ATHENS, MAY 16-17, 2024
Venue: Athens Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ACCI), Akadimias 7, Athens
Epidemics, health inequalities and unequal access to health care, the manifestations of climate change, forced migration, wars and the collapse of democratic institutions are major social challenges of the 21st century. The water nexus is inextricably linked to these social challenges, and this will be the main theme of the 3rd International Water Forum to be held in Athens, 16 & 17 May 2024.
Scientists from countries of the Eastern Mediterranean area and the Balkans will participate in the 3rd International Water Forum, discuss and examine prospects for strengthening their cooperation in areas of common interest, as well as common security challenges concerning water security and resources.
Professor Culture & Politics, Ph.D President for European Studies & Humanities “Ioannis Capodistrias”, President of Hellenic Νational Committee of Clubs and Centres for Unesco, President of Advisory Committee
Mary Marouli-Zilemenou was born in Greece. She studied Political, Economic and Legal Sciences in Greece and France. She holds an MBA from the Economic Univ in Athens and a MA in Comparative Politics from Strasbourg University.
She holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Politics - from Panteion University where she taught for 40 years parliamentary law, Greek constitutional history and human rights in the European Union.
She is member of the Board of Directors of the "Euro - Mediterranean Academy of Arts and Sciences" based in Georgia and is teaching - as a visitor professor - " in European and American Universities for the last 8 years.
She has published 5 books on topics relating to the functioning of the State.
She has organized international Conferences and Scientific Meetings in Greece and abroad on Environment, Energy Security and Culture, in cooperation with Greek and foreign universities the European Union and UNESCO.
A number of her articles have been published in scientific journals in Greece and abroad. Has received awards from the Massachusetts Senate; Rhodes Island - USA, from the Ministry of Education of Spain, from UNESCO and other Organizations for her contribution to culture in general.
She has been awarded -three times- with the "Paul Harris Fellow" by the Rotary International for her humanitarian work. She is:
Professor, Unesco Chairholder on Conservation & Ecotourism of Riparian and Deltaic Ecosystems Vice-President of Advisory Committee
He is a graduate of the Department of Forestry and Natural Environment of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and holds a PhD in the field of "Mountain Water Management" from the same School. He completed his postdoctoral studies at the Polytechnic University of Madrid, where he received the honorary distinction of "Ingeniero de Montes de Honor". He has been a Full Professor at the Department of Forestry and Natural Environment of Drama since 2008. He served as Vice President of International and European Affairs at the Technological Educational Institute of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (TEI EMTh) from 2008 to 2017 and as Vice-Rector of the same Institution from 2017 to 2019. He has coordinated thirty-one (31) International and National competitive Research Programs to date and has served as Director of the Postgraduate Program "Water Resources Management in the Mediterranean" and the MSc Program "Human and Water", while he is also the Director of the Interdepartmental MSc Program "Analysis and Management of Human-induced and Natural Disasters", jointly implemented by the Democritus University of Thrace and the Hellenic Fire Service. Since 2016, he has held the UNESCO Chair on Management and Protection of Coastal and Deltaic Ecosystems, since 2019 he has been the Director of the Laboratory "Hydrometeorological Disasters and Climate Change Monitoring" at the Department of Forestry and Natural Environment of the Democritus University of Thrace, and since 2021 he has been the Director of the Established Research Laboratory for Analysis and Management of Human-induced and Natural Disasters – ASSIST, which as of March 13, 2024, belongs to the Democritus University of Thrace. His published work includes fourteen (14) books and more than two hundred and fifty (250) research papers.
MA. MBA. former Diplomat
ANASTASIOS VARELAS MA. MBA
Honorary Director of European Commission Scientific Advisor of Greek Prime Minister for the Environment
Giorgos Kremlis
is Honorary Director in the European Commission. He is also in charge of circular economy and insularity on behalf of DGENV.
He started his career in the Commission in 1981. He was a Legal advisor (from January 1981) in the European Commission’s Legal Service, with an interruption of three years (1990-1993) in Greece where he exercised the functions of Advisor to the Greek Minister of National Economy (1990), National Co-ordinator for the EEC internal market (1990-1992), Head of the EEC Committee under the Greek Prime Minister (1993), and Secretary General for European Affairs in the Ministry of National Economy (1993). During this period he was also a Member of the Greek Competition authority.
