Researchers, practitioners, and activists from around the world took part in enlightening conversations on day two of the SNF Nostos Conference from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) in Athens.

In his opening remarks, SNF Co-President Andreas Dracopoulos grounded the conference in our current moment in mental health and emphasized the urgent importance of ensuring that young people are helping lead these conversations. This focus on the experiences of young people was immediately put into practice with introductions to the SNF Youth Advisory Committee who played an integral role in planning the conference, to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Initiative, and to the SNF Global Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health at the Child Mind Institute.

We heard a wide variety of perspectives on mental health from speakers who ranged from Greek national soccer team captain Tasos Bakasetas to Academy Award winning actor and children’s mental health advocate Goldie Hawn. The day concluded with a highly anticipated discussion between President Barack Obama and Andreas Dracopoulos. The discussion covered the importance of reducing inequality, of democratic participation, and of supporting the next generation of citizens and leaders. President Obama thanked SNF for its partnership on the Democracy In Action Lab (DIAL) at the forthcoming Obama Presidential Center in Chicago through a major new grant.

Throughout the day, young reporters from Greece and South Africa interviewed participants and shared candid thoughts on mental health on SNF Nostos Pop-Up Radio, broadcasting live from the SNFCC. Journalists and media professionals had the opportunity to translate panel topics into new stories as they worked at the Media Area hosted by the iMEdD (Incubator for Media Education and Development).

4,000 runners took to the streets around the SNFCC for a good cause through the SNF Nostos Run, and the day came to a close with an entrancing laser show and a party at the SNFCC Agora with Laternative.

We look forward to seeing you—whether at the SNFCC or online—for the final day of the SNF Nostos Conference!