“Dialogue of Civilizations” Concludes

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   The 7th Annual Session of the World Public Forum “Dialogue of Civilizations” concluded on the Dodecanese island of Rhodes yesterday (October 13) with the adoption of the “2009 Rhodes Declaration.”  The event was attended by 500 delegates from 70 countries and among the messages read out was one by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who praised the positive impact of the annual forum on several international and regional mechanisms and in developing relations between civil societies in many countries.  In its final meeting, the Forum decided to hold its 8th annual session on Rhodes once more, on October 7-10, 2010.

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The Hidden Fabulous Greece

(www.minpress.gr / The Observer , 10.05.09)  Greece has been a popular tourist destination for decades. Despite the mass tourism, quiet villages and deserted beaches do still exist. Nicola Iseard of “The Observer” assembled a panel of experts and persuaded them to reveal their personal favorites of Greece.   The extensive article features secret islands like Kastellorizo in the  Dodecanese, Milos in the Southern Cyclades and Antipaxoi in the  Ionian Sea and hidden fabulous beaches like Egremni in Lefkada Island.   Moreover there are suggestions for special places to stay like Milia Settlement in Crete and suggestions for the best taverns serving traditional Greek food. For the more adventurous ones, the article suggests active escapes like rock climbing in Kalymnos Island. Read the whole article here.

First E-School on Greek Island

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   The small island of Pserimos in the Dodecanese officially counts 130 inhabitants, and no more than 25 during winter time. Amongst them are seven children, all siblings. When the time comes for the youngest of the seven siblings to graduate from primary school, a problem may occur since there is no highschool and children are obliged to travel to the island of Kalymnos.  The prefecture of the Dodecanese decided to introduce a distance learning project which will enable children to attend school from their place of residence. Still a pilot project, the Prefecture which is in close cooperation with the Aegean University, Department of Computer Science, has committed to promote and expand the project should it prove successful. Prefecture of the Dodecanese: Distance Learning; Information Society-Operational Programme “Information Society”: New Technologies in Education; Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs: Centre for Vocational Training: Distance Learning

Green Energy in Greece

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   The Mediterranean Sea comprises many diverse regions – islands, mountain, rural and urban areas – but many of these areas have common environment and development problems, such as the issues of management and development of water and energy resources. The necessity for covering energy needs reliably in urban and rural areas gave rise to the Emergence 2010 project launched under the European Interreg IIIB MEDOCC programme. The objective is “to ensure a reliable and continuous energy supply through decentralized production form Renewable Energy Sources leading to energy solutions with no contribution to greenhouse gases production.” The project partners involve several Mediterranean countries, including the Dodecanese Prefecture and the Center for Renewable Energy Sources (CRES) in Greece.  Center for Renewable Energy Sources (CRES): EMERGENCE 2010

Greek Islands: Symi

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)      The island of Symi (www.symi.gr) belongs to the group of  Dodecanese islands. Though stylish and cosmopolitan, it has managed to remain simple and unspoiled. No modern concrete construction, no high-rise hotels, no villa complexes. Few other islands have Symi’s crisp brightness and its amphitheatre of imposing neo-classical mansions, in traditional shades, stacked one on top of the other up the barren hillside. Sporting the rugged charm of its dry landscape and its breathtaking harbour Gialos, this small, beautiful island has experienced tourism, embraced it, and absorbed it, without letting it harm its charm.

Greece: Kalymnos Island

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA) The island of Kalymnos (www.kalymnos-isl.gr), part of the Dodecanese islands in the Aegean sea, is the island of sponge-divers. Their stories about the difficulties of the past, the preparation, the “divers’ disease,” as well as the museum of the sponge-divers indicate that the past has left its mark on the future. Kalymnos – located at about 300 kilometers south east of Athens, and 100 north west of Rhodes – is now considered one of the must-visit climbing destinations because of its dedication to sport climbing. There are nearly 1000 routes, featuring stalactites, vertical slabs, roofs and fantastic caves. More than 30 areas have been developed, offering a variety of beautiful routes (Rock climbing sectors & routes ).

The Greek Islands: Karpathos

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   Karpathos (www.karpathos.gr) is the second largest island in the Dodecanese group. Spectacularly beautiful, with wild, rugged landscape, mountainous in the north and fertile in the south, with wildflowers, Karpathos is a paradise for naturalists. It has extensive beaches with white sands.  Traditions have been well kept in Karpathos. In Olympos village, women still wear their beautiful, colourful, traditional costumes every day, and bake bread in their outdoor ovens.

Rhodes: Greek Jewel

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)    Rhodes is the biggest of the Dodecanese islands. It boasts a beautiful natural environment – much of its surface (40%) is covered by forests, such as the Valley of Butterflies – a veritable feast for the eyes in spring. Rhodes offers a variety of long, beautiful beaches, some less frequented than others, affording more privacy. The island is also rich with significant monuments. In the medieval old town, one can see the high-walled Castle of the Knights of Saint John and the palace of Grand Magister. One may also visit the municipal art gallery, which exhibits a remarkable collection of 20th century works. Furthermore, the Acropolis of Lindos is a must-see, a very imposing, awe-inspiring archaeological site that dates back to the Neolithic Age.  Agrotravel: Rhodes the grand lady of the Dodecanese; Municipality of Rhodes: www.rhodes.gr