In 1995 he joined DGENV. From 1995 to 2004 he served as Head of the Legal Unit, responsible for all legal issues in the DG. From 2004 to 2005 he was the Head of the “Legal affairs and Governance” Unit, and from June 2005 to May 2013 Head of the Unit "Cohesion Policy and Environmental Impact assessments”. From June 2013 till 30 March 2018 he has served as Head of the "Mainstreaming and Environmental Assessments" Unit (former "Enforcement, Cohesion Policy & European Semester, Cluster 1" Unit); in between, from March to August 2011, he served as Acting Director of the Directorate "Legal Affairs and Cohesion" and from June 2013 to January 2014 as Director ad interim of the Directorate "Implementation, Governance and Semester".
Dr. International Law, President “Kleisthenis Org", General Secretary of Phychico / Philothei Municipality
Dr. Michalis Christakis -since 2011- is the President of the Panhellenic Association of General Secretaries (City Managers) in Municipal Authorities (Klesthenes) of Greece. From January 2007 until September 2015 served as General Secretary of the Municipality of Amaroussion (the city of 2004 Olympic Games, north of Athens, region of Attica). From 2015 to 2017 served as General Secretary of the Municipality of Dionyssos (North Atttica). Since May 2017 serves as General Secretary of the Municipality of Nea Smyrni (south of Athens, region of Attica). Since 2001, holds a tenure position as a national expert in the National Center for Public Administration and Local Government of the Ministry of Interior and Public Administration. He has been President for the Fisheries Sector for Greece on an EU PROJECT on baseline measurement and reduction of administrative costs for related businesses for the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). He has been a Special Advisor in the Ministry of Health and Social Solidarity, the Hellenic Ministry for the Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works, the Ministry of Public Order and the Hellenic Agency for Local Development and Local Government. He holds a Degree in Political Sciences and Public Administration (University of Athens – Greece), a Masters Degree in European Studies (University of Reading – UK), and a Doctorate in International Relations (University of KENT – UK). He has lectured in the fields of European Policies, Public Administration and International Relations in the National School of Public Administration and Local Government, the Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences in Athens – Greece and Military Academies.
Professor, Dr. of Sciences, President of the EuroMediterranean Academy of Arts and Sciences
From 1970 until 1992 Prof. Kervalishvili was researcher and Director in different research and technology centers within the Middle Machinery Ministry (State Committee for Atomic Energy) of former USSR main body of the Soviet atomic energy and weapon industry (Institute of Stable Isotopes, The Soviet State institute of Rare Metals, Sukhumi Physical Technical Institute, I. Kurchatov
Institute of Atomic Energy) In 1994 1999, after one year in Parliament of Georgia he worked in Government of Georgia (as Secretary of State in the State Committee
for Science and Technology, Assistant to President of the State in Science and Technology)
A condensed matter physicist with Technical University Diploma, Dr. Kervalishvili has served in several directions of physics and technology such as: condensed
matter, molecular and quantum physics, nuclear and laser technologies, novel materials, sensory systems, energy and information technologies. He is author of
more than 450 scientific publications, books, manuals, and inventions and among them scientific bestsellers published by IOS Press, Pergamon Press, Springer.
Prof. Kervalishvili is a member of more than 10 top level academies and research councils and among them: full member of American, European, Russian and
Georgian scientific academies, Georgian Engineering academy and other distinguish organizations. Currently he is the President of Georgian Academy of Natural Sciences and President of Euro Mediterrane an Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Dr. Kervalishvili received more than 20 prestigious prizes and state orders and among them USSR, Georgia, Germany, Italy, different public organizations,
scientific academies and universities (USA, Greece, Russia, Turkey, Romania, etc.)
As a Director and coordinator of several (more than 90) World Bank, EU, ISTC, etc. d coordinator of several (more than 90) World Bank, EU, ISTC, etc. projects and Chairman of International Forums and Conferences (more than 60), projects and Chairman of International Forums and Conferences (more than 60), as well as Professor of some well known European and American Universities he has as well as Professor of some well known European and American Universities he has the wide international experience.
