The 14th Scientific Retreat of FORTH took place with great success, on October 11-13 at the Conference Center of the International Olympic Academy (IOA) in Ancient Olympia, under the patronage of H.E. the President of the Hellenic Republic Ms. Katerina Sakellaropoulou. The location of this year’s Retreat, which coincides with an Olympic year, was selected to highlight the close link between research and culture and their mutual contribution to human progress.

More than 220 FORTH Researchers and Administrative staff from eight cities across Greece participated in this year’s retreat which is held biennially, aiming to enlighten FORTH members about the current research activities of its Institutes and promote interdisciplinary collaborations.

The program included numerous scientific presentations and three workshops on the following topics: (a) Commercial Exploitation of Research Outcomes, organized by the PRAXI Network and the Science and Technology Park of Crete (STEP-C) with the participation of FORTH spin-offs; (b) The value of the Crete University Press as a FORTH Unit in the field of Academic Publishing in Greece; (c) “Stereotypes, Discrimination, and Gender-Based Exclusion in Everyday Life,” organized by the Gender Alliance Initiative upon invitation of FORTH’s Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination Committee.

Additionally, during the Retreat, an exhibition of research achievements and scientific posters from FORTH’s Institutes took place. Young researchers (PhDs) were awarded for their scientific posters, under the sponsorship of FORTH Researchers’ Association.

On Friday evening, a festive event was held at the “Dimitrios Vikelas” Amphitheater of the IOA. The keynote speaker was Mr. Isidoros Kouvelos, President of the International Olympic Academy, who linked technology with culture and Olympism, in his speech titled “The Contribution of Technology to the Evolution of the Olympic Movement.”

In his speech, the President of FORTH, Prof. Nektarios Tavernarakis, presented FORTH’s accomplishments and progress over the recent years, making it the largest Research Center in Greece, currently comprising ten Institutes and three Units in eight cities across the country.

The evening concluded with the presentation of awards to Distinguished Members of FORTH who were given their honorary title over the past two years, along with FORTH’s Research Award and Employee Recognition Awards.