Establishment of “Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation”
The Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation for the Sustainability of Nisyros NPO was founded in 2021 and aspires to be an international center for exchange of views on environment, cultural heritage and sustainability.
Panagiotis (Peter) G. Mihalos’ idea for his ancestral island of Nisyros, is being implemented along with close friends, who share his vision for the advancement and sustainable development of the island and are now the members of the Foundation’s Board of Directors.
The Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation NPO aims to contribute in the protection and promotion of the natural and cultural heritage of Nisyros, by placing them on the global narrative and in the context of sustainable development.
To highlight the island’s unique local characteristics, displaying every element of its uniqueness, with the aim of protecting its natural environment and promoting the well-being of its inhabitants.
To enrich the public debate by creating a politico-economic content with views, thoughts and reflections, which will be utilized by the academic and scientific communities, decision-makers, public opinion makers, representatives of civil society and political leadership, thus contributing to education and creation of new business opportunities, for the region’s environmentally sustainable development and make Nisyros an attractive location for settlement and relocation.
Mr. Panagiotis (Peter) G. Mihalos, founder and president of the Foundation, comments: “The creation of an international center for exchange of views and fruitful dialogue on issues of environment, cultural heritage and sustainable development, with the volcanic island of Nisyros at its core, arose from a personal need. It’s a way of expressing gratitude to my father, after whom the foundation is named. My father deeply respected this place on earth, it’s every corner, every path and every stone.” And he continues: “The five-year Memorandum of Cooperation, signed by the Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation NPO with the Organization for Natural Environment and Climate Change (NECCA), is of catalytic importance in achieving the goal of promoting all actions to highlight the unique volcanic environment of the island, with emphasis on enhancing local development.”
Board of Directors
Panagiotis G. Mihalos
Founder & PresidentEntrepreneur, fmr Secretary General for International Economic Relations, MFA
Alexis Kogevinas
Vice-PresidentAmbassador a.h.
Konstantinos Mathioudakis
Secretary GeneralProfessor, National Technical University of Athens, fmr Secretary General for Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry of Environment and Energy
Christina Karantani
TreasurerTour Guide Lecture
Klea Kechagioglou
Cultural AdvisorArt Historian and Author of Ancient and Contemporary Art Publications
George I. Kormas
Exec. Gen'l Manager, Piraeus Bank GroupExec. Chairman of the Board, Piraeus Bank Real Estate
Yannis Maniatis
Professorfmr Minister of Environment,
Energy and Climate Change
Dimitris Paraskevopoulos
Ambassador a.h.fmr Secretary General of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Theodora Ralli
fmr ESIEA (Journalists' Union)Int’l & Public Affairs Executive
Theodoros Theodorou
Executive DirectorAmbassador a.h.
Dimitris Voganatsis
Mineral Resources Engineer, MBACo-founder EQS THALIS
Honorary President
Ambassador (Ret.)
Thomas M.T. Niles
Vice chairman US Council for International Businessfmr Asst. Secretary of State for Europe & Canada
fmr Ambassador to Greece
Advisory Committee
Yannis Maniatis
PresidentProfessor
fmr Minister of Environment,
Energy and Climate Change
Sokrates Alexiades
Architect engineerfmr Secretary General of Urban
Zoning & Environmental Planning
Konstantinos Antonopoulos
Chairman and CEOINSPIRING EARTH SA
Steve Bamundo
Managing Partner, BAMUNDO, ZWALP & SCHERMERHORN LLP, NY
Panayotis Bernitsas
Managing Partner, Bernitsas Law FirmAssociate Professor of International Economic Law
Evangelos Carokis
Ambassador a.h.
Hary Coccossis
Professor, Urban Planning and Environmental Planning
Zenon Eliades
Entrepreneur, Cyprus
Aristeidis Kalogeropoulos - Stratis
fmr Secretary General for European Affairs, MFA
Fuad Kawar
Entrepreneur, Jordan
Moschos Korasidis
Agronomist, MSc MBA in Agribusinessfmr Secretary General Ministry of
Rural Development and Food
Aikaterini Lalaouni
CEO, GREEK GOLD ΑΒΕΕAriadne Mihalos
Environmental & Humanitarian Assistance
Jeffrey R. Olesen
DiplomatU.S. Senior Foreign Service Officer, Ret.
Ambassador (Ret.)
Charles Ries
Adjunct Senior Fellow Rand Corporationfmr US Ambassador to Greece
Ambassador
Raed Al Rifai
fmr Ambassador of Kuwait to Greece
Ambassador (Ret.)
Daniel B. Smith
fmr Acting Secretary of State USAfmr US Ambassador to Greece
Dimitris Tsitouras
Lawyer - Art Collector
The Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation for the Sustainability of Nisyros NPO, in cooperation with the Organization for Natural Environment and Climate Change (NECCA) announces the first Symposium “Nisyrian Dialogues”, in the crater of the island of Nisyros, June 16-19, 2022.
The first Symposium “Nisyrian Dialogues” aims to explore the Green, Fair and Sustainable Development of Small Islands, the Geopolitics of Green Transition and how Geoparks and protected areas can be growth tools for development and evolution.