P. Kervalishvili received his B.S. and M.S. in engineering physics from Georgian li received his B.S. and M.S. in engineering physics from Georgian Technical University. The Soviet State institute of Rare Metals awarded him the Technical University. The Soviet State institute of Rare Metals awarded him the title of Ph. D., and Dr.title of Ph. D., and Dr.--Eng. in 1979, and Soviet atomic centre “Kurchatov Institute” Eng. in 1979, and Soviet atomic centre “Kurchatov Institute” –– degree of Doctor of pdegree of Doctor of physics and mathematics (1985). hysics and mathematics (1985). He got USSR Professor State He got USSR Professor State title in 1989.title in 1989.
Professor, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Webster University Athens
Dr. Susie Michailidis, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Webster University Athens is an educator and scholar with more than thirty years of experience.
As a researcher and member of the Academy of Sciences of Georgia, Academy of Natural Sciences of Russia and Vice President of the Euro-Mediterranean Academy of Arts and Sciences, she has a record in scholarship and vast publications in the fields of philology, literature, literary criticism, philosophy, history and social sciences. One of the last publication is: Michailidis, S. Kervalishvili, P. ”Philosophy and Synergy of Information: Sustainability and Security.” NATO Science for Peace and Security Series. IOS Press. Amsterdam, Berlin, Tokyo, Washington DC, 2012
She has several scientific honors. Dr. Michailidis was included in “2000 Outstanding Scholars of the 20th century for the contribution in the field of Comparative Literature and Literary Criticism” and her name is in several editions of “Who is Who in the World”, “Who is Who in Greece” as well.
Dr. Michailidis’ mission has always been based on her experience to demonstrate a managerial role at an institution of higher learning providing an excellent liberal education as well as dedication, commitment and ability to create and develop diverse programs and projects. During her career in the institutions of higher learning and research, she naturally uses loyalty, integrity and dependability in working with the student body, faculty and staff. She is proficient in several foreign languages with very good command of communication in multicultural settings.
Director, ACTIVATE Nonprofit Organization: Pathways to Positive Change Through the Arts & Sciences, Cyprus
Originally from the island of Cyprus, Melina Nicolaides was born in Washington, D.C. and spent her childhood years there and in New Delhi, followed by secondary education in Geneva, and completion of her studies at the St. George’s British School of Rome (Head Girl). She holds a BA in History from Princeton University, obtained with the thesis “A Problem of Authenticity and Representation in a 19th Century Vision of the Orient”, as considered through Verdi’s opera Aida, first presented in Cairo in 1871. Following an extended training-period at the E.U. in the sectors of Communication, Information and Cultural Heritage (D.G. X), she went on to earn a multidisciplinary MFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art, which she attended as an A.G. Leventis Foundation Scholar, and where she received the Institution’s Graduate Award. As a visual artist, and then as an environmentally-engaged curator and writer, her work was presented in solo and over fifty group events and exhibitions internationally, receiving art awards, cultural fellowships, and governmental project grants both in the USA and in Europe.
Over the years, channeling new interests and continued study, her practice expanded in scope towards topics that related to connecting efforts and creating new perspectives around the urgent need for environmental and social change. Subsequently, as Founding Director of ACTIVATE Nonprofit Organization, her focus turned to developing cross-disciplinary projects that communicate climate-related challenges of the Eastern Mediterranean & MENA region, by connecting the fields of science and art with society. As research-based initiatives that bring together people from across this region and diverse spheres of knowledge, the aim is to help build creative, human-centered, and solution-oriented collaborations related to water, food, and energy security.
In addressing these connected topics, the primary objectives include unifying the diverse efforts being carried out – from within the scientific community and academia to individuals working on the ground – while also highlighting the multiple environmental, social, and cultural ‘connected points’ or commonalities shared between the countries and peoples of the MENA region. The underlying principle, while also encouraging public awareness, is to illustrate how working as a broader community – and acknowledging and integrating these factors – will ultimately benefit the crafting of appropriate strategies and applicable environmental policies for this region.
