Volunteering and Education

With great success, despite the difficult weather conditions, took place on Sunday, Dec.9, 2012, in the evening, at the Science and Technology Museum of the University of Patras, the Celebration of the World Volunteer Day, with the theme: "Volunteering and Education".

The event was co-organized by the Science and Technology Museum of the University of Patras, the Directorate of Secondary Education of Achaia and the Friends Association of the STM. Its aim was to present the contribution of education in the dissemination of volunteering, especially today in a period of crisis, as well as the role of the STM to cultivate "Voluntary Consciousness" and to honor the volunteers and sponsors of the Museum during the academic year 2011-2012. The event was attended by many people, students, teachers, members of voluntary organizations of Patras and group Epsilon of the Municipality of Patras, members of the University community.

The keynote address of the event on "Volunteering in a democratic society: the role of education", was given by the Associate Professor, Department of Educational Sciences and Early Childhood Education of the University of Patras, Mr. Stathis Balia. This was followed by the presentation of the "Volunteer Network of Secondary Education Schools of Achaia with the STM for 2012-2013" by the head of the Department of Cultural Affairs of Secondary Education of Achaia Mrs. Maria Nikolopoulou. The schools that participated in the Volunteer Network are the General Experimental High School of Patras, Kastritsi High School, 7^th Junior High School of Patras, the 3^rd Junior High School of Patras in which they presented the activities they planned for the current school year.

Then the "Contribution of the Science and Technology Museum to the cultivation of voluntary consciousness" was presented by the Head Curator of the STM Mrs. Peny Theologi - Gouti, Architect Mech. - Ethnologist and honorary diplomas were awarded by the Rector of the UP to volunteers and sponsors of STM during the academic year 2011-2012. The diplomas were given to the honorees by the President of the Friends Association of the Museum, Emeritus Professor Theodoros Deligiannis and the Director of Secondary Education Dr. Eugenia Pierri. In each school that participated in the Volunteer Network in 2011-2012 or participates in 2012-2013, Vodafone, the main sponsor of the STM, offered 2 planet- books, board games in volunteer training.

The event closed with a Concert by the remarkable Guitarist Dimitris Makris, courtesy of Philippos Nakas Conservatory and a small reception with soft drinks and sweets and guided tours at the STM’s permanent and temporary exhibition "Art and Technology" followed.