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- Ελληνικά
I am delighted to be here to address today's event on the occasion of World Consumer Day, which is celebrated on 15 March each year.
Undoubtedly, consumers are one of the most powerful groups in society, since it is through their purchasing power and their collective behaviour that they shape prices, product quality, terms, conditions and the smooth functioning of the market. In this context, they have a decisive influence on the domestic and international economy and, as a result, they are charged with the obligation and responsibility to make wise and correct choices.
At the same time, consumers are themselves influenced by every public and private decision they make. That is why their effective protection is a priority for any favoured State. To this end, and in cooperation with the competent bodies, national, European and international procedures and legislation are being adopted to ensure conditions of healthy competition and build consumer confidence, safeguarding their basic rights. These rights concern, inter alia, the protection of health and economic interests from products and services, the satisfaction of basic needs, safety, proper information and unbiased choice.
Most importantly, however, what we all need to understand is that, in order to assert our rights and fulfil our obligations as consumers, we must first of all cultivate a sound consumer awareness and culture from childhood, both in the family and at school. After all, consumer education is one of the most important objectives of the European Union.
As the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth, we recognise our responsibility to create tomorrow's informed adult consumers. Students who will be able, as active citizens, to be informed about their consumer rights and, as responsible and critical consumers, to identify their needs, evaluate their choices and understand the impact of their purchases on the environment, society and the economy. By way of illustration, through targeted educational programmes, and in particular through the Health Education course, the encouragement of sustainable consumption, consumer awareness, creativity and autonomy is fostered.
I am absolutely sure that the very interesting discussion that will follow will be an opportunity to become aware of our individual and collective role, as well as to take further action regarding our responsibility as a State and as citizens to defend our rights and to
