Electra Palace, Athens, Greece
28-29 September 2022
The hybrid Greece-Japan Sustainable Islands Symposium is co-organised by the Research Laboratory on Socio-Economic and Environmental Sustainability (ReSEES) at Athens University of Economics and Business, the Institute for Future Initiatives (IFI) at the University of Tokyo and the Alliance of Excellence for Research and Innovation on Αephoria (AE4RIA). It will take place from 28th to 29th of September at the Electra Palace in Athens, Greece followed by a hybrid Climathon on Sustainable islands which will run from 28th to 30th of September inviting everyone to suggest solutions on “Sustainability and ageing population”.
Islands are social-ecological systems with unique characteristics shaped by the (often extreme) remoteness from mainland areas. For example, many island host unique and highly endemic ecosystems that have evolved over millennia. Similarly, many islands have very distinct cultures and social systems, with local communities that have strong values and a sense of place. Indeed, islands are considered hotspots of biocultural diversity.
Japan and Greece are both island nations, containing hundreds of islands of different sizes and populations. Islands within each country have highly varied ecosystems and cultural characteristics and vulnerability to environmental, socio-economic and environmental change. Some of the common challenges, faced by both countries are overfishing, an aging population, climate change impacts on biodiversity and the goal of becoming sustainable and energy autonomous.
The Symposium will explore commonalities and divergences in the sustainability challenges facing islands in the two countries and the wider Mediterranean region, as well as the solutions designed and implemented to tackle these challenges. It aims to enhance the understanding and common ground of the challenges the two countries face while engaging the youth and suggesting solutions and best practices that can be upscaled and replicated by other areas.
Each day of the Symposium will start with two leading Keynote speakers, followed by eight targeted presentations exploring in more depth relevant sustainability challenges and solutions. Each day will conclude with a panel discussion featuring four of the day’s presenters that put into perspective the main discussed topics.
The event will be held in English and attendance is free of charge.
In person participation will be on a first come, first served basis.
Please see the conference outline and register your interest here and if you wish to participate in the Climathon on Sustainable islands, here.