Greece – Thessaly – Magnesia - Volos

Thessaly Region

Thessaly is one of the 13 Regions of Greece, and is further sub-divided into 4 Regional Units. According to the census conducted by ESYE in 2011, the population of the region of Thessaly is almost and represents 7,1% of the total population of the country. It has noted a 1.5% increase in the population since 2001 and remains the third largest region in the country population-wise. The population break-down is 40% urban, 44% rural and 16% semi-urban with the rural population having noted a decline which has been paralleled with an increase in the semi-urban.

Regional Unit of Magnisia

Magnisia is located halfway along the North-South road and rail axis (Athens-Thessaloniki) and is traversed by the new east-west axis (Igoumenitsa - Volos). According to the most recent census, the population stands at 237,000. The prefecture hosts 2,000,000 tourists annually. Rich mythology: Achilles, Jason, the Argonauts and the Centaurs.

Volos

Built at the innermost point of the Pagasetic Gulf and at the foot of Mount Pilio, Volos is the only outlet towards the sea from Thessaly, the country's largest agricultural region. Volos population is around It is an important industrial centre, while its port provides a bridge between Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The Greater Volos area is the second-largest city in Thessaly and the third busiest commercial port in Greece. The economy of the city is based on manufacturing, trade, services and tourism, and with its improved infrastructure the city is increasingly dynamic.

The little train of Pelion

Mountain Pelion

EDUCATION AND THE LABOUR MARKET IN A EUROPEAN PROJECT FRAMEWORK DIRECTORATE OF SECONDARY EDUCATION OF MAGNISIA 2 ND LYCEUM (UPPER SECONDARY SCHOOL) OF NEA IONIA - VOLOS PHYSIOLATRIC CLUB OF VOLOS – PAN EKPOL - SOCIAL AND CULTURAL COUNCIL OF THE REGION OF THESSALY

DIRECTORATE OF SECONDARY EDUCATION OF MAGNISIA The Directorate of Secondary Education of Magnesia is a decentralized body of the Ministry of Education; it has got a regional scope, providing its services to the prefecture of Magnesia and the Sporades islands. Its operation mainly focuses – but it’s not limited – on the following: a) The administration and inspection of the operation of all the schools of the region. b) The implementation of the educational policy and support to the introduction of innovations, new programmes, ICT etc to the educational system. c) The human resources management.

2 ND LYCEUM (UPPER SECONDARY SCHOOL) OF NEA IONIA - VOLOS The 2nd upper secondary school of Nea Ionia-Volos is located in the Nea Ionia suburb of the town of Volos in central Greece. The school is a general secondary school with 32 staff and almost 300 students- medium sized for Greek standards. Age range of students is from 15 to 18 years. School receives students from two lower secondary schools in the area. The first one is located in a working class district in the town centre whilst the second is in a newly built area. Therefore students’ background is extremely varied. Still, the majority of the students generally come from low and middle socioeconomic status families, so they are deprived from getting to know other cultures in their natural and social environment. The Comenius Regio project will be a good opportunity for them to improve their communicative and personal skills. This project will be a unique experience for students to broaden their minds and horizons. The students could learn what it means to be a citizen of Europe and understand multicultural societies.

PHYSIOLATRIC CLUB OF VOLOS – PAN The Physiolatric Club of Volos – PAN was founded in 1931 by a group of citizens of Volos who loved nature and physical activities and wanted to spend some time close to nature. They first started their walking tours in the nearby mountain Pilio, then in the mountains of Thessaly and later all over Greece and abroad. Since 1931, the Club has organized thousands of excursions, hiking tours, footpath cleaning and signaling, reforestations, cultural events etc. Thus, it managed to become an important agent in the development and progress of the city of Volos. Today, it has got more than 1000 members and a self-owned mountain shelter in mountain Pilio.

EKPOL - SOCIAL AND CULTURAL COUNCIL OF THE REGION OF THESSALY EKPOL is a civil non-profit council of the Region of Thessaly, public equivalent body, which acts in accordance with the Articles and clauses of the Greek Civil Code. It aims at successfully tackling obstacles on society issues (support vulnerable groups and promote strategies for social inclusion, cohesion and development). Additionally, EKPOL aims at implementing Projects for the cultural and tourist promotion of Region of Thessaly through co-ordinated actions. EKPOL is founding member of the European Cultural Tourism Network and is currently holding its presidency. Furthermore, EKPOL represents the Managing Authority of the Region of Thessaly, having the capacity to influence the regional policies and regional operational programs on all areas of interest, like education, culture, employment.