy. The club will consist of students and graduates of the program, who will organize and support events and research on these specific issues.
13. Seminars & Competitions: we organized various seminars and competitions, in cooperation with several stakeholders from the private and the public sector, that complement our students’ learning experience.
14. Media awareness: through AUEB’s newspaper “OPAnews” as well as several press releases we raised awareness on the topic of quality education through interviews, scientific articles written by our faculty members as well as communicated our volunteering, events and scholarships program to our stakeholders.

Goal 5: Gender Equality

• Community volunteering “AUEB Volunteers”: we organized 2 workshops on “Gender-based violence” for AUEB’s students and participated in the annual event Walk for Freedom, organized by the NGO A21, against human trafficking.
• Event: the Hellenic Society of University Women with the support of the "MSc in Human Resource Management" of AUEB, on the occasion of Women's Day, organized a seminar with the theme "Developments in the Position of Women in Greek Universities".
• Media awareness: through AUEB’s newspaper “OPAnews” as well as several press releases we raised awareness on the topic of gender diversity through interviews, scientific articles written by our faculty members as well as communicated our volunteering opportunities and events.
• HR Case Study Series: The "MSc in Human Resource Management" publishes the series entitled "HR Case Study Series". The 15th issue, published in November 2019, was entitled "Competent women in the workplace: Stereotypes and discrimination".

Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

No activities recorded for the specific time period.

Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy

• Postgraduate Program: The "MSc in Law and Economics in Energy Markets" has as its subject the fields "European and International Energy Economics" and "European and International Energy Law". The purpose of the program is to promote knowledge and develop interdisciplinary analysis and research in the field of energy markets. In particular, the MSc aims to train specialized scientists, able to adequately meet the needs of companies and public and private sector organizations, in Greece, in Europe and internationally, to resolve complex legal and economic issues and to contribute decisively to the operation and development of companies active especially in the field of energy markets.
• Socio-Economic and Environmental Sustainability Research Laboratory (ReSEES): The "Research laboratory on Socio-Economic and Environmental Sustainability” (ReSEES) serves teaching and research needs in the subject Sustainable Management of Natural Resources and Energy: Economic, Econometric and Economic, Social Aspects . Central to the mission of "ReSEES" is the pursuit of excellence in conducting and presenting research and exploring issues related to the environment, natural resources and energy at different time and space scales.
• Energy & Sustainability Club: The "Energy & Sustainability Club" is under the "umbrella" of the International MBA program. The main activities of the association are the organization of seminars and lectures by energy experts, as well as conducting scientific research in the fields of energy, environment and sustainable development.
• Conferences – Seminars: we organized several conferences on the topic, such as the 7th Energy Conference on "Innovation & Investments towards a Sustainable Transitional Energy", the Conference on "Energy Markets, European Union and Greece: achievements and prospects", a Seminar on "Economy and Energy - the Current of the time" and on Blockchain technology in the field of Energy.
• Media awareness: through AUEB’s newspaper “OPAnews” as well as several press releases we raised awareness on the topic of energy through interviews, scientific articles written by our faculty members as well as communicated our seminars and events.

Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth

• Community volunteering “AUEB Volunteers”: our students volunteered in the Career Days, organized by the University and we hosted a workshop around bullying in the workplace and cyber, in cooperation with the Association of Criminologists of the Panteion University.
   
• Internal Safety Regulations & Safety Instructions 
  AUEB has drafted and approved the "Internal Security Regulation of the Athens University of Economics and Business and the Memorandum of Action for the Management of Emergencies (earthquake - fire and other incidents)" from January 2020. In addition, the following "safety instructions" have been communicated to the community:
  • Guidelines of the World Health Organization
  • Instructions on preventive measures against the spread of infection from SARS-CoV-II
  • Instructions for the prevention and treatment of influenza virus
  • Health & safety guidelines for preventing and dealing with dangerous situations due to earthquake
  • Health & safety instructions for the prevention and treatment of dangerous situations due to fire
  • Health & safety instructions for the prevention and treatment of dangerous situations due to thermal stress
  • Health & safety instructions for pregnant women
  • Health & safety instructions for office work
  • Health & safety instructions for manual handling of cargo
  • Health & safety instructions for working with hand tools
  • Occupational medicine brochure for the prevention and treatment of heat stroke
• AUEB’s Compendium: it refers to the "Department of Protection, Security and Logistics" (article 11). Areas of responsibility of the Department are: a) Ensuring the order and safety of the staff and visitors of the Foundation and protecting the property of the Foundation, b) The tidiness and cleanliness of the premises, indoor and outdoor, of the Foundation and c) execution of general administrative tasks of the Foundation.
• Innovation & Entrepreneurship Unit: it provides services of awareness, education and support of entrepreneurship in its early towards students and any stakeholder. It dows so through Startups Career Days, business idea competitions and programs that try to address the high levels of youth unemployment.
• AUEB career days: the Career Office organizes the annual "Career Days". The event is addressed exclusively to students and graduates of the Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programs, as well as doctoral students or holders of a doctoral degree from AUEB.
• Event: "Prevention of Urban Fires - Safe Evacuation of a Building": in the context of the effort for the most effective response to catastrophic phenomena, AUEB organized a training day with the assistance of the Fire Brigade.
• HR Case Study Series: The "MSc in Human Resource Management" publishes the series entitled "HR Case Study Series". The special edition of June 2020 was entitled "30 questions and answers for work issues in the time of COVID-19".

Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Media awareness: through AUEB’s newspaper “OPAnews” as well as several press releases we raised awareness on the topic of industry and innovation,  through interviews, scientific articles written by our faculty members as well as communicated our seminars and events.

Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities

1. Community volunteering “AUEB Volunteers”: we volunteered in several programs, in cooperation with NGOs, such as:

• Tango, pilates and computer lessons with out-of-prison women, in cooperation with the NGO Diktyo
• Supported the NGO Revive Greece at their social media, volunteers management and training on coding to vulnerable groups
• We participated in several sport events with vulnerable groups, such as MDA and people with neuro-diseases, Shedia and homeless people, Hellenic horse riding championship with Special Olympics team. Our volunteers also supported several NGOs working with children with some form of disability.

2. Seminar: "Greece in crisis: Fiscal adjustment, structural reforms and their effects on inequality and poverty": In the framework of the Jean Monnet Program, AUEB the seminar "What opposes the development of the Greek economy?" on "Greece in Crisis: Fiscal Adjustment, Structural Reforms and Their Impact on Inequality and Poverty". This seminar is also part of Objective 1.
3. Media awareness: through AUEB’s newspaper “OPAnews” as well as several press releases we raised awareness on the topic of inequalities, through interviews, scientific articles written by our faculty members as well as communicated our seminars and events.

Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

1. Community volunteering “AUEB Volunteers”: we volunteered in several programs, in cooperation with NGOs, and organized a run-race at the city centre, named OPA Run. On 6/5/2018, the 1st Road Race of AUEB took place at Areos Park. On 12/5/2019 the 2nd Road Race took place with more than 1,600 runners filling the historical park with the motto "All together for Areos Park", with the participation of the community of AUEB with a large number of students, members of the teaching staff research and administrative staff. The Attica Region was the co-organizer, while it was performed under the auspices of the Municipality of Athens and with the support of the Panhellenic Gymnastics Association. Part of the proceeds was donated to KETHEA DIAVASI, the largest network of social reintegration of former drug-addicts. This action is also subject to Objective 3.
2. Seminars and competitions: on this topic AUEB organized several seminars or participated in competitions, such as: "Monuments in the center of life, sustainability and sustainable development", “The Digital Gate III” in cooperation with the Athens International Airport and finally, the "Aldemar Academy 2019" Program, where students had to create a "business plan" regarding the creation of the 1st Modern Experiential Park of the Olympic Ideal.
3. Media awareness: through AUEB’s newspaper “OPAnews” as well as several press releases we raised awareness on the topic of sustainable cities, through interviews, scientific articles written by our faculty members as well as communicated our seminars and events.

Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production

• Community volunteering “AUEB Volunteers”: we volunteered in several programs, in cooperation with NGOs around the topic, in cooperation with WWF Greece.
• Media awareness: through AUEB’s newspaper “OPAnews” as well as several press releases we raised awareness on the topic of responsible consumption, through interviews, scientific articles written by our faculty members as well as communicated our seminars and events.