Rapporteurs of the Dialogues are Prof. Yiannis Maniatis fmr Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change and Prof. Nikolaos Zouros President of the Global Geoparks Network, University of the Aegean, Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest Director.
The internationally renowned composer Mr. Dimitris Papadimitriou will present his creations.
We invite everyone to attend and follow the “Nisyrian Dialogues”. It will be a unique opportunity to visit the island of Nisyros as well! Admission to the Symposium is free.
Nisyrian Dialogues Leaflet
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Nisyrian Dialogues Leaflet
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In Cooperation with
With the Support
Under the Auspices of
Our Confirmed Speakers
His Eminence
Elder Metropolitan
Emmanuel of Chalcedon
His Eminence
Metropolitan Nathaniel
of Kos & Nisyros
Keynote Speaker
Antonis K. Samaras
fmr Prime Minister of GreeceDialogue Moderator
Yannis Pretenteris
Journalist/ColumnistDialogue Moderator
Alexia Tasouli
JournalistRapporteur
Prof. Yannis Maniatis
fmr Minister of Environment,Energy and Climate Change
Rapporteur
Prof. Nikolaos Zouros
President of the Global Geoparks Network, University of the Aegean, Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest Director
George Amiras
Deputy Minister of Environment and EnergyConstantinos Antonopoulos
Chairman and CEO, INSPIRING EARTH SA
Ioannis K. Chatjigeorgiou
National Technical University of Athens Vice Rector of Research and Lifelong EducationProfessor at the School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
Adonis Georgiadis
Minister of Development & Investments
Manos Kitsellis
Vice Mayor of KessarianiΜember of the board of SPAY
(Union for the Protection
and Development of Hymettus)
In charge of the development of the
network of paths of Hymettus
Moschos Korasidis
fmr Secretary General Ministry ofRural Development and Food
George I. Kormas
Exec. Gen'l Manager, Piraeus Bank GroupExec. Chairman of the Board, Piraeus Bank Real Estate
K. Mathioudakis
Professor, National Technical University of Athens, fmr Secretary General for Energy and Mineral Resources, Ministry of Environment and Energy
Dimitris Papastergiou
President of Central Union of Greek Municipalities, Mayor of Trikala
Maria Papadopoulou
Professor NTUABoard Chair N.E.C.C.A.
Dimitris Paraskevopoulos
Ambassador a.h.fmr Secretary General of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ambassador (Ret.)
Thomas M.T. Niles
Vice chairman US Council for International Businessfmr Asst. Secretary of State for Europe & Canada
fmr Ambassador to Greece
Honorary President of the Foundation
Zoom in, pre–recorded Dialogue
Ambassador (Ret.)
Charles Ries
Adjunct Senior Fellow Rand Corporationfmr US Ambassador to Greece
Zoom in, pre–recorded Dialogue
Alexandra Sdoukou
Secretary General for Energy & Mineral Resources
Margaritis Schinas
Vice-President European UnionPromoting our European Way of Life
Video message
Ambassador (Ret.)
Daniel B. Smith
fmr Acting Secretary of State USAfmr US Ambassador to Greece
Zoom in, pre–recorded Dialogue
Yiorgos Stathakis
Fmr Minister of Environment & EnergyProfessor at the University of Crete
Nisyrian Dialogues Program
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Nisyrian Dialogues Program
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Press Release
Nisyros, 14/6/2022
The Sustainable Development of Small Islands and the Geopolitics of Green Transition
A unique event, next to the crater of the volcano of Nisyros
June 16-19, 2022
1st Symposium “Nisyrian Dialogues” by the Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation
A spark of ideas, faith, perseverance, but also constant effort are sufficient foundations for dreams to become reality.
In the enchanting island of Nisyros, a breath away from the natural beauty of the volcano’s crater, the vision of Mr. Panagiotis G. Mihalos will take shape for the first time.
The 1st Symposium “Nisyrian Dialogues” will take place June 16 – 19, where prominent personalities from Greece and abroad will exchange key views on the sustainable development of the island and all small islands, the geopolitical importance of the green transition, as well as the ways in which geoparks and protected areas can become growth tools.
Keynote Speaker of the “Nisyrian Dialogues” is fmr Prime Minister of Greece Antonis K. Samaras, with rapporteurs Prof. Yannis Maniatis, fmr Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change and Prof. Nikolaos Zouros (President of the Global Geoparks Network, University of the Aegean, Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest Director).
The first day of the Symposium (Friday, June 17) starts with the Keynote Presentation of Prof. Nikolaos Zouros, on the UNESCO Geoparks and the prospects of protected areas as growth tools, and the “Dialogue” participants are the Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy George Amyras, Professor of NTUA and Board Chair of N.E.C.C.A. Maria Papadopoulou, the Mayor of Trikala and President of Central Union of Greek Municipalities Dimitris Papastergiou, as well as the Vice Mayor of Kessariani, Member of the board of SPAY (Union for the Protection and Development of Hymettus) and in charge of the development of the network of paths of Hymettus Manos Kitsellis.
