Greek Odysseuses

Greek Odysseuses is an informal group of young people founded in January 2017 in Northern Greece focusing on public health and prevention issues. The idea for this informal group was born from our experiences in Erasmus+ programs within the last two years. Our aim is to offer to young people new opportunities and perspectives. Inspired by the mythical king of Ithaca, Odysseus, we have a vision to travel and get to know the world. Famed for his courage, intelligence, and leadership, Odysseus (Roman name: Ulysses) was one of the great pan-Hellenic heroes of Greek mythology. His resourcefulness and oratory skills were instrumental in the Greek victory in the Trojan War and following the conflict, he was the protagonist in many fantastic adventures on his long voyage back home to Ithaca. Like Odysseus, we have a vision to travel and get to know the world. As the Greek poet Cavafy says: "As you set out for Ithaca hope that the journey is a long one, full of adventure, full of discovery." (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=w2UDVAC31Zs Ithaca, Kavafis, in English with lyrics) "From Plato’s Republic to the Modern European Union” was our kick off youth event in the framework of the European Youth Week 2017 during which we inform through non formal learning methods the youngsters of Western Macedonia, Greece about the institutions and functions of the European Union. “-Cigarette? –No, thnx!” was our first Youth Exchange, in Thessaloniki, Greece, 16- 22/07/2017, aiming to enhance the self-awareness of the participants on the importance of informing, both themselves and other young people, about the consequences of smoking, in order to reduce its effects and improve their quality of life. “-Alcohol? –No, thnx!” was our second Youth Exchange, in Tallinn, Estonia, 04-12/08/2017, thought our partner Informal Group “Baltic Odysseuses”, trying to raise awareness about alcohol abuse and helping the participants to create a more mindful and healthy relationship with alcohol, moderating its consumption. We are currently running a Transnational Youth Initiative called “GO Alive” with our partners VulcanicaMente (Lecce, Italy) and Pista Magica (Porto, Portugal) about Mindfulness, Leadership and Community Building with 2 Transnational meetings in Greece, a blended mobility in Italy and a short term training mobility in Portugal. We are also implementing two Solidarity Projects under the European Solidarity Corps: "We are ALL poets" and "Mindful Youth Communities". Our mission comes from the decision to support the self-development and empowerment of young people, with the vision of creating a better world and a better future for everyone.