J-1 BEFORE THE 26TH AGROTICA EVENT 
Discover the international fair for agricultural machinery, equipment and supplies from the 28th to the 31 January 2016. 
http://agrotica.helexpo.gr/en
​
LIGHT ON THE YEAR OF THE PULSES 
Pulses, also known as grain legumes, are a group of 12 crops that includes dry beans, dry peas, chickpeas, and lentils. They are high in protein, fibre, and various vitamins, provide amino acids, and are hearty crops. They are most popular in developing countries, but are increasingly becoming recognized as an excellent part of a healthy diet throughout the world.
In 2013 the United Nations declared that 2016 will be the International Year of Pulses. The hope of the 2016 International Year of Pulses (IYP 2016) is to position pulses as a primary source of protein and other essential nutrients. IYP 2016 will promote broad discussion and cooperation at the national, regional and global levels to increase awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by pulse farmers, be they large scale farms or small land holders.
http://www.fao.org/pulses-2016/en/

Our volunteer Sina took part in the design contest of this year's Press Freedom Day. Unfortunately, her design was not chosen, however, we invite you to check out the winning candidates!

Discover a contest for : 
- Encourage people to say no corruption 
- Understand and detect corruption 
- Creat a community against this social evil

​On December 9, 2015 was the day of fight against international corruption in Singapore . 
The corruption in South East Asia is very present : this area haven't a free access to information or a freedom of the press. It's in this direction that ASEAN CSR Network propose to the young people of the region of the South - East to create a video of 3 minutes , on the impacts of the corruption in their country. Three videos Will Be Selected for the award in July 2016 in Singapore .

For More information : 
http://www.anti-corruption.org/pmb321/pmb/doc_num.php…

An exemple of video about corruption : 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlq0P0JHivw

Jeanne and Elodie 

Because I love the volunteer lifestyle and because I like to test myself, I decided to spend my Christmas time far away to my family, my culture, and my bearings.
Yes my parents were disappointed. Yes I will be going to miss the familiar atmosphere. But no I was not afraid to feel sad, alone, lost, or many more: to regret my choice.
Quite the opposite.

For my first christmas in Greece, I went with my family in Athens, and for the new year, I was in Delphe. But before joining my family, I discovered here in Serres how greek people celebrate these events.
One of my greek friend in Komotini first made me taste your amazing pita and christmas biscuits : melomacarona and kourabiedes !! My favorites are the white ones (kourabiedes) !
I heard for almost one month in the street of Serres some christmas songs too. Is this a tradition to have music in the street for these celebrations ? It was a little bit strange for me at the beginning to always here christmas songs in the street !

I noticed also in Komotini, Serres, Athens and so many other cities that there were boats in christmas lights ! It was very strange for me because usually the christmas lights represent snow, christmas trees, stars or other things related with winter. But here, I learnt with my teacher Konstantina, that the tradition was to decorate boats ! It's true that Greece is more a sea country than forest or snow country.
When I was in Athens with my family, I also saw children singing in the street and in shops with a triangle instrument. They were then asking money, it was very funny to see ! If I would be still a child I think I would have loved to go in the street with my friends to sing at every doors ! The atmosphere was very festive.
For the new year, I was in Delphe with my family, it is a wonderful place ! Here I saw greek people cut the famous « new year cake », and so we made it too !

To conclude, I wish for you all a Kali Xristougenna, and a Kali Xronia !!


Mathilde Rouch

Wohnst du in Deutschland? Wir suchen Kandidaten aus Deutschland für einen Langzeitfreiwilligendienst in Nordgriechenland.
Das Projekt dauert 7 Monate und startet im Juni 2016. Das Projekt „Mediart“ umfasst Journalismus und Medien und findet in der Kulturorganisation Praxis Greece statt. Außerdem arbeiten wir mit der lokalen Radiostation zusammen.
Zusammen mit den anderen 5 Freiwilligen wirst du soziale Kampagnen und lokale Veranstaltungen in sozialen Medien, auf unserem Blog und in Radiobroadcasts promoten. Außerdem hast du einen eigenen wöchentlichen Radiobroadcast über ein Thema deiner Wahl!
MEDIART erkennt die Bedürfnisse der lokalen Gemeinschaft und bietet jungen Menschen die Möglichkeit, ihre Kreativität auszuleben und ihre Fähigkeiten für die professionelle Zukunft auszubauen indem sie die Botschaften der Internationalen Tage der Vereinten Nationen promoten.
MEDIART sucht nach Freiwilligen, die aktiv mitarbeiten, unterstützen und frische Ideen einbringen, um kulturelle Vielfalt in der lokalen Gemeinschaft in Serres zu verbreiten.
Besuche www.praxisgreece.com für mehr Informationen!
Wir freuen uns auf deine Bewerbung mit Lebenslauf an [email protected]