The 1st World Conference “Smart Islands – Opportunities and Challenges” continued on Pserimos, Dodecanese, with undiminished interest and numerous proposals for transforming small remote islands into “smart” islands.
Speakers (local government officials, technologists, academics, experts, scientists, and local stakeholders) during the conference shared knowledge, experience, and technological innovations. They were informed about corresponding financial tools and built synergies to solve everyday problems of both the residents of Pserimos and other remote areas.
Focusing on energy autonomy, proper water management, waste processing, education, public health, transportation, etc., the speakers positioned themselves accordingly. The interventions by the mayors of Kalymnos, Giannis Mastrokoukos, and Astypalea, Nikos Komineas, were crucial regarding the feasibility of implementation. Notably, Law Professor Theofano Papazisi from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki raised concerns about “information and consent in medical practice” required due to the isolation and loneliness experienced by the elderly and the use of telemedicine. Mayor N. Komineas mentioned that in Astypalea, health centers are well-equipped and staffed, and “now three additional housing spaces for medical staff are being built.” He acknowledged that telemedicine is available every Friday for psychology specialties, but “not for any other specialty as there is no national reference field.” Mayor G. Mastrokoukos from Kalymnos noted that although Psérimos has a clinic with proper equipment, it lacks a doctor. “The position is covered by a soldier on a monthly contract, followed by a lengthy process for the appointment of a new soldier.”
Alexandra Papantonopoulou from the lighting company Sielight presented sustainable lighting solutions for smart islands, respecting the nocturnal landscape, with references to criteria for selecting lighting fixtures and control products that ensure the greatest possible long-term energy savings for municipalities and the long lifespan of lighting installations.
She also assured that the company would support the region’s lighting projects with its expertise.
On the issue of digital transformation, Michalis Platsis, the appointed municipal councilor for Digital Governance of Kalymnos Municipality, discussed leveraging opportunities provided by the transition of islands to the digital era through the use of new technologies and services that will mitigate problems caused by geographical isolation and inequalities in service delivery to citizens. “Opportunities include upgrading digital infrastructures, electronic governance, remote education and work, telemedicine, and enhancing tourism and local economies through innovative digital applications,” he emphasized.
Eva Papadaki, on behalf of HOPEgenesis and its president, Stefanos Chandakas, announced during the conference the organization’s commitment to fund the construction of an amphitheater in the school’s courtyard to promote the cultural development of the island.
It’s noted that the organization is a non-profit urban company founded in 2015, with the mission to combat low birth rates, support families, and find solutions to demographic issues in Greece. It operates in 450 remote areas, benefiting over 800 families in regions that for more than three to five years had either minimal to no births or a significant negative birth-death balance.
Interesting were also the positions of representatives from large expatriate organizations concerning the declining trajectory of schools, churches, and other traditional customs, while their ongoing interest in national issues and their prompt response to cover significant needs of the residents in their special homelands was highlighted.
The conference was organized by the International Hellenic Association (IXA) in collaboration with the Municipalities of Kalymnos, Vari – Voula – Vouliagmeni, and Kifisia, under the auspices of the Central Union of Municipalities of Greece (KEDE), and curated by the Deputy Mayor of Culture of Kalymnos, Kalliopi Koutouzi. The initiative aligns with the goal set by the European Union in 2018 to create the first 30 European islands, including six Greek ones, to achieve full energy autonomy by 2030.
The effort to rejuvenate Pserimos began three years earlier with significant support from the mayors of Kifisia, Vasilis Xypolytas, who spearheaded the school’s construction, and the mayor of Voula – Vari – Vouliagmeni, Grigoris Konstantellos. The latter in his statement described as “imperative” the need for the government to create appropriate tools for remote areas to develop and solve their everyday problems quickly and effectively, emphasizing “today, investments, projects, and policies for all island Greece are directed only at 4.6% of the country’s GDP, a ratio disproportionately low given the importance of these areas, which must change if we want to talk about a National Strategy for the Development of these areas.” Closing, and speaking in his capacity as the First Vice President of KEDE, Mr. Konstantellos mentioned the actions taken by KEDE in this direction while stressing the importance of the practical and necessary solidarity that robust municipalities must show towards small island and mountainous municipalities. He noted that in this context, his municipality has significantly contributed to the needs of Pserimos by providing necessary materials for enhancing civil protection on the island, thirty solar lighting units, and mobilizing the private sector to sponsor a tipper vehicle for waste collection and other tasks on the island.