Achieving energy transition requires innovative ideas, which universities can provide, Prof. Nicolaos Theodossiou of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki said during a cross-border conference held here on Wednesday. The event was part of BTA's Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project.
Theodossiou, who is the Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Networks (SDSN) - Black Sea and a member of the World Academy of Arts and Sciences, emphasized that the Aristotle University has been offering a postgraduate programme in environmental protection for over 25 years. He pointed out that the programme is one of the few that has survived for so long, which shows its importance.
He presented the United Nations Climate Action Network and stressed that the energy transition is the greatest challenge of our time. Theodossiou pointed out that the Sustainable Development Solutions Network involves universities and research centres, noting that according to the United Nations, innovative ideas are needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. "Because if we follow the path we have followed in the past, we will not get anywhere," he stressed.
"Our job in these universities is to look for the new knowledge that is being created and to see how far it can be extended beyond borders to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals," he stated, pointing out the importance of the 57 networks with over 2,000 members worldwide. "They produce a series of reports that are available for free. The best scientists in the world participate in them on all current issues," Theodossiou emphasized.
BTA's Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project aims to raise public awareness and foster open dialogue about cohesion policy, local achievements, and the implementation of the EU's policy priorities. The project kicked off with a conference in Veliki Preslav in November 2024. The schedule of conferences until the end of September 2025 includes events in the following cities: Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, Gabrovo, Dobrich, Kazanlak, Kardzhali, Kyustendil, Lovech, Montana, Pazardzhik, Pernik, Pleven, Razgrad, Ruse, Samokov, Svishtov, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofia, Stara Zagora, Troyan, Targovishte, Haskovo, Shumen, and Yambol. Cross-border conferences will be held in Belgrade, Bosilegrad, Bucharest, Edirne, Skopje, and Thessaloniki. The project builds on the Europe in the Balkans: A Common Future and Europe in Bulgaria: A Common Future projects, implemented by BTA in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
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