Goal 13: Climate action

1. Community volunteering “AUEB Volunteers”: we volunteered in several programs, in cooperation with NGOs around the topic, in cooperation with WWF Greece, mainly targeting at awareness around the importance of recycling.
2. Strategy for the Environment & Climate Change
   AUEB, recognizing the importance of environmental protection, has been implementing "AUEB Strategy for Environment and Climate Change" since June 2008. The main actions for the implementation of this Strategy include:

• Introduction of Natural Gas for the heating system: The transition of the heating system of the University from oil to natural gas has been completed. In addition to operating costs, it has significant environmental benefits due to its lower greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), the most important of which is carbon dioxide (CO2).
• Reduction of electricity consumption: The replacement of the old incandescent lamps with new lamps of low energy consumption category "A" in all the buildings has been completed. Pollutant emissions attributed to the use of our University lamps decreased by 68.26 tons of CO2 or by 82%.
• Establishment of Recycling Centers: The implementation of recycling processes is a fundamental component of our environmental policy. At AUEB we have focused on the following recycling categories, in the context of which significant environmental benefits are obtained: a) recycling of toners and ink cartridges, b) recycling of light bulbs, c) recycling of paper, d) recycling of batteries and e) recycling of frying oil. The University collects data on recycling on an annual basis.
• Study for the application of green roofs in buildings: Green roofs are now a successful effort to create coolness and oxygen in big cities. A specialized design company evaluates the alternative scenarios, the possibilities and the static strengths of the buildings, etc.
• Air conditioning fleet maintenance program and replacement of old appliances and ventilation systems control.
• Integration of ecological criteria in the equipment markets: It is a requirement of the University for our suppliers to follow environmentally friendly procedures.
• Encourage the use of textbooks & online course support: Ecological awareness calls for the reduction of paper as a means of communication, where possible, and its replacement by electronic media. The Open eClass platform is already widely used in the AOC by the University Community, and a further systematic effort is being made to expand the use of new technologies for the benefit of students and the environment.
• Ensuring access to the University by people with disabilities: Studies are carried out on issues related to ease of access and traffic safety in the buildings, as well as the possibility of easy exit in case of emergency.
• Drafting of a Code of Environmental Ethics: It has been drafted by the Environmental Policy Committee, which is applied by the entire University Community.

3. Event: AUEB organized the "Climate Change Symposium: Threats, Challenges, Solutions for Greece". The "Research Laboratory in Socio-Economic and Environmental Sustainability (ReSEES)" of AUEB in collaboration with other agencies held this event on 3/4/2019. The event aimed at climate change in Greece, where experts from different scientific fields presented holistic solutions capable of combating this global problem and eliminating the negative effects on the environment and society. At the end of the event, participants had the opportunity to engage in games related to climate change in order to understand the effects of climate change, determine their level of awareness and help the process of formulating relevant solutions.
4. Media awareness: through AUEB’s newspaper “OPAnews” as well as several press releases we raised awareness on the topic of climate change, through interviews, scientific articles written by our faculty members as well as communicated our seminars and events.

Goal 14: Life below water

1. Community volunteering “AUEB Volunteers”: we volunteered cleaning a beach in cooperation with the Hellenic Marine Protection Association and we partnered with Safe Water Sports, in order to educate children about how to be safe at the beach and the sea.
2. Partnership with Laskaridis Foundation
   Within the framework of the memorandum of cooperation of AUEB with the Foundation "Aikaterini Laskaridis" the following actions were implemented or are expected to be implemented based on the 2019-2020 planning-report:

   A) Planning actions for informing the public focusing on the consequences of the use of plastic for the environment and society. The actions are planned to be implemented within the current year and concern:

   • organization of an information day of separate thematic units in order to highlight the developments and the obstacles in the use of the plastic bag.
   • organization of action in the Pikrodafni stream in the framework of the initiatives "Let's Clean Europe" and "Let's Do It Greece" in order to highlight the problem of transporting waste to the shores through rivers and streams.
   • implementation of initiatives that involve the tourism industry due to its contribution to the problem of waste, but also the value of the clean natural environment to attract tourists.
   • implementation of the initiative "Plastic and Sports" through which the connection of sports activities with the need to reduce disposable plastics is attempted.
   • Continuation of the information campaign for the reduction of disposable plastics for the whole year 2020.

