The Hellenic Society for the Environment and Cultural Heritage, the Department of Environment of the University of the Aegean, and the National Museum of Natural History Goulandris are pleased to organize a conference on:
“Strengthening Islands: From Vulnerability to Resilience through Nature-Based Solutions”
Friday, 5 June 2026 | 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
National Museum of Natural History Goulandris
The conference is supported by Bodossaki Lectures on Demand (BLOD), the online lecture library (blod.gr) of the Bodossaki Foundation.
The conference programme is as follows:
10:00 – 10:15
REGISTRATION
10:15 – 10:30
WELCOME ADDRESSES – INTRODUCTION
Fali Vogiatzaki, President, National Museum of Natural History Goulandris
Lydia Carras, President, Hellenic Society for the Environment and Cultural Heritage (ELLET)
Stylianos Xanthopoulos, Vice Rector for Administrative and Academic Affairs
10:30 – 10:50
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
“From Vulnerability to Sustainability and Resilience”
Yiannis Spilanis, Emeritus Professor, University of the Aegean
10:50 – 11:50
SESSION I – NATURAL AND HUMAN ENVIRONMENT
Moderator: Konstantina Tsalapati, Lecturer, University of the Aegean
Mary Tziraki, Spatial Planning Officer, ELLET
“Planning Island Sustainability through Spatial Planning”
Dimitra Chondroyanni, Assistant Professor, University of the Aegean
“Green Infrastructure and Sustainable Settlement Design: Enhancing Island Resilience”
George Karris, Associate Professor, Ionian University; President of ELLET’s Natural Environment Council
“Institutional and Administrative Framework for Biodiversity Protection in Island and Marine Ecosystems”
Vasiliki Chrysopolitou, Biodiversity Conservation and Networking Officer, National Museum of Natural History Goulandris – Greek Biotope/Wetland Centre
“The New Nature Restoration Regulation: Challenges and Prospects”
11:50 – 12:10
Questions & Discussion
12:10 – 12:30
Coffee Break
12:30 – 13:30
SESSION II – WATER MANAGEMENT:
FROM TERRACES TO PUBLIC FOUNTAINS
Moderator: Dr Konstantina Tsalapati, Lecturer, University of the Aegean
Eleni Fytoka, Inventories Officer, Goulandris Natural History Museum – Greek Biotope/Wetland Centre &
Fotini Vrettou, Central Aegean Protected Areas Management Unit, OFYPEKA
“Updating Knowledge and Developing a Prioritisation Tool for Actions in Small Island Wetlands of the Natura 2000 Network”
Thanos Giannakakis, Nature-Based Solutions Coordinator, WWF Greece
“Stone Terraces and Water Management on Islands: Green Infrastructure for Climate Change Adaptation”
Maria Chatziantoniou, Laboratory Teaching Staff Member, University of the Aegean
“Back to the Fountain: Reconciling the Right to Water Access with Transparency in Environmental Data”
Nasos Stasinakis, Professor, University of the Aegean
“Application of Nature-Based Technologies for Wastewater Treatment and Reuse”
13:30 – 14:10
ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION
“The Role of Civil Society in Building Sustainable and Resilient Islands”
Moderator: Miltiadis Lazoglou, Coordinator, Hellenic Society for the Environment and Cultural Heritage (ELLET)
Nikos Charalampidis, Executive Director, Greenpeace Greece
Alexis Katsaros, Executive Director, MEDINA
Betty Hadjinikolaou, President of ELLET’s Institutional Framework Council
14:10 – 14:30
DISCUSSION – CONCLUSIONS
The conference is supported by Bodossaki Lectures on Demand (BLOD), the online lecture library of the Bodossaki Foundation (blod.gr).
