Subject of the present research project is the complex relationship between international economic law (IEL) and social exclusion in Greece from 2010 until today. Its aim is, first to scrutinize the imprint of international investment law and international trade law (which constitute the IEL) on contemporary living conditions (preliminary scientific work). Further, to investigate the possibility of reinterpreting or transforming certain legal tools of these legal branches in order to become more effective in promoting social inclusion in contemporary Greek society. In other words, to formulate concrete proposals that demonstrate the potential benefits from the effective implementation and usage of IEL from Greek authorities (central research objective). This interdisciplinary research project aims to interact with contemporary Greeek social reality, transform the international laws and policies that affect exclusion and, hence, contribute to the shaping of a more inclusive society.
The adjustment and development of the underlying IEL normative framework for redistribution and social justice in Greece constitutes in itself a major step in addressing social exclusion challenges. This research will be beneficial for the Greek society, but also for any State facing similar societal challenges. In particular, the complexities set by the continuing refugee and migration crisis, the health crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the repercussions of the 2022 Russian aggression, are a common concern for all European peoples. And IEL considerations are characteristically lacking from inclusion initiatives at the EU level. It readily appears that the present research is extremely timely for Greece’s critical interests in tackling social exclusion, but also for the methods and strategies employed at the EU level. Yet, to be more specific, these tools will be correlated -after the evaluation of the relevant empirical data- with certain marginalized social groups that could profit more from the implementation of laws and policies based on IEL and from its proper interpretation. Thus, the central aim of our project is to contribute in effectively promoting the social inclusion of the selected disadvantaged groups (at least 3) in Greek society, as well as to inspire further research concerning the excluded groups.