Anastasia Stampoulopoulou

MPS, Global Development
What are the big challenges you want to tackle in the world?

I firmly believe that the sector of Agriculture should change, as right now there are many hardships running an agricultural business, lack of support from the government, outdated, non eco-friendly production and distribution methods , worldwide, and especially in Greece. I want to educate and assist producers in developing countries as to practise sustainable methods. It is crystal clear to me that I want to focus on generating ideas along these lines that would make Greece and the world a better place.

What were you doing before the MPS program?

Some months ago I graduated from Africultural University of Athens, my five-year educational program was quite demanding, with many theoretical subjects (sixty nine) and laboratories (forty-eight) about agriculture and economics which awards us an integrated master’s degree. Beyond theoretical knowledge which I acquired through classwork, I got some practical experience through my internships in an organic farm, in the Laboratory of Apiculture in my university and in an urban beekeeping company in Copenhagen. The last part of my studies was my thesis entitled “Economic Analysis of Beekeeping and Honey”, working on my thesis helped me realize that some of the obstacles farmers tackle could be significantly reduced under a different updated sustainable approach.

Tell us a fun fact about you.

I could imitate the whinnying of a horse.

What does global development mean to you?

Prosperity for us, the future generations and of course our planet is global development for me; to achieve it we have to find sustainable solutions in many sectors but first and foremost in the field of agriculture as it generates our vital need, food and affects a lot our health, our mood and the environment, too.

What has been the most memorable or impactful experience of your career so far?

I was inspired from my thesis, “Economic Analysis of Beekeeping and Honey”, wanting to specialize in rural sustainable development combining it with my background in Agriculture and Economics. It all began, when I conducted my field study and I was to contact and interview local beekeepers from the region of Achaia (a part of Peloponnese, Greece). The beekeepers were very kind to me and willing to help me as to conduct the interviews in a very short time. They were open-hearted as they dedicated many hours of their time to complete the interview and many of them offered me as a present their products ( honey, pollen, etc.) without expecting something in return. Their authentic and honest character really made me understand the "wounds" in this field and realise that I want to help them.

How do you envision your MPS degree contributing to your career?

My personal aspiration is to acquire specialized knowledge and experience through my MPS degree, to participate into as many projects as possible, to challenge myself and to advance my critical thinking skills based on real time sustainable agriculture challenges. My postgraduate studies will develop my skills; as to create a venture, combining my passion for entrepreneurship and agriculture, which will educate and advise producers in developing countries but also spread the quality of their goods all over the world.