Nisyros island is charting a course for initiatives in geopolitics, energy, security, and the environment throughout the Mediterranean!

Mr. Panagiotis Mihalos, president of the «Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation» and creative inspirer, visionary of the «Nisyros Dialogues - Bridging the East Med», stated in an interview with the Greek newspaper “Estia tis Kiriakis” that he envisions the island as a hub for ideological production and a base for initiating policies and collaborations across the entire Eastern Mediterranean region.

A surge of ideas on the volcanic island of Nisyros, which is carving out its place on the map, disproportionately large to its size, establishing itself as a "hub", a space for ideological production and a base for launching policies and collaborations for the Eastern Mediterranean region! Of course, behind the events, as almost always happens, is the person, a personality that's transcending the perceptions of mere happenings, the implementer of the vision, President of the «Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation», Mr. Panagiotis Mihalos.

Thanks to him, Nisyros island has become a "Mediterranean Davos", an international center for exchanging views and fruitful dialogue, steadily fueling public discourse on issues of Eastern Mediterranean geopolitics, energy and security, environment, climate change, cultural heritage, sustainable regional development, and insularity. An institution under the auspices of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, managed by an Executive Board and an Advisory Committee of distinguished personalities. The Greek Newspaper "Estia tis Kyriakis" spoke with Mr. P. Mihalos about the way he manages to turn an island with limited tourist options day by day, year by year, into a hub for the dissemination of ideological choices, productive proposals, and a landmark for creating new policies for the broader region.

• Because people are inspired by great initiatives and create vision and goals, we would like you to tell us how the idea of the "Nisyros Dialogues" was born.

The creation of the «Nisyros Dialogues - Bridging the East Med», an international center for the exchange of views and fruitful dialogue on issues of the environment, geopolitics of the Eastern Mediterranean, cultural heritage, and sustainable development, arose from my personal need to highlight my place of origin, Nisyros, and to honor my father, in whose memory I founded the «Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation»,  the implementing body of the «Nisyros Dialogues».

The «Dialogues» started as a think tank, a forum, which is taking place for the third consecutive year. On this journey, I have the honor and fortune to have as companions, close friends and valuable collaborators who support the Board of Directors and the Advisory Committee of the Foundation and enrich it with their knowledge and experience.

And of course, I must mention that the success of the «Dialogues» is significantly enhanced by and critically supported by the prestigious organizations with which we have established partnerships, such as the SPAY, the National Technical University of Athens, and NECCA, among others. It is also particularly important to us that the «Nisyros Dialogues» are once again under the auspices of the Hellenic Presidency of the Republic and the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

• The Foundation and, by extension, the "Dialogues" are vehicles for initiatives regarding the environment and primarily geopolitical developments?

Exactly. «Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation» aims on one hand to highlight and protect the natural and cultural heritage of the border regions of our country, especially the Nisyros complex. On the other hand, through the «Nisyros Dialogues», it seeks to consistently fuel public dialogue on issues of geopolitics, energy and security, the environment, climate change, cultural heritage, and sustainable development. And I believe we have achieved this to a great extent.

«Nisyros Dialogues» have established themselves as an important institution and a "vehicle" for promoting collaborations for sustainability in the Eastern Mediterranean. Through our strategic partnerships—such as those mentioned earlier—and the distinguished speakers who participate each year, the «Nisyros Dialogues» enrich public discussion by generating content, opinions, thoughts, and concerns with the goal of being suitably utilized by the academic and scientific community, policy makers, and decision-making organizations.

• Why have you chosen Nisyros as the venue for the «Dialogues»?

For both substantial and symbolic reasons. As I mentioned earlier, Nisyros island holds special significance for me. My father deeply respected and loved this place, every corner, every path, and every stone. All my childhood memories with him are on Nisyros island.

But beyond my personal connection to the island, it is a unique place. Nisyros is both an island and a volcano. It combines natural beauty and energy with culture and history. It is a remote, yet rich place with many possibilities. Additionally, it is located in an important geostrategic position in the southeastern Mediterranean region.

All these factors made Nisyros the birthplace of the «Dialogues». And of course, Nisyros itself is the reason why «Nisyros Dialogues» are now considered a prime example of conference tourism both in our country and in the broader region.

Tell us some information about the «Nisyros Dialogues 2024».

The focus of the «Nisyros Dialogues 2024» is on the sustainability of insularity based on developments in the Eastern Mediterranean region and the challenges of the modern era.

Specifically, this year's «Dialogues» are conducted under the central theme "Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean: Geopolitics, Energy, Insularity" with four specialized thematic discussions: First, the geopolitical developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and energy security. Second, tourism - overtourism and management. Third, climate change and the sustainability of islands and coastal Greece. Fourth, GReco and Smart islands.

We have the honor of hosting speakers including representatives of the government and all democratic parties of the country, distinguished academics, former diplomats from Greece and abroad, high-profile business leaders and executives, as well as renowned journalists who will act as the "Dialogue moderators" – as I like to call them.

Additionally, at the «Nisyros Dialogues 2024», the study by NECCA and diaNEOsis: "Strategic Plan for the Organization and Development of Tourism in Natura 2000 Network Areas" will be presented for the first time.

Finally, it is worth mentioning that this year is the first time there will be representation from Generation Z at the «Dialogues», which brings us particular joy as they are the generation gradually taking the reins, especially during a period of successive and significant crises.

• Thank you, Mr. Mihalos. I am sure that this year's «Dialogues» will be of great interest and will contribute to public discussion in a fruitful and meaningful way.

Thank you as well. It will be a great pleasure to have all your newspaper's readers with us, even online, as «Nisyros Dialogues» will be broadcast live through our official YouTube channel.