1st Meeting on Sustainable Development in Naxos

We live in an era of rapid change and great challenges. Addressing in the best possible way the multiple problems facing Naxos (establishment of a mass tourism model, gradual disappearance of the primary sector, uncontrolled residential development, destruction of the natural and built environment and the landscape, water scarcity, climate change, degradation of basic infrastructure) and exploiting the existing possibilities, require cooperation and joining forces, informing and activating local bodies and citizens, studying with the help of specialist scientists the problems and proposals for addressing them and, ultimately, the formulation of a holistic plan for the sustainable development of the island.

We believe that the basic principles of this plan should be the protection and improvement of the natural environment, the promotion of the rich cultural heritage of Naxos, the support of the primary sector and local production, the strengthening of local communities and the reduction of regional inequalities, the substantial improvement of infrastructure, the planning to address climate change. Only with these principles can a sustainable perspective be ensured.

We hope that the meeting we are organizing for the Sustainable Development of Naxos will create a platform for stable dialogue, cooperation of broader forces and interventions in a positive direction. The proposals that will be submitted will utilize Greek and international experience, scientific knowledge and are based on the special characteristics of the island. The dialogue that we seek during the two-day meeting, but especially after it, and the promotion of elaborated proposals, we believe, will strengthen the ability of Naxian society to respond successfully to the critical challenges we face.

PROGRAMME
Saturday 31/5/2025, from 19.00 to 22.000

19.00 – 19.10 Greetings
A. Environment Section – Coordinator: Eleni Andrianopoulou
 The protection of the wildlife of Naxos.
Yannis Orfanos, Head of the Naxos Wildlife Protection Association.
 Walking, towards naturalism.
Penelope Matsouka, Biologist-Environmentalist, Anavasi Publications,
hiking maps and guides.
 Two years of the Save the Beaches of Naxos Movement. The contribution of
citizens in environmental protection.
Eleni Andrianopoulou, Save the Beaches of Naxos Movement.
 Sustainable use of water resources in Naxos. Concerns
on energy issues on the island.
Emilia M. Kondyli, Chemical Engineer, Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Engineering, University of West Attica.
10’ break
B. Tourism Section – Coordinator: Nikos Leandros
 Is tourism growth sustainable? Assessment of the situation and
alternative scenarios.
Yannis Spilanis, Emeritus Professor, University of the Aegean.
 The tourist development of Naxos. Thoughts and suggestions.
Nikos Leandros, Professor, Panteion University.
Former Vice-Chancellor of Economic Planning and Development.
 Tourism as a sponsor of architectural heritage. A proposal
for the development of mountainous Naxos.
Chrysostomos Kypritzis, Architect Engineer, President of the Association
Naxos Engineers.
 Naxos in front of its tourist mirror: Problems,
proposals and examples for a sustainable tomorrow.
Alexander Frantzeskos, Hotelier.

Sunday 1/6/2025, from 19.00 to 22.00
A. Section Local Products & Nutrition – Coordinator: Angeliki
Gratsia
 Viticulture and tradition.
Angeliki Grazia, Terra Grazia Winery
 Olive cultivation in Naxos.
Nikos Nikolakis, Farmer-Agriculturist.
2/5
 The business activity of "Kitros Naxos Vallindras" in
the passage of time and the impact on the local economy and
society of Naxos.
Irene Fragoudaki, 4th generation owner: Kitro Vallindra Naxos.
 Aromatic plants and herbs of the Naxian countryside: its gifts
nature.
Stefanos Psarras (Psarostefanos), Constantis Chouzouris (Pharaoh).
 Potato cultivation in Naxos.
Paraskevi Pittara, Agriculturalist.
 Livestock farming and dairies.
Nikolas Pittaras and Giorgos Babounis, Livestock Farmers – Cheesemakers.
 From the new common agricultural policy to the “vision for agriculture and
food": reflections on the future of Greek agriculture.
Charalambos Kasimis, Professor of Rural Sociology at the Department
Agricultural Economics and Rural Development of the Agricultural University
University of Athens.
10’ break
B. Section Culture – Coordinator: Marios Vazaios
 Protection and promotion of two Monuments of Nature and Culture.
Nikolas Vasilakis, Former Mayor of Filoti and Mayor
Drymalia.
 The promotion of the historical landscape in the local community through the
designated Routes of Cultural Interest of the island.
Basic terms of information and management of the project.
Tasos Anastasiou, Law Professor, University of Athens. Former Head of Services
Culture of the Prefectural Government of Cyclades and the Region of South
Aegean Region.
 Cultural heritage as an element of identity of a Society.
Nikos Moustakis, Graduate of the Athens University of Economics and
Law Department of the Athens Law School. Former Certified Auditor –
Partner at Ernst & Young. Advisor to the Ministries of Finance and National Security.
Economy. Restored the Old Commercial Neighborhood of Fasolas in
Filoti.
 Culture as a process of transformation and change for individuals and
societies in the postmodern era.
Stelios Krasanakis MD, Psychiatrist-Dramatherapist-Teacher
NKUA-Director.
 Highlighting monuments and historical sites as dissemination vehicles
culture. Examples from the Greek area, from Magnisali-
Bilis Studio.
Maria Magnisali, Architect Engineer NTUA, MSc.
21.50-22.00 Review-closing of the two-day conference

Organization: Panteion University – Naxos Festival
Location: Bazeos Tower, 12km. Naxos Town-Agiasos Road