The “Dialogue” continues with the presentation of a Study for the Holistic Development of Nisyros, within the context of the future of the primary sector in Small Islands, by 6 graduate students of the University of Piraeus, commissioned by the Foundation. The “Dialogue” on the findings of the study is led by the Agronomist, MSc MBA in Agribusiness, fmr Secretary General Ministry of Rural Development and Food Moschos Korasidis and Chairman & CEO of Inspiring Earth S.A Constantinos Antonopoulos.
The second day, Saturday June 18, the “curtain” of the “Dialogues” on the Green & Sustainable Development of Small Islands, and the Geopolitics of the Green Transition, will be opened with the Keynote Presentation of Prof. Yannis Maniatis fmr Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, while opinions, thoughts and reflections will be submitted on the subject of Green and Sustainable Development, by Alexandra Sdoukou Secretary General for Energy & Mineral Resources, Prof. Konstantinos Mathioudakis, National Technical University of Athens, fmr Secretary General for Energy and Mineral Resources, Ministry of Environment and Energy, Ioannis K. Chatjigeorgiou, National Technical University of Athens, Vice Rector of Research and Lifelong Education, Professor at the School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, as well as George I. Kormas, Exec. Gen’l Manager, Piraeus Bank Group, Exec. Chairman of the Board, Piraeus Bank Real Estate.
The “Dialogue” on Geopolitics of the Green Transition, will be led by Prof. Yannis Maniatis, the Minister of Development & Investments Adonis Georgiadis, fmr Minister of Environment & Energy, Professor at the University of Crete Yiorgos Stathakis, Ambassador a.h., fmr Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dimitris Paraskevopoulos, while present in the public debate – via Zoom in, pre-recorded Dialogue – will be the Vice Chairman of US Council for International Business, fmr Ambassador to the EU, fmr Asst. Secretary of State for Europe & Canada, fmr Ambassador to Greece and Honorary President of the Foundation, Ambassador (Ret.) Thomas M.T. Niles, Adjunct Senior Fellow Rand Corporation, fmr US Ambassador to Greece, Ambassador (Ret.) Charles Ries, as well as fmr Acting Secretary of State USA, fmr US Ambassador to Greece, Ambassador (Ret.) Daniel B. Smith.
Welcome remarks will be given by the Founder & President of the Foundation Panagiotis G. Mihalos, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew (video message), the Vice President of the European Union, Promoting our European Way of Life Margaritis Schinas (video message), and the Mayor of Nisyros Christofis Koronaios.
It is worth mentioning that the initiative belongs to “Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation – Sustainability of Nisyros” NPO, in cooperation with Natural Environment & Climate Change Agency (N.E.C.C.A.).
Press Release
Athens, May 2, 2022
Signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between
The Organization of Natural Environment & Climate Change
(N.E.C.C.A.)
And
Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation for the Sustainability of Nisyros NPO
The Organization for Natural Environment and Climate Change (NECCA) and Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation for the Sustainability of Nisyros NPO signed a five-year Memorandum of Cooperation, with the aim of promoting all actions that contribute to the promotion of the internationally unique character of the island of Nisyros, with emphasis on the enhancement and local sustainable development.
The Board President of N.E.C.C.A. Professor Ms Maria Papadopoulou, stated:
“The creation of essential collaborations with civil society organisations, which aim at the preservation and sustainable development of the natural environment of our country, is a dominant pillar of N.E.C.C.A. Today’s signing of the memorandum of cooperation with Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation NPO confirms the will of N.E.C.C.A. to align with local societies with a common goal that of their sustainable prospects.”
The Founder and President of the Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation Mr. Panagiotis (Peter) G. Mihalos, stated:
“At a time when development can only be sustainable, with a positive manifestation for the natural environment as well as for the people who live in it, the Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation NPO seeks to enter into strong collaborations and partnerships, in order to promote its agenda for the environment and sustainable development of Nisyros, as a model for all the small islands in general, in Greece and beyond. The best possible start was made with the Memorandum of Cooperation, which we signed with N.E.C.C.A.. Already, in this context, the first of a biennial Conference/Symposium «Nisyrian Dialogues», is being implemented on the island of Nisyros, June 16-19 2022. The first of a series of Conference/Symposium «Dialogues» scheduled under the same umbrella.”
A few words about Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation for the Sustainability of Nisyros NPO:
The Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation for the Sustainability of Nisyros NPO is a Civil Non – Profit Organisation. It was founded in 2021 by Panagiotis G. Mihalos as a way of expressing gratitude to his father, after whom the foundation is named.
The Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation NPO aims to contribute in the protection and promotion of the natural and cultural heritage of Nisyros, by placing them on the global narrative and in the context of sustainable development.
To enrich the public debate by creating a politico-economic content with views, thoughts and reflections, which will be utilized by the academic and scientific communities, decision-makers, public opinion leaders, representatives of civil society and political leadership, thus contributing to education and creation of new business opportunities, for the region’s environmentally sustainable development and make Nisyros an attractive location for settlement and relocation.
The Foundation aspires to be an international center for exchange of views on environment, cultural heritage and sustainability. Highlighting the island’s unique local characteristics, displaying every element of its uniqueness, aiming to protect its natural environment and promoting the well-being of its inhabitants.
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