Schedule
Visit to Greece, 9-15 June, 2008. Cornell Mediterranean Water Group
Together with Panayiotis Nektarios of the Athens Agricultural University we are planning a trip to Greece in June. The events are co-sponsored by the Greek Ministry of Tourism, The Eugenides Foundation, The Agricultural University of Athens, the Mayor and Municipality of Neapolis, Crete. Among the Greek participants are members of the Academy, the head of the World Wildlife Federation in Greece, representatives of the media, academics, local environmental activists, and representatives of local government.
Together with Panayiotis Nektarios of the Athens Agricultural University we are planning a trip to Greece in June. The events are co-sponsored by the Greek Ministry of Tourism, The Eugenides Foundation, The Agricultural University of Athens, the Mayor and Municipality of Neapolis, Crete. Among the Greek participants are members of the Academy, the head of the World Wildlife Federation in Greece, representatives of the media, academics, local environmental activists, and representatives of local government.
- Prof.Gail Holst-Warhaft, Director, Mediterranean Initiative, Cornell Institute for European Studies,
- Prof. Tammo Steenhuis, Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell
- Prof. Rony Wallach (Agiculture, Food and Environmental Quality Science, Hebrew University, Israel)
- Prof. Ellen Graber (Institute of Soil, Water, and Environmental Sciences, Volcani Center, Israel)
- Prof. Zeynep Zaimoglu (Cukurova University, Turkey)
- Itir Begen (Turkey)
- Prof. John Nieber (U.of Minnesota, USA)
- Eriberto Eulisse (Director, Civita dell’Acqua, Venice, Italy)
Monday, June 9
Athens: Arrival of group from Cornell and Mediterranean scientists. 6pm. Informal gathering at hotel to prepare and plan final details of visit. Dinner
Tuesday, June 10
Departure 08.20 from Athens for Herakleion, Crete.
The Mayor of Neapolis will be our host for a 2-day visit to the drought affected region of Eastern Crete. He will also host a dinner with traditional Cretan music.
Wednesday, June 11
Morning visit to the Ieraptera region, the Bramianon Gorge and hothouses.
2.30pm-9pm. A Conference-Workshop will take place with local participants.
2.30pm-9pm. A Conference-Workshop will take place with local participants.
Thursday, June 12
Departure, 8.30 a.m. for Sitia-Bai-Toplou. Lunch at Sitia.
9pm departure from Herakleion.
10.30pm. Arrival in Athens.
9pm departure from Herakleion.
10.30pm. Arrival in Athens.
Friday, June 13
Day trip to Oinofyta, where industrial pollution of the river is a major problem.
where industrial pollution of the river is a major problem.
The aim is to be made aware of the actual problem which is the pollution of the aquifer by industries that dump all the pollutants in a river that ends in the sea. An obstacle to solving the problem is that in 1975 the river was officially ASSIGNED as the dumping point for the industrial area. Now six-valent Cr (among other things) is widespread in the area and people drinking the water. Our ambition is to create a link through a funded research project with the international scientific community represented by Cornell and other universities in conjunction with the local authorities who are still debating whether the levels of Cr are sufficiently high to produce cancer.
Saturday, June 14
Day Trip to Nauplion: Conference in conjunction with the Hellenic Society for the Protection of the Architectural Heritage and Environment.
10 a.m.-5pm Conference-Workshop with local politicians, representatives of the press, members of the Geological Survey Institute, scientists, representatives from the local societies and the Ministry of Agriculture to discuss problems of agricultural pollution in the area. Concert.
Evening: Return to Athens
10 a.m.-5pm Conference-Workshop with local politicians, representatives of the press, members of the Geological Survey Institute, scientists, representatives from the local societies and the Ministry of Agriculture to discuss problems of agricultural pollution in the area. Concert.
Evening: Return to Athens
Sunday, June 15
Athens: Evgenidion Planetarium Round Table and Concert
5-8 pm. Round-table and Press Conference. This will be attended by foreign delegates, representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, local scientists and environmental activists.
The broad aim of this meeting is to raise awareness in the Greek public about the severity of water problems in Greece to initiate a funded movement of collaboration on water issues between Cornell’s Mediterranean Water Project, other Mediterranean partners, and Greek institutions including the government.
9 pm: Concert by Mariza Koch with her musicians. Ms. Koch will present a program of traditional Greek songs about water.
5-8 pm. Round-table and Press Conference. This will be attended by foreign delegates, representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, local scientists and environmental activists.
The broad aim of this meeting is to raise awareness in the Greek public about the severity of water problems in Greece to initiate a funded movement of collaboration on water issues between Cornell’s Mediterranean Water Project, other Mediterranean partners, and Greek institutions including the government.
9 pm: Concert by Mariza Koch with her musicians. Ms. Koch will present a program of traditional Greek songs about water.
Detailed Program of Cretan Conference
Neapolis, Crete, Tