We have spent months reading and talking about Greece, the EU, the IMF, what Germany does, what Sarkozy said, the markets, deficits, and billions of Euros…and yet we read less and less about the people of Greece. Have we forgotten that we’re talking about the lives and futures of fellow people?
I’ve just come back from Athens. I was invited to the European conference on volunteering.
It felt unnerving listening to the Commissioners praising this and that, planning for the European initiatives in 2013, when Greek citizens outside of the hotel haven’t a clue about tomorrow. I wanted to do something. I called a discussion on what European citizens can do for their fellow citizens in Greece.
I was surprised by the responses. On one side, the reaction was that ‘people don’t care or won’t do anything. It’s up to the goverments to fix it’.
The other side argued that Greeks were willing to do something but incapable of strategizing. They are somehow disoriented and disheartened. Everybody is laying the blame of the crisis on them, and yet they can’t count on anybody, least of all the government.
Now let me ask you! Do you really belive there is nothing you can do? I don’t believe you. I found some people there who are ready; people like Maria or Pavlina or Spiros. People that want to make a difference.
I will be in Athens again on 17 – 19 December to design our new social innovation initiative to mobilize people and resources and help Greeks to escape the crisis. I will show you that there is something you can do; that passive observation can become active engagement. Join us!
