AFEA organized and supported a significant number of hybrid meetings in December 2021, contributing tο a dynamic and interactive “ending” for 2021 and looking towards 2022 with anticipation. As Sustainable Development actions have been fully incorporated in the daily operations and strategy of the company, AFEA team has included and supported many relevant actions in the context of its conferences. In particular:
The 30th Panhellenic Congress of the Hellenic Thoracic Society was organized on December 15th to 19th, 2021 at the Athenaeum Intercontinental Athens Hotel, a “Green venue” which adopts and implements the IHG Green Engage system, an innovative environmental sustainability system that gives the hotel the means to measure and manage the impact on the environment. Over 200 ‘Green Solutions’ are designed to help IHG reduce energy, water and waste, and improve the hotel's impact on the environment.
The Volunteer Group for the Donation of Bone Marrow titled “Will you Marrow Me?”, in collaboration with the Bone Marrow Donor Volunteer Bank “Vision of Hope” organized various awareness and information actions for the Voluntary Donation of Hematopoietic Cells / Bone Marrow, as well as registrations of new volunteer donors. The group is a member of the Scientific Society of Medical Students of Greece and had a dynamic presence during the congress.
Further actions were included during the Closing Ceremony of the conference. A musical performance by long-term Covid-19 patients was organized, an initiative by the National Theater of Greece entitled "The National Theatre Gives Breath", aiming to address the growing need for support for those who suffer from long-term Covid-19 symptoms. Additionally, an honorary award was given to Father Antonios Papanikolaou, the founder and representative of the Voluntary Non-Profit Organization "Ark of the World" for his overall contribution to society and his significant work for the children. The «Ark of the World» is a Charitable Nonprofit Organisation providing special care and protection to mothers and children.
Furthermore, another action was implemented by The Hellenic Association of Dietitians-Nutritionists (PSDD) and the Organizing and Scientific Committee of the 16th Hellenic Nutrition & Dietetics Congress, which was held as a virtual meeting on December 9th to 12th, 2021. The Committee supported for one more year the non-profit organization “Boroume”, and proceed to awareness and informative actions about the organisations' programs. Boroume ("We Can") is a non-profit organization whose mission is to reduce food waste and to fight malnutrition in Greece.
AFEA continues the investment in strengthening actions, in order to establish the organization of “Green meetings", following guidelines of National bodies, such as CSR Hellas, but also practices of leading International associations and organizations of the Meetings industry, such as IAPCO.
