At PeopleCert, we focus on something simple yet critical: the skills that shape the future.
This year, our contribution was led by our Founder & Group CEO, Byron Nicolaides, and our Chief Corporate Development Officer, Eleni Nicolaidou.
Plumber or lawyer? Electrician or doctor? Aircraft engineer or professor? In just 45 minutes, perceptions began to shift. At the start of the discussion, a live poll showed that 70% of participants would advise their children to pursue an academic path. By the end, that figure had dropped to 56%, with technical skills gaining ground. What changed wasn’t the market. It was the perspective. The discussion highlighted a fundamental contradiction: the market demands skills, while society continues to invest in titles. The balance between academic and technical pathways is shifting. The real question is not the “right” direction, but the skills required for the future. Ultimately, what the next generation needs is not just options, but the ability to choose wisely. Moderator Byron Nicolaides , Founder & Group CEO, PeopleCert Speakers Eleni Vrettou , CEO, CrediaBank Spyros Theodoropoulos , Chairman, SEV Hellenic Federation of Enterprises & President and CEO, Bespoke SGA Holdings S.A. George Doukidis , Professor of eBusiness, Athens University of Economics & Business
Can the Greek community of Istanbul have a future? The discussion went beyond numbers and data, touching on the identity and continuity of a community. Through the perspectives of Istanbul-born speakers, both the challenges and opportunities became clear, from preserving language and cultural identity to strengthening institutions and encouraging the return and active participation of younger generations. The message was clear: the revival of the community is not only about history. It is about choice and action. Moderator Manolis Kostidis , Turkey Correspondent, Kathimerini & SKAI TV Speakers Byron Nicolaides , Founder & CEO, PeopleCert Aris Portosalte , Journalist, SKAI Nikolaos Kolman , President, Association of Zografio School Alumni
Is Artificial Intelligence the peak or just the beginning? The discussion highlighted a key truth: it is not the end of change, but its acceleration. Technological developments are already reshaping economies, societies and policy. The real challenge, however, is not the technology itself. It is how we use it. Because the advantage will not come from technology alone, but from the strategy we apply to it. Moderator Eliza Gkritsi Tech Reporter, Politico, Belgium Speakers Eleni Nicolaidou , Chief Corporate Development Officer, PeopleCert Alvin Wang Graylin , Author & Digital Fellow, Stanford HAI Vasilis Koutsoumpas , Digital Policy & AI Advisor, Office of the Prime Minister Sten-Kristian Saluveer , Strategic Advisor, Tallinn Digital Summit Alex Kotsopoulos , Partner, RSM Canada
Do classical studies still have a place in the modern world? The discussion highlighted something essential: Ancient Greek is not just knowledge of the past, but a living tool for developing critical thinking and cultural awareness. The challenge today is not whether to preserve it but how to teach it differently. Because education is not only about the past. It is about how we think about the future. Moderator Eugenia Manolidou , Director, Elliniki Agogi Speakers Byron Nicolaides , Founder & Group CEO, PeopleCert Eleanor Dickey , Professor, University of Reading Han Lamers , Professor, University of Oslo Evelien Bracke , Professor, Ghent University Helena Walters , Haileybury College