Focusing on the sustainable development and preventing the desertification of critical areas, such as the islands, the work of the 2nd Smart Islands International Conference is being carried out in Kastelorizo (September 20-21). The conference aims to support and strengthen the small islands, through innovative proposals and solutions, both direct and long -term, characterized by feasible and inexpensive character. The Conference is co-organized by the International Hellenic Association (IHA) and the Municipalities of Megisti, Varis-Voula-Vouliagmeni, Kalymnians and Kifissia, under the auspices of the Central Union of Municipalities of Greece (KEDE). During the work, representatives of expatriate organizations, local government, the state, the academic community, the market, residents and expatriates exchanged views and submitted proposals on the immediate problems facing the islands: energy, water, education, health care, health care digital transformation and accessibility. Of particular interest were the tangible positive results from the 1st Smart Islands Congress in 2024 in Pserimos, which were elected as an example for this year’s Congress. The Chairman of the Conference Organizing Committee, Theodoros Spathopoulos, wished them a similar success at the 2nd Congress, emphasizing the contribution of expatriate Hellenism, which he described as as he described as as he described as as he described as a. “Always militant in the service of the homeland and particularly sensitive to empowerment and development of critical national areas”. Digital governance Minister Dimitris Papastergiou, in his message, underlined the importance of sustainable development and innovation in the small islands, as well as the synergy between bodies. As he stated, “The role of Local Government as a design and implementation of policies that link technology to social and economic progress is highlighted, demonstrating that ‘smart’ islands can be patterns of green growth and durability”. The Secretary General of Information Systems and Digital Government, Professor Demosthenes Anagnostopoulos, representing the government and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, referred to the measures and arrangements adopted to enhance island. As he underlined, “Never a government had allocated so much organized resources and mechanisms to highlight its island and its particularities. This requires specialized resources but also institutional shielding of the role of the islands”. He also stressed that more than 25% of Greek GDP is produced or concerned with the islands and the maritime economy, pointing out the need for organized support of the islands at a social, geopolitical and regional level. The Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance Nikos Papathanassis, the President of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce Vassilis Korkidis and the Australian Ambassador to Greece Alison Dunnan sent greetings.
Cooperation of bodies to strengthen small islands
The role of the cooperation of all stakeholders involved in the decline of substantive proposals and politicians was mentioned by the MP of the Dodecanese of the ND, former Deputy Minister of Maritime and Island Policy, Yiannis Papas. He emphasized that it is a task that the small, remote islands have equal opportunities and support. The Mayor of Kalymnos, Yiannis Mastrokoukkos, through Deputy Mayor Popi Koutouzis, underlined the successful example of Kerrimos, where the private and public synergy with the self -government led to tangible results: lighting on municipal roads, renovation of school and renovation. His satisfaction with the co-organization of the Conference and as the First Vice President of KEDE was expressed by the Mayor of Varis-Voula-Vouliagmeni, Grigoris Constantellos, thanking the IHA for the inspiration and continued support of Hellenism internationally. He stressed that the conference is “Political Act of Unity and Responsibility” And he expressed the commitment to continuous support of Kastelorizo, emphasizing the need for institutional shielding the “adoption” of small islands by larger municipalities. Platanias Mayor and member of the Crete PC, Yiannis Malandrakis, announced the intention of institutional support for small islands by largest municipalities in Crete, to ensure steady support for infrastructure projects and improve the quality of life of residents and visitors. Mayor of Kifissia, Vassilis Xyolitas, said he was ready to contribute to any decisions made for the island, as well as to the training of a technical study for the construction of a helicopter in Pserimos. He also stated that, accompanied by engineers in the municipality, he visited Fylis Square for its reconstruction and the expansion of Kastelorizo’s sports facilities, while investigating the possibility of building a supportive space on the island of Rome. The Mayor of Pylaia-Chortiatis and President of the Central Macedonia PEDIA, Ignatios Kaitezidis, described the support of Kastelorizos as a “moral obligation and responsibility”, pointing out the national importance of reinforcing the island and proposing a national plan for “adoption”. The Deputy Mayor of Symi, Nikitas Gryllis, referred to the multiple problems faced by the small islands, such as population reduction, birth rate, high energy and transport costs, over -tourism infrastructure pressure, and called for fair growth and equal opportunities, with institutionalization of special resources for special resources.
The voice of young people and the importance of staying in their place
The interventions of young residents of the island caused a special feeling. 22 -year -old Nikolaos Karavelantzis, a former mayor, conveyed the concerns and dreams of his peers, seeking unity and action so that young people could stay in their place. At the same wavelength, a student at the Local High School expressed his anxiety about his future on the island, noting: “I want to stay on my island and not leave, but I don’t want to deal with tourism too. But I don’t know what I could do about it”. On the second day of the conference, the mayors of Varis-Voula-Vouliagmeni, Kifissia, Platanias, Pylaia-Chortiatis and Secretary General Demosthenes Anagnostopoulos visited the island of Rome, where they paid tribute to the monument of Despina Achladi.
Source: Skai
I have worked as a journalist for over 10 years, and my work has been featured on many different news websites. I am also an author, and my work has been published in several books. I specialize in opinion writing, and I often write about current events and controversial topics. I am a very well-rounded writer, and I have a lot of experience in different areas of journalism. I am a very hard worker, and I am always willing to put in the extra effort to get the job done.
