DESMOS NGO

Desmos NGO is a non governmental and non profit Organization in Katerini, Greece, with regional and national authorities. Desmos promote the European idea of friendship, tolerance and respect of human rights. Some of his targets are: Student cultural exchanges with all European countries, new knowledge, new experiences, new horizons, new ways and methods of learning and communication, comparing of education systems, sharing of data, working together through the application of variety of European life long learning programs. Desmos has a team of experiences e- learning experts to design and develop high quality content and facilitate e- learning courses. His key philosophy is to enhance the quality of education through new pedagogical approaches. Desmos develops and pilots new teaching and learning methods, continuing learning programs for students, teachers, youth, implements new methodologies for the inclusion of disadvantage people into school education and supports lifelong learning activities for all citizens in Pieria. The region has a high number of migrants. Thus, integration of migrants into mainstream education services is another major goal of Desmos. Further programs support mobility and cultural exchange activities and support life long learning activities for all. We promote youth group participation through structured programmes of activities such as developing participants’ knowledge in the field of European mobility and international migration as well as their skills in the field of mobility project work with young people. Eexchanges’ experiences and good practices in youth work, related to international migration and mobility on young people in EU countries. Brief description of the city of Katerini (from the cultural environmental, architectural, historic, economic point of view) Katerini is a town in Central Macedonia, Greece, the capital of Pieria prefecture. It lies on the Pierian plain, between Mt. Olympus and the Thermaikos Gulf, at an altitude of 14 m. The town, which is one of the newest in Greece, has a population of over 70.000. It is near the city of Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city, which has been beneficial for Katerini's development over recent years. Katerini is accessible from the main Thessaloniki–Athens highway GR-1/E75 (with two interchanges near the town) and the Egnatia Odos to the north. It is served by both Intercity and local trains on the main railway line from Athens to Thessaloniki and there is a comprehensive regional and national bus service with its hub in the town. A popular tourist destination, Katerini is close to the sea (6 km) and to several archaeological sites of great interest such as the ancient city of Dion (5th century BC, 17 km away) and the Venetian Castle of Platamon. The beaches of Korinos, Paralia and Olympiaki Akti are visited by both Greek and international tourists during the summer. The roots of Mount Olympus (it was the first area to be declared as a national park in 1932. It is a UNESCO heritage site as well) and the town of Litochoro, are in a distance of around 20 kilometres away from the centre of Katerini. The city of Katerini itself has its own distinct character. Several years ago its high street was repaved with brick and dedicated only to pedestrians. Today, the pisodromo (as we call the high street) is full of shops and cafes and gets very busy in the morning (when everyone is out doing their shopping) and in the evening (particularly during summer), when everyone is out having a drink. Katerini has also a famous park resort with thousand of tree and plant species and a cultural centre and library that provides any kind of events and cultural opportunities. Over recent years, a major effort by the Greek government, using European Union cohesion funds, was made to redistribute Greek tourist activities in terms of time and space. At a local level, those policies led to the development of the Elatohori ski resort. In that way, tourist accommodation started being developed in the interior of Pieria. Tourism is an activity which is significantly developed. Foreign tourists comprise 70% of the total tourist figures. As well as mass tourism from abroad, several forms of tourism are being developed, with second home development playing a key role in the growth of the local economy. The easy accessibility of nearby urban centres enables another form of tourism, that of daytrips and school excursions, etc. Total accommodation provision consists of forms of supply beyond hotels and second homes. The number of organized campings, hostels etc. is equally significant. A large number of pretty villages surround Katerini are worth a visit. Most of the people living in the villages work in agriculture (tobacco, cotton, etc.)