B) The operation of the "BlueCycle" program has started: "BlueCycle" is an independent program of Blue and Circular economy that holistically approaches the problem of marine plastic waste. With the vision of creating a new "life cycle" for these materials, "BlueCycle" is based on research, innovation, new technologies and creativity, proposing sustainable solutions in favor of environmental protection.

C) The "BlueCycle Lab" was created, which is a center for the processing and recycling of plastic equipment from fishing and shipping activities. In the "BlueCycle Lab" will be done:

• processing of plastics of fishing and shipping activity,
• research on the viability of materials and their new uses,
• design and development of products, services and / or works of art,
• quality control of the produced material.

3. Media awareness: through AUEB’s newspaper “OPAnews” as well as several press releases we raised awareness on the topic of life below water, through interviews, scientific articles written by our faculty members as well as communicated our seminars and events.

Goal 15: Life on land

Community volunteering “AUEB Volunteers”: we volunteered on several opportunities to support the efforts of NGOs and the State after the catastrophic fires in East Attica in summer 2018.

Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

1. Compendium - Internal Regulations

   The Draft Compendium (2019) and Internal Regulations (2002) of AUEB refer to articles related to justice and the strong institutions in the operation of the University. More specifically, the following are mentioned:

   • Mission: The Athens University of Economics and Business is a public sector university and its mission is to produce and disseminate knowledge in areas that serve the national and international economy and society, as well as to shape responsible citizens capable of creating, offering , to participate and lead in the wider international environment.
   • Principles and Values: a) Commitment to the advancement of science and the transmission of knowledge, b) Education and higher education as levers of moral, social and economic progress, c) The safeguarding of democratic institutions and the rights of the citizen. Discrimination based on race, gender, ideology, religion, social status, appearance or sexual preference is not permitted. In addition, the University provides for people with disabilities, both in relation to physical access to the premises of the Institution and in relation to the educational process, d) Academic freedom in research and teaching, as well as free expression and movement ideas within the framework defined by the Constitution and the laws of the State, e) Merit, f) Respect for the University entity and g) Academic ethics and social contribution.
   • Legal Service: It is responsible for the legal service of the Institution in all its cases, judicial or extrajudicial, and the legal support of its Authorities and Services with written and oral opinions.
   • Department of Internal Audit: The area of ​​responsibility of the Department is the control of the observance of the legality of the financial and administrative management of the University.
   • Office of the "Student Advocate": The purpose of the office is the mediation between students and teachers or administrative services of the Foundation, the observance of legality in the context of academic freedom, the treatment of maladministration and the maintenance of the proper functioning of the Office.
   • Complaints and Dispute Resolution Committee: The Committee is responsible for resolving disputes between members of the university community at the request of any interested party or the Rector. In addition, the Rector may consult the Commission on matters relating to disciplinary offenses.
   • Rights and Obligations of the members of the Teaching Research Staff: This chapter includes the articles related to: a) the swearing in of the faculty members, b) the rights and obligations of the faculty members, c) the training of the faculty members, d) the evaluation of the teaching project and e) the annual activity report of each faculty member.
   • Rights and Obligations of other categories of Staff: For the categories of staff (Scientific Associates, EEDIP, EIB, Administrative Staff) of AUEB, reference is made to their rights and obligations, as well as to their education and training.
   • Disciplinary Provisions: a) Faculty Members, b) Other Teaching Staff and EIB members, c) Administrative Staff and d) Students.
   • Rights and Obligations of Students: This chapter refers to student status, health care, monitoring the educational process, textbooks / aids, use of University facilities and equipment, scholarships, representation in University Organizations, in transfers, in the cessation of social benefits, etc. (It also falls under Objective 4).

2. Use of “Turnitin” plagiarism software: AUEB has an unlimited license to use the “Turnitin” plagiarism software, which enables the teachers to verify the authenticity and originality of their students' work.

 

 

Goal 17: Partnership for the Goals

1. Community volunteering “AUEB Volunteers”: we volunteered on several opportunities to support the efforts of NGOs and the University in order to achieve their goals and their impact in society.

2. CSR Hellas: Since 2012, AUEB has signed a memorandum of cooperation with the "Hellenic Network for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR Hellas)" with the aim of cooperation and exchange of knowledge and experience between the business world and the AUEB academic community on social responsibility issues. In this context of cooperation, executives of "CSR Hellas" make presentations and seminars to the students and participate in research programs undertaken by faculty members of AUEB.

3. “Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME)”: since February 2013, AUEB participates in the initiative "Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME)". PRME is aimed at Business Schools and Universities that want to gradually adapt their curricula, research, teaching methodologies and strategies, based on corporate responsibility and sustainability (CSR).

4. Children's Hospital: in the context of humanitarian events, AUEB organizes in collaboration with the Athens Children's Hospital Panagioti & Aglaias Kyriakou, voluntary blood donations at the University.

5. Hellenic Petroleum: AUEB and Hellenic Petroleum (ELPE) signed a memorandum of cooperation, lasting three years (2018-2021), in areas of common educational and scientific interest based on Excellence, while special emphasis will be given to the Organization and Management of Energy and Sustainable Development. AUEB and ELPE will take initiatives to achieve the following actions: a) The joint organization of events, b) The joint design of proposals for research programs and projects funded by national and European resources, c) The exchange of know-how for strengthening the extroversion of Greek companies and the promotion of entrepreneurship and innovation in MBA students, d) The design and implementation of specialized "lifelong learning" programs for ELPE executives who are taught by MBA professors.

6. Global Sustain: "MSc MBA International" is a member of "Global Sustain". Founded in 2006, Global Sustain offers innovative services related to sustainability, corporate responsibility, green economy, responsible investment, business ethics and excellence, transparency, human rights and accountability. The "MSc MBA International" participates in the events, is informed and informs about social responsibility actions and supports the initiatives of "Global Sustain".

7. "Ekaterini Laskaridis Public Benefit Foundation (ACLCF)": AUEB has signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Public Benefit Foundation "Ekaterini Laskaridis (ACLCF)", from the academic year 2018-19, in order for the University to participate in the "Cooperation Network for the Marine Environment". AUEB and the Public Benefit Foundation "Aikaterini Laskaridis (ACLCF)" jointly develop activities and collaborations with the other members of the Network for the protection of the sea, with reference center in Greece and the Mediterranean (shoreline cleaning, Blue Economy, disposable plastics and institutional change and lobbying). AUEB participates in the Network through the "Research Laboratory in Socio-Economic and Environmental Sustainability (ReSEES)".

8. EIT Climate-KIC Hub Greece: the "Socio-Economic and Environmental Sustainability Research Laboratory (ReSEES)" of AUEB is a member of the network "EIT Climate-KIC Hub Greece" since 2018. The EIT program accelerates climate innovation across Europe. The newly established unit "EIT Climate KIC Greece Hub" is coordinated by Professor, Mrs. Koundouri Phoebe, and consists of a consortium of various organizations in Greece. The "EIT Climate KIC Hub" brings to the surface the potential of Greece for innovative solutions in "CleanTech", "WaterTech", the economy and the financing of innovative projects.

9. Sustainable Development Solutions Network: the “United Nations Network for Sustainable Development (UN SDSN)” mobilizes the global scientific community to promote practical solutions for sustainable development. The "Research Laboratory in Socio-Economic and Environmental Sustainability (ReSEES)" of AUEB is officially a member of the network since 2019. The Greek network "SDSN-Greece", collaborates with United Nations organizations and private sector companies to achieve the goals sustainable development (SDGs).

10. Collaborations with Association "DIAZOMA" and Athens School of Fine Arts: AUEB cooperates with "DIAZOMA"., with the aim to support of voluntary educational actions in the field of holistic cultural management of monuments for their sustainable development and utilization in education. This cooperation is also subject to Objective 11. In addition, AUEB collaborates with the Athens School of Fine Arts, with the main goal of connecting art with education

11. Media awareness: through AUEB’s newspaper “OPAnews” as well as several press releases we raised awareness on the topic of partnerships for the SDG goals, through interviews, scientific articles written by our faculty members as well as communicated our seminars and events.