The Participation

SEV and SEV Council for Sustainable Development have been pioneers in the creation of the Initiative Sustainable Greece 2020 and have contributed actively via the Initiative in the development of all the necessary tools and methodologies for the promotion of a modern business model with increased social responsibility and accountability.

We acted accordingly because we truly believe that Sustainable Development is the only real solution for an open and competitive economy in which the private initiative constitutes the main driver for growth and the state is the safeguard of institutions and social cohesion.

We face many challenges. Picking up a few of them, we can refer to the waste and water resources management, the protection of biodiversity, the cyclic economic, the energy effectiveness and energy mixture. All these issues can provide an opportunity for investment, employment while contributing to the upgrading of the environment.

The investment opportunities that will arise are indeed important and the state must make them attractive to Greek and foreign investors ensuring a stable and predictable environment.

The Initiative Sustainable Greece 2020 which is implemented by QualityNet Foundation, the Network of Responsible Organizations and Responsible Citizens, constitutes an Initiative that brings together the business community, the State as well as the citizen’s networks and associations with the common goal to promote Sustainable Development and Responsible Business in our country.

An Initiative, in which the Hellenic Bank Association participates actively as an Inaugural member and continues to support its important work in progress such as the creation of a Greek Sustainability Code.

The Code constitutes a practical tool for the promotion of Sustainable Development, transparency and competitiveness of the production setting the framework for the creation of other parallel incentives in cooperation with all involving parties such as Banks, Chambers of Commerce for the promotion of exports etc.

The Initiative Sustainable Greece 2020 becomes even more important in today’s context of economic and social crisis where the point is to be able to create a new development model that would liberate creative forces while transforming our production base via innovation and openness.

Sustainable Development is one of the most crucial topics of our time. The actual term describes a development that is able to enhance –and not to deny- future opportunities. A development that meets people’s needs, improves the quality of life and is based on efficient and environmentally responsible use of the societies’, natural, human or financial resources. Sustainable Development Initiatives that take place in Europe have as main goal to enhance the transition to an efficient in terms of use of resources economy which will be disconnected from the use of energy. In parallel, it is important to apply policies that would help businesses especially SME’s to respond to the challenges of globalization being competitive and efficient by revising their strategies and organizational structures.

The Initiative “Sustainable Greece 2020” has contributed substantially to the dialogue developed through an open consultation among businesses and all interested bodies as well as to the recording of actions and programs that have already been implemented.

Furthermore, the creation of methodologies and tools as well as the best practices registration constitute main goals of the Initiative which will support further the Organizations and the Enterprises towards the direction of Sustainable Development and will contribute to the efforts of the Greek State to develop equivalent public policies.

Sustainable Development in terms of growth with social cohesion and respect for the environment constitutes a strategic choice of SEVT. During our times, where the environment is high on the agenda of the state and the social partners, the Food Industry launches initiatives and increases its efforts for the development and implementation of a long-term environmental strategy which will lead to the tackling of important and chronic issues that restrict sustainability and deter investments. In this context, SEVT congratulated the Initiative Sustainable Greece 2020 as an effort of crucial importance and as one of its Inaugural members facilitated in the implementation of the Initiative’s goals namely the promotion of Sustainable Development and the creation of methodologies its support.

In the first year of the Initiative, the active participation of representatives of the business community, the local authorities and the civil society had as a result the evolvement of sustainable development according to the priorities that had been set by the European Commission in terms of a balance amongst the economic growth, the social cohesion and the protection of the environment.

The further connection of the tourist activities of our country with the primary production, the employment, the local societies and the environment, are amongst the main priorities of the sector for the next coming years.
In addition to that, it is the right moment for the touristic companies to promote, to develop and to make more systematic the practices of sustainable and responsible tourism they implements.

In this context, we believe that the Initiative Sustainable Greece 2020 has already shown in its first year an important outcome. With the support of more and more associations and businesses it is certain that this platform of exchange of knowledge and experiences will create the vehicle through which we could strengthen the dialogue on sustainability issues and the formulation of public policies for the future.

In this great effort that our country is undertaking in order to restore stability, the Initiative is expected to be even more active.

The Medicine sector has at the heart of its philosophy the conviction that with continuous search for new knowledge and investment in innovation, it is possible to “cure” many economic malaises which do not allow the healthy productive forces to be developed and to create wealth for our country as well as security for our society.

As far as the most crucial reforms of all, the “reform of thought” and the most profitable investment of all, the ‘investment in innovation”, SFEE and its member companies will continue to stand by the State and the Greek society. Our vision and mission is Health to be as a basic right for the citizens as well as a competitive advantage for a Sustainable Greece 2020 under a very demanding international environment.

The strengthening of the Initiative showcases that entrepreneurship in our country is evolving and is developing the necessary antidote to the crisis and disappointment of society.

The Athens Chamber of Industry and Commerce participates with pride in the Initiative Sustainable Greece 2020. It is an association that can support in essence the promotion of a new, modern concept and practice in Greece with regards to issues of Sustainable Development and Social Responsibility.

A healthy, competitive and innovative entrepreneurship constitutes the key for overcoming the economic crisis, for restoring the social fabric but also for building a new, sustainable model of development in the country.

In this context, we need more companies which operate with vision. Businesses that can be profitable but they can also produce value for their surrounding societies. We need more knowledge and experience on issues of Sustainable Development, via networks and diffusion of good practices.

We also need a new culture at the level of the state and the society overall so as to make the private initiative to be viewed as a force not an enemy for the common good.

Towards this direction, the contribution of the Initiative Sustainable Greece 2020 is very important during its first year of operation. We therefore continue to participate and to support the work and the goals of the Initiative.