ENGLISH
Part A’
Prof. Agni Vlavianos Arvanitis, President of the Biopolitics International Organisation:Canwe stillbesavedfromthetsunamiofenvironmentaldestruction? Maybe, nowis the opportunity to build a Society of Hope. Everyone should contribute towards this direction.
Prof. Gordan Karaman, MontenegroAcademy of Sciences and Arts: Prof. Karaman spoke about the environment and the general issues of environmental education that concern mostly the farmers and the authorities. “There is fruitful collaboration between the Montenegro Academy of Sciences and Arts and the Biopolitics International Organisation which aims at reversing unemployment through environmental protection. We live in a century, where a lot of changes take place and every human being has the ability to affect the environment and the biosphere. The Greenhouse effect, global warming and the melting ices in the North Pole are some of these dangerous phenomena.”
Dr. Jovanovic Miomir, University of Montenegro–“The aim of the programme is to implement a series of e- learning courses on sustainable agriculture.”
Ali Yahya, Ambassador of Israel: “We tried to stop desertification by planting certain kinds of plants to help save water in our country. Somebody said that the next war that will take place in the area will be about water and not oil. I hope this will not be the case, although this may still come true. We must adopt the farmers’ way of life. Israel succeeded in many ways by creating new technologies against desertification. Furthermore, I believe that education, in every shape or form, isabsolutely necessary to teach children to protect the planet. We must find a way to help ourselves and protect the MotherLand without killing Mother Nature. Money is not always enough. We have to be sensitive, we need to get involved and take responsibilities.”
Prof. Agni Vlavianos Arvanitis: Mr. Ambassadorrepresents two different cultures. There is still hope. There is nothing to divide. We must be optimistic but at the same time, we must hear the ticking clock.
Sverre Stub, Ambassador of Norway: “The environmental situation has deteriorated. However, thereshould still be hope. We must be sensitizedon a national and individual level. That means governments, businesses, civil society and in the end you and I.Global warming is already here. Norway already experiences the results of themelting ices in the Arctic Circleand polar bears have become environmental immigrants. There is always time for action depending on our goals and objectives.The United Nations and the European Union have one of the most urgent and important tasks ever.Big and small companiescan now have the opportunity to contribute. Tax-payers’ money that goes to handle the financial crisis should be spent to help build a “greener society” with a “greener economy”.”
Chaves Oswaldo E., Venezuela: “Building aGreen Society could lead to the reversalof thecurrent economic situation and the resolution of educational issues. Universities should reach all levels of society and help create an environmentally friendly society. It is important for everyone to take responsibilities.”
Part B’
Spyros Spyrou, Vice- Chairman, AthensRedCrossHospital: “Employment is paramount fora smooth social rehabilitation amongdisabled people. We believe that people with disabilities can have theopportunity to enter the productive workforce, by promoting their abilities and strengthening their skills through education, by enjoying total accessibility and by living in a country whose laws and legislations are on a level with international standards.”
Katerina Patsogianni, Special Advisor, General Secretariat of Youth:“Nowadays, there is great concern for the young people of this country, who sometimes destroy or demonstrate peacefully, who are indifferent or participate dynamically in various environmental organizations. There is definitely something happening here. The General Secretariat of Youth promotes the development of special skills and abilities through an atypical educational process of e-learning courses, in the field of sustainable development. To protect the environment means to participate.”
Ioannis Tzen, President of the Hellenic Scouts Board and KEDR Bank Official Representative for Greece and Europe: “There is great need for the implementation of a common environmental policy which will reward its supporters and punish the wrong doers. Young people need to have guidance that will give them the possibility to develop feelings of respect towards the environment. Creating the future is a challenge for all of us.”
Alexandros Vrahnos, Green Transport President, Hellenic Ministry of Transport: “We have created a committee that aims at promoting research on Green Transport. We have taken actions by collaborating with the Center for Renewable Energy Sources and a campaign on eco-driving to promote wiser driving. Green towns with more bicycle lanes and fuel efficient cars are a priority for us. There is constant effort to change they way people think about public transport.”
Stefanos Kostopoulos, Fr. Chairman of the Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce: “Nowadays, companies start realising that not only do they have nothing to lose by adopting environmental policies, but they can also make huge profits. Everyone should take responsibilities and action, from the government and the scientific community to the small companies and each and every one of us.”