The Finnish system of education as a reform model for Greece. The apotheosis of the comparative argument

The Centre of Comparative and International Education of the Athens University, organized an one-day Conference in Athens on "The Finnish system of education as a reform model for Greece. The apotheosis of the comparative argument"

on Thursday, November 3, 2005 at the main building of the Athens University.

The aim of the Conference was the critical analysis of the Finnish education system, especially in view of the fact that, at least in the Greek context, it is projected as a model for adoption.

The Ambassador of Finland, Mr. Ole Norrback, spoke about the significance of a good education on a country's future. Prof. Reijo Ravola from the University of Tampere, presented a critical view of the main developments and prospects of the Finnish education, while Mrs Riita Lampola, from the Finnish Education Ministry presented the descriptive aspects of the Finnish system, basically in terms of structure, institutions and recent policies.

Several greek Professors from the Athens and other regional universities (Mattheou, Koulaidis, Kazamias)examined and evaluated the educational issue while a round table followed the above presentations.

The attendance was enormous as the Finnish education model has become very famous as one of the most effective ones in the world.

On Sunday, November 13, 2005, the national TV channel, NET, presented at "PRESS" programme the problems and prospects of the greek education system with the participation of the Greek Education Minister, Mrs. Marietta Yiannakou. Amb. Norrback made his own statements.