Training Day is the first day of each ECB Simulation Conference for university students, where distinguished representatives of institutions, the market and academia share their knowledge and experiences with the conference participants.
The Training Day of the 7th ECB Simulation Conference was held at the Amphitheater of the Karatza Megaron of the National Bank of Greece on the 15th of December 2023 (the remaining days, 16-18 of December, were held at the Troias Building of the Athens University of Economics and Business). The examined topics of the Conference were:
Here we present the remarks of the speakers who participated in the Keynote Speeches, where we were honored to have Ms. Ifigeneia Skotida, Deputy Director of the Economic Analysis and Research Department at the Bank of Greece, Mr. Gabriel Glöckler, Principal Adviser at the Directorate General Communications at the European Central Bank and Mr. Christos Gortsos, Professor of Public Economic Law and Academic Head of the LLM Program in “Financial Regulation” at the Law School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
The keynote speeches started with Ms. Ifigeneia Skotida, Deputy Director of the Economic Analysis and Research Department at the Bank of Greece.
In her speech, Ms. Skotida addressed the progress of inflation in the Euro Area, stressing the substantial rise in inflation rates due to various factors such as supply chain disruptions, pandemic-induced demand surges, and geopolitical tensions, notably the war in Ukraine. Ms. Skotida outlined the Eurosystem’s response to manage and stabilize price stability, discussing the gradual tightening of monetary policy through measures such as ending asset purchase programmes, adjusting interest rates, and implementing policies to protect the transmission mechanism. Afterward, she discussed future policy considerations, acknowledging the challenges posed by ongoing uncertainty, geopolitical risks, and economic fragility, highlighting the importance of a cautious, flexible, and data-driven approach, and communicating with clarity to steer market expectations while aiming to achieve price stability. Closing her remarks, Ms. Skotida referred to the environment of high inflation and the Eurosystem’s response, which involved a strategic balance between addressing inflationary pressures while minimizing the risk of a recession.
Mr. Gabriel Glöckler, Principal Adviser at the Directorate General Communications at the European Central Bank, delivered the second keynote speech, emphasizing the critical role of communication for Central Banks in fulfilling their mandate. More specifically, he stressed the importance of clear and understandable communication in maintaining public trust in Central Banks. Mr. Glöckler pointed out that studies have revealed a lack of awareness among the market participants regarding the workings of the European Central Bank (ECB).
Continuing his speech, he emphasized that trust is built over time through credible and consistent communication between the ECB and the public. This trust can be strengthened by fostering a broader understanding of the ECB’s mandate, ultimately aiding the achievement of its objectives and goals. Moreover, he underlined the ECB’s efforts to improve public communication by enhancing transparency in its decision-making and operations.
However, Mr. Glöckler suggested that Central Banks should give even greater emphasis on their communication with the public, utilizing other communication channels that are more accessible, such as social media, TV, and radio. He also highlighted the importance of tracking the effectiveness of the ECB’s communication strategy and adjusting it as needed. Closing his remarks, Mr. Glöckler stressed that in an increasingly complex world, Central Banks must serve as a trusted source of information and guidance.
The keynote speeches concluded with Mr. Christos Gortsos, Professor of Public Economic Law and Academic Head of the LLM Program in “Financial Regulation” at the Law School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, who provided an overview of the topics examined at the 7th ECB Simulation Conference.
He commenced his address by emphasizing that the debate on the digital euro is no longer conducted at an abstract level but within a certain legal framework, that is being developed by the European Commission. More specifically, he noted that the digital euro will be issued either by the ECB or national central banks, coexisting alongside banknotes, will be accessible to all, and universally accepted as a means of payment. However, he recognized that the implementation of the digital euro poses risks in terms of a) financial stability, b) price stability, c) money laundering, and d) data protection.
As far as the ESG topic is concerned, Mr. Gortsos highlighted that many problems arise from non-compliance with regulations and that from 2025 onwards it will be mandatory for banking institutions to adopt risk management systems for ESG parameters. Furthermore, he emphasized that the ECB can influence demand in the market by setting interest rates, but not supply, and highlighted that often the monetary policy pursued by the ECB and the fiscal policy pursued by national governments in the eurozone are in conflict, which prevents the desired results from occurring. Concluding his remarks, Mr. Gortsos pointed out that the tools available to the ECB have to be adapted and revised to be able to deal effectively with the “Perma-Crisis” conditions and need to be reviewed.
I am one of the co-founders of Get Involved with which I have participated in the planning and implementation of numerous initiatives that have impacted more than 3,000 university students and graduates. My role entails the coordination of the overall organization, the project management of our various and diverse initiatives, and the strategy formulation.
My work in Get Involved reflects my commitment to have an active role in empowering the youth, their “voices” and to strive to nurture a positive culture where young people can develop to their full potential.
I’m a Law student and since May 2025, I’ve been part of the Communications team at Get Involved. I’ve always been an outgoing person who enjoys working with others, so I immediately felt that this role suits me well. I’m really interested in sustainability, mainly because I feel like we’re the first generation truly experiencing the consequences of the environmental crisis. I believe that each of us can contribute to something better, in our own way. Through this team, I hope to learn, grow, and collaborate with people who share the same concerns and vision. I also hope to bring my own perspective and energy to everything we do.
My name is Konstantina Katsimicha, and I am an undergraduate student at the Department of Economics of the Athens University of Economics and Business.
In 2024, I participated in the 8th ECB Conference; an experience that significantly deepened my understanding of monetary policy, financial institutions, and the broader economic framework of the Εuro area.
In 2025, I joined Get Involved as a Junior Associate in both the Communications and Social Media Management teams. Through this role, I contribute to the promotion of our initiatives and help manage our online presence, while also developing valuable communication, organizational, and teamwork skills.
What inspired me to become part of Get Involved is the team’s vision and spirit to enhance economic literacy among young people and foster a space where ideas, knowledge, and skills can grow through collaboration. Being surrounded by passionate peers committed to impactful initiatives motivates me to learn, evolve, and contribute actively.
My name is Angelina Arfani, and I am an undergraduate student in the Department of Political Science and International Relations at the University of the Peloponnese. I have joined the Get Involved team as a Junior Associate in the Operations and Communications departments, where I contribute to the efficient coordination of initiatives and assist in enhancing the organization’s outreach and engagement.
I believe that Get Involved is an innovative initiative driven by individuals committed to creating meaningful change. Being part of this team has provided me with the opportunity to expand my knowledge, develop key skills, and showcase my abilities, all while collaborating with passionate individuals who share a common vision.
My name is Konstantina Triantafyllopoulou, and I am an undergraduate Political Science & Public Administration university student at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Also, I am currently enrolled in the American College of Greece, pursuing a minor in Human Resources Management.
I joined Get Involved in 2025 as a Junior Associate in the communications team, where I help by communicating with external partners and with the promotion of our initiatives. The key factors that motivated me to join were my ambition to engage within the community and broaden both my understanding and skills around finances, communication, entrepreneurship, and youth-led projects.
Being an active member of Get Involved highlights my keen enthusiasm for promoting financial literacy, actively engaging with the youth community, and embracing the core values of this team.
My name is Lila Kartali and I am an undergraduate student in the Department of International and European Studies at the University of Piraeus. I joined the team in February 2024, and since then I have happily been part of the Corporate Communications, Social Media, External Opportunities, and Scientific team. The diversity of the topics I deal with in each department, as well as the collaboration and interaction with ambitious people, are a pleasant challenge for me.
For me, Get Involved is an opportunity to develop various skills and strengthen my knowledge background on sustainability and monetary policy issues. Moreover, the fact that it is a youth initiative, by people from different scientific fields collaborating for a common goal, is the reason why I want to be part of it.
As an active member of Get Involved’s Associates, I am part of engaging and continuously evolving projects centered on strengthening financial literacy among young people in Greece and Europe. Moreover, by combining my studies in computer science, I am an integral part of Get Involved’s ongoing digital transformation journey.
My contributions to Get Involved reflect my commitment to supporting its ultimate goal of social contribution and raising awareness of financial literacy issues among youth.
My name is Maria Anastasopoulou and I am an undergraduate student at the Law School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. My participation in Get Involved started in 2023, whereas now I am an Associate and a member of the Legal Team, where I help handle the group’s legal issues, prepare legal educational materials and represent the group in the ECB Simulation Conference. Additionally, I participate in the stream for Student and Youth Organizations, where I develop my communication skills by interacting with external partners and other youth initiatives. I am also a member of the Scientific Team and contribute to the structuring of the group’s studies, such as the “ESG & Sustainability Youth Perspectives”, while simultaneously developing my research and writing skills.
The drive behind my involvement with the team is the exceptional academic and research level of my colleagues and the passion for the field. The shared values of mutual respect, the desire for progress and innovation, and continuous new’ goal setting, motivate me to contribute and join in a common evolutionary path.
I am particularly grateful for my participation in Get Involved, as it provides me the opportunity to significantly broaden my economic and legal knowledge, delve further into areas of interest and collaborate with some of the most active and accomplished young people, from whom I learn daily.
Apostolos Karasakalidis holds a bachelor’s degree in law (2023) from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, a master’s degree in European Business and Economic Law (2025) from the same university, and is currently pursuing an advanced master’s program in Intellectual Property and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Law at KU Leuven. He is a certified Data Protection Officer (DPO) and is registered with the Thessaloniki Bar Association as a lawyer.
He has been a Legal Associate at Get Involved since August 2022 and became Scientific Associate in April 2025. Apostolos participates in Get Involved because he believes in the added value of collaboration among young scholars from different academic backgrounds. Furthermore, he is interested in the green transition of the EU economy and supports the promotion of financial literacy among young people.
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I joined Get Involved in 2019, I have progressed to the role of Senior Associate, and I currently am a member of the Legal Team. My participation in the team has provided me with valuable opportunities, and experiences, and it has given me the chance to work with numerous active youths. I have taken part in various initiatives, such as the ECB Simulation Conferences, and have had multiple responsibilities, including developing educational materials and participating in the communications team. I appreciate Get Involved’s commitment to fostering a collaborative environment that empowers young university students and professionals.
Antonis Ballis holds a Doctoral degree in Finance (2021) from Athens University of Economics and Business, a specialized Master’s degree in Applied Economics and Data Analysis (2016) from the University of Patras (2016), and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics (2014) from Athens University of Economics and Business. In 2018 he was awarded full funding for his doctoral research on cryptocurrencies, from the Greek State Scholarships Foundation (IKY). His main research areas are Cryptocurrency/DEFI Economics, Behavioral Finance, and Financial Technology (FinTech).
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