Students Take Center Stage in a European Experience at E. Mandoulides Schools
250 Students from Greece and the Diaspora Collaborate, Debate, Connect, and … Have Fun
The 8th Simulation of the European Parliament Plenary Session brought together 250 students from 25
high schools across Greece and the diaspora. Organized by E. Mandoulides Schools, the event was
successfully held on Thursday, January 16, and Friday, January 17, 2025, at the Theater of the Cultural
and Sports Center of the School.
The theater was transformed into a modern plenary hall, where the student – “MEPs” discussed,
debated, proposed solutions, and collaborated on real European issues. Through rich dialogue, eight
communities shaped and passed bills aimed at solving current social and political problems.
The program, approved by the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports, was supported by
the European Commission’s Office in Greece and the European Commission’s Representation in
Greece.
Participating schools included:
12th General Lyceum of Thessaloniki, 1st General Lyceum of Alexandroupolis, 2nd General Lyceum of
Giannitsa “Anna Komnini”, 2nd General Lyceum of Eleutherio – Kordelio, 2nd General Lyceum of
Sykies “Philippos”, 2nd Experimental General Lyceum of Kilkis, 30th General Lyceum of Thessaloniki,
31st General Lyceum of Thessaloniki, 3rd General Lyceum of Alexandroupolis, 3rd General Lyceum of
Kalamaria, 4th General Lyceum of Kalamaria, 5th General Lyceum of Kavala, General Lyceum of
Soufli, General Lyceum of Spetses, General Lyceum of Hortiatis, Junior High Schools with Lyceum
classes of Rizomata, Athena Schools, Avgoulea – Linardatou Schools, E. Mandoulides School, Mary N.
Rapti Schools, N. Bakogianni Schools, Zogarfeion Lyceum of Istanbul, Axion High School,
Experimental School of the University of Thessaloniki, and Model General Lyceum of Agioi Anargiroi.
On the first day, Thursday, January 16, 2025, the Committee work – Drafting Resolutions– Preparing
speeches took place.
On Friday, January 17, 2025, the plenary session simulation of the European Parliament was held. The
young MEPs were welcomed by the General Director of E. Mandoulides Schools, Dr. Aspa Chasioti,
who initiated this event in 2015 and supervised its organization with the support of the school’s
dedicated team. The President of the Simulation of the European Parliament, Mr. Izzi Revah, a lawyer,
and graduate of E. Mandoulides Schools, also contributed to the event. Mrs. Elvira Forte, Public
Relations Manager of the European Parliament Office in Greece, addressed the students via a
recorded message.
Beyond the sessions, students had the opportunity to enjoy themselves, dance, and create beautiful
memories, showcasing the joy of collaboration and creativity.
After the conclusion of the session, the award ceremony followed. The awards presented to students
by the committee were: Best MEP Award, Best Committee Award, Best Summary Speaker Award, Best
Response Speaker Award, Best Defense Speaker Award, and Best Rebuttal Speaker Award. For the
first time, Humor and Cheerfulness Awards, Best Dancer Award, and Best Collaboration Award were
also given, as the simulation also requires these skills.
The awards were presented by, among others, Members of Parliament from Thessaloniki, Mr. Stavros Kalafatis and Mr. Stratos Simopoulos, the Deputy Mayor for Education of the Municipality of Thermi, Mr. Stelios Apostolou, Mr. Christos Roumpidis, Director of Secondary Education for Western Thessaloniki, Mr. Giannis Dermitzoglou, Director of Zografeion Lyceum in Istanbul, Mr. Kostas Mpliatkas, author – journalist and Mr. Kostas Papanikolaou, educator at the 5th General Lyceum of Kavala, who has been participating in the simulation almost since its inception.
This initiative is part of the effort by E. Mandoulides Schools to cultivate in students a deep
understanding and awareness of European issues, enhancing their democratic sensibilities.
The photos depict moments from the session, the award ceremony, and moments of relaxation and
fun for the young MEPs.
The Simulation of the European Parliament plenary session, along with the award ceremony was broadcast live by LIVEMEDIA, the event’s sponsor. You can watch it at the following link: https://www.livemedia.gr/simulation25
Here is a detailed breakdown of the awards:
Humor and Cheerfulness Award
Committee on Human Rights
Christos Giantsos, 30th General Lyceum of Thessaloniki
Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality
Aikaterini Tsoukali, 31st General Lyceum of Thessaloniki
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice, and Home Affairs
Aggelos Venieris Velopoulos, E. Mandoulides Schools
Committee on Transport and Tourism
Eleutherios Michalopoulos, General Lyceum of Hortiatis
Committee on the Environment, Public Health, and Food Safety
Vasileios Saritzoglou, Model General Lyceum of Agioi Anargiroi
Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
Maria – Zaharoula Evaggeliadi, Model General Lyceum of Agioi Anargiroi
Committee on Industry, Research, and Energy
Athina Evaggelou, 2nd Experimental General Lyceum of Kilkis
Committee on Culture and Education
Dominikos Chalvatzas, N. Bakogiannis Schools
Best Dancer Award
Committee on Human Rights
Maria Rizopoulou, 4th General Lyceum of Kalamaria
Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality
Orestis Dallas, Experimental School of the University of Thessaloniki
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice, and Home Affairs
Sotirios Fountas, Model General Lyceum of Agioi Anargiroi
Committee on Transport and Tourism
Dimitrios Avramis, General Lyceum of Hortiatis
Committee on the Environment, Public Health, and Food Safety
Anastasios Papandreou, 3rd General Lyceum of Alexandroupolis
Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
Athanasios – Ioakeim Zahos, E. Mandoulides Schools
Committee on Industry, Research, and Energy
Georgios Kefalas, 5th General Lyceum of Kavala
Committee on Culture and Education
Odysseas Kostidis, N. Bakogiannis Schools
Best Collaboration Award
Committee on Human Rights
Konstantinos Mpalaskas, 2nd General Lyceum of Giannitsa “Anna Komnini”
Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality
Zoi Anagnosti, 4th General Lyceum of Kalamaria
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice, and Home Affairs
Theodoros Fournarakos, General Lyceum of Spetses
Committee on Transport and Tourism
Nikolaos Dasteridis, 3rd General Lyceum of Alexandroupolis
Committee on the Environment, Public Health, and Food Safety
Christos Christoforidis, 5th General Lyceum of Kavala
Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
Vasileios Roditis, 3rd General Lyceum of Alexandroupolis
Committee on Industry, Research, and Energy
Christos Vasileiou, E. Mandoulides Schools
Committee on Culture and Education
Dimitrios Koulkovinis, AXION High School
Best Summary Speaker Award
Committee on Culture and Education
Ioulia – Georgia Poulouli, Mary Rapti Schools
Best Response Speaker Award
Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
Maria Athanassa, E. Mandoulides Schools
Best Defense Speaker Award
Committee on Industry, Research, and Energy
Alexandros Melidoniotis, 30th General Lyceum of Thessaloniki
Best Rebuttal Speaker Award
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice, and Home Affairs
Emmanoulia – Eleutheria Papapavlou, E. Mandoulides Schools
Best Committee Award
Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality
President: Despoina Panagoula
Best MEP Award
Committee on Human Rights
Athanasia Mihailidou, 3rd General Lyceum of Alexandroupolis
Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
Athina Zervoudaki, E. Mandoulides Schools
Committee on Industry, Research, and Energy
Ioannis Pagonis, E. Mandoulides Schools
Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality
Zoi Toptsi, E. Mandoulides Schools
Committee on Transport and Tourism
Nikolaos Roumanis, General Lyceum of Spetses
Committee on Environment, Public Health, and Food Safety
Sotirios Kouvelas, E. Mandoulides Schools
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice, and Home Affairs
Ioannis Friganiotis, Model General Lyceum of Agioi Anargiroi
Committee on Culture and Education
Stiliani Targoutzidou, 3rd General Lyceum of Kalamaria
Honorable Mention
Committee on Human Rights
Anastasia Likidi, 3rd General Lyceum of Alexandroupolis
Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
Athina Kampoli, Avgoulea – Linardatou Schools
Committee on Industry, Research, and Energy
Evangelos Piotopoulos, Avgoulea – Linardatou Schools
Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality
Leonidas Sardanidis, General Lyceum of Soufli
Committee on Transport and Tourism
Anthi Karapidaki, Avgoulea – Linardatou Schools
Committee on Environment, Public Health, and Food Safety
Ilektra Skoulikari, 5th General Lyceum of Kavala
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice, and Home Affairs
Adamantia Thomaidou, 5th General Lyceum of Kavala
Committee on Culture and Education
Maria Makri, 3rd General Lyceum of Kalamaria
