The WELCOME 2026 Career Day was not just another successful event, but living proof that diversity and inclusion can be transformed into real life opportunities. In a city that is changing and evolving, the City of Athens consciously chooses to invest in its people—all of its people—without discrimination.
This year’s ACCMR event saw record attendance, but the essence lies not only in the numbers. It lies in the stories of the 459 people from 35 different countries who gathered in the same space with a common goal: a place in the job market, an opportunity for dignity, a fresh start. The 1,901 interviews conducted were not merely recruitment processes—they were bridges to integration.
The consistent and tangible support of the municipal government is of particular importance. The Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, does not limit himself to merely symbolic appearances. Through his consistent physical presence, dialogue with participants, and active support for such initiatives, he demonstrates that inclusion is not just a slogan, but a political choice with tangible results. As he aptly stated: “We are moving steadily toward inclusion. Career Days are a meaningful initiative for integrating vulnerable groups into the labor market. Through partnerships and targeted interventions, we demonstrate that even with limited resources, we can achieve measurable results for society and the economy.”
Καθοριστικός είναι και ο ρόλος της δημοτικής ηγεσίας στον τομέα της κοινωνικής ένταξης. Ο Εντεταλμένος Δημοτικός Σύμβουλος, Θανάσης Χειμωνάς, ανέδειξε τη στρατηγική στόχευση του Δήμου, σημειώνοντας: «Ο Δήμος Αθηναίων παραμένει σταθερά προσανατολισμένος στην ενίσχυση δράσεων που υποστηρίζουν την ένταξη στην αγορά εργασίας. Μέσα από συνεργασίες με επιχειρήσεις, οργανώσεις της κοινωνίας των πολιτών και διεθνείς φορείς, δημιουργούμε περισσότερες και καλύτερες ευκαιρίες για όλους».
The WELCOME 2026 Career Day also stood out for its highly collaborative nature. Companies, consultants, legal professionals, and organizations worked together to offer not only job opportunities, but also knowledge, guidance, and support. Workshops on modern skills, artificial intelligence, and labor rights substantially enhanced participants’ preparation, while the provision of creative activities for children demonstrated a deep understanding of people’s real needs.
Σε μια εποχή όπου η κοινωνική συνοχή δοκιμάζεται, ο Δήμος Αθηναίων δείχνει τον δρόμο: με πολιτικές που ενώνουν, που δημιουργούν ευκαιρίες και που δίνουν χώρο σε κάθε άνθρωπο να προχωρήσει. Η έμπρακτη στήριξη του Δημάρχου και της δημοτικής ομάδας σε τέτοιες δράσεις δεν αφήνει περιθώρια αμφιβολίας — η Αθήνα μπορεί και επιλέγει να είναι μια πόλη ανοιχτή, δίκαιη και πραγματικά συμπεριληπτική.