Following her work as a member of one of the 13 thematic research Task Forces of the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East Climate Initiative (EMME-CCI) launched by the Government of Cyprus in 2019, Ms. Nicolaides served at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as Advisor for the President’s Regional Climate Initiative for its second and intergovernmental phase. The mandate was to shape new communicative and cross-disciplinary pathways and partnerships on which to be able to build the basis of a viable Climate Action Diplomacy strategy that could involve both leadership and the communities of the region.
Ms. Nicolaides is internationally Permaculture Design certified (PDC), is an active member of the Advisory Board of the Future Earth MENA Regional Center (FEMRC) hosted by The Cyprus Institute, and served on the Steering Committee for the E.U. Interreg MED Programme ARISTOIL, now in its on-the-ground capacity-building stage. She was recently invited to serve on the Board of Directors of the Tassos Papadopoulos Research Center, an academic institution devoted to the study of the Republic of Cyprus, and to the archiving of historical, political and diplomatic primary source material.
As with all her work through the years, the commitment is to always be seeking original ways for people to collaborate on the challenges most distinctively characteristic of the MENA region; to connect ideas, share solutions, best practices and innovations, with others. Moreover, to contribute to the transformation of creative collaboration into definitive collective action for this decade of increasing complexities within these shared challenges.
Em. Professor of International Law at Panteion University, former Rector, former Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change
Grigoris I. Tsaltas, born in Athens, is an Emeritus Professor of International Law at Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences. He has served as Rector of Panteion University and is the Founding Director of the European Centre for Environmental Research and Training (EKePEK), the Jean Monnet Chair “European Union and Developing Countries” Holder and Member of the Board of the Institute of International Relations of Panteion University. He has also served as a Member of the Boards of the Hellenic Society of International Law and International Relations and the Aegean Institute for the Law of the Sea and Maritime Law and has been a Member of the Association Internationale du Droit de la Mer. In 2012 he was proclaimed chevalier dans l'ordre des Palmes Academiques by the French State.
In the past, he has served as Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, Chairman of the Department of International and European Studies (2010-2012), Vice President of Association Internationale du droit de l'urbanisme (AIDRU), Chairman of UNESCO Attica Club as well as visiting professor at the following universities: University of Madrid (I.C.A.D.E.), Sorbonne, Tilburg, Louvain la Nueve, Dubrovnick, Krakovie, Cadi Ayat, Abidjan, and Cyprus.
He holds a Doctorat D’Etat en Droit (unanimously excellent) in International Law from the University of Legal and Economic Sciences of Nice, a Masters’ Degree from the Institut Européen des Hautes Etudes Internationales of the University of Nice, a Masters’ Degree in Public International Law specializing in the Law of Development from Institut du Droit de la Paix et du Développement of the University of Nice and a Degree in Political Science from Panteion University of Social and Political Science.
His research interests contain policies and international law of development, international law and international policy of environmental protection, international law of the sea, European policies of environmental protection, geography in international studies.
Dr., Alternative Director of Training Institute (INEP) Public Administration and Local Government
Doctorate in the Training of Public Officers in the Greek Public Administration in the field of teaching Foreign Languages to adults. MA in International Relations from the University of Kent at Canterbury (UK) and in Theoretical Linguistics from the University of Reading (UK). Graduate with honours and scholarship holder from the Department of English Language and Literature of the Kapodistrian University of Athens. She is a certified Adult Educator by EOPPEP and holds a Diploma in Team & Leadership Coaching (CTLC).
Διδακτορικό δίπλωμα στην εκπαίδευση δημοσίων υπαλλήλων της ελληνικής δημόσιας διοίκησης στον τομέα της διδασκαλίας ξένων γλωσσών σε ενήλικες. Μεταπτυχιακές σπουδές στις Διεθνείς Σχέσεις από το Πανεπιστήμιο του Kent στο Canterbury (Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο) και στη Θεωρητική Γλωσσολογία από το Πανεπιστήμιο του Reading (Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο). Απόφοιτος με άριστα και κάτοχος υποτροφίας από το Τμήμα Αγγλικής Γλώσσας και Φιλολογίας του Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών. Είναι πιστοποιημένη Εκπαιδεύτρια Ενηλίκων από τον ΕΟΠΠΕΠ και κάτοχος Διπλώματος στο Team & Leadership Coaching (CTLC).
Her main research interests are: