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The paper presents Greek primary education stakeholders' views regarding their quality of life and EU-related issues before and during the euro crisis. The study took place in 2016, and the population was primary education teachers and parents of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace region. Respondents answered sets of questions for two different years: 2009, before austerity measures were applied, and 2016, during the crisis. Responses denote dissatisfaction with their quality of life and the EU in 2016. The findings show significant shifts of views between 2009 and 2016 regarding the institution of the EU, the euro, the relationship of Greece with the EU and European citizenship. 2016 statements reveal increased euroscepticism in teachers and parents' views and a large proportion of undecided respondents. However, it seems that more respondents adopt a pro-European attitude regarding the common future of Greece and the EU in 2016. All in all, findings show that, in 2016, respondents are divided into pro-European and eurosceptic, which denotes diffuse attitudes towards the European construct and weak identification with European citizenship. Change during crisis can serve as an opportunity for social innovations and education initiatives that will restore trust on the institution of the EU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Refrigeration systems claim increasing research attention as the climate crisis intensifies. One of the most well-established viable and feasible solutions is solar cooling, as the necessary cooling energy is produced by exploiting the available solar irradiance. The utilization of solar thermal energy to produce cooling energy by absorption chillers fed by a driving heat source (such as solar energy) to produce cooling power. Existing works in the literature present mainly case studies and simulations for small-scale systems (less than 50 kWc). The case study presented investigates the performance of a single-effect 316 kWc absorption chiller under different renewable-only driving heat source scenarios (solar-driven, biomass-driven, and a hybrid approach). The results indicate a significantly advantageous performance in combined heat generation (solar field and biomass boiler connected in series) compared to the scenarios of biomass or solar energy as a sole heat source. Moreover, an absorption chiller's economic indicators appear more fetching than a centrifugal electric chiller of the same capacity, as the payback period is significantly reduced. The Net Present Value (N.P.V. – over 75% greater in the case of absorption chiller compared to the centrifugal electrical chiller) and Return on Investment (R.O.I.) values are increased in the case of the absorption chiller option (18.03% against 15.24% of the centrifugal electrical chiller). The system described in this paper operates in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Greece, and is part of one of the largest self-sufficient energy communities. The case study presented is the first attempt at performance evaluation of a large-scale (more than 250 kWc) cooling system operating in a local energy community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The designation and management of protected areas (PAs) is a challenging task significantly influenced by numerous parameters, both economic and social. In this paper, these issues are explored by means of an empirical survey in a PA of international importance in Greece: the National Park of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (NPEMT). In particular, the survey explored the knowledge and perceptions of different interest groups concerning environmental issues in general, awareness of the restrictions imposed by the current management framework, benefits connected with the designation of the PA and willingness of individuals to pay for protection of the NPEMT. These interest groups were created depending on their level and type of involvement with PA issues. The results revealed a low level of awareness, indicating that further efforts should be conducted, both by the state and non-governmental organisations, to inform the local community and visitors about the existence of the PA and also the social and economic benefits resulting from its creation. Furthermore, the level of knowledge and perceptions of individuals about the NPEMT varies according to the social groups examined. Finally, individuals are willing to pay €94.08 annually for protection of the park, although there was a high percentage of protest responses. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this paper we examine the construction of categorical distinctions and the negotiation of category labels in interview accounts given by a sample of the majority population (Orthodox Christians) in Thrace (Northern Greece) concerning their co-existence with the Muslim minority. Employing a rhetorical approach to categorisation, we argue that category labels constitute argumentative positions which reflect culturally specific assumptions around which Greekness and Otherness are constructed. Analysis points to the ways in which the rhetorical invocation of certain category labels may be treated by social actors as potentially open to the charge of racism. However, what counts as racism or discrimination in relation to various category labels is not unproblematic and straightforward. As the meaning attached to particular categories shifts, the meaning attached to 'racism' also changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human and wildlife well-being are linked to riparian and deltaic ecosystems. Human impacts and climate changes affect their environmental sustainability. To secure their protection, various national laws and international agreements have been established. Ecotourism can assist in promoting conservation for sustainability and economic improvement. This study reviews work bearing on these matters, especially with regard to the unique region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace in Greece. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Explores the impact of multiculturalism on education in Greece. Reasons why education can be a vehicle of social integration; Objectives of education within multicultural societies; Factors affecting the construction of school knowledge, pedagogical practices and social interactions and relations; Educational policy for the repatriates and foreigners living in Greece; Analysis of the Muslim minority education in Thrace.

This article shows how Greek government policies have affected group relations within the minority in western Thrace and how identification within the minority has changed over the last five decades, particularly as regards the concept of Pomak-ness. According to the official Greek terminology, the minority is "a (singular) Muslim minority made up of Gypsies, Pomaks and people of Turkish origin", while official Turkish rhetoric maintains that the minority (again in the singular) is wholly Turkish. As will be shown in the article, most of the minority members living in the Rhodoppe area of Thrace prefer to classify themselves as Turkish, although minority urbanites insist on differentiating themselves from "others" in a number of ways, including the use of such labels as "Pomak" and "Gypsy". I here try to examine the content of the former, in order to illuminate the content of "Turkish urban Komotinian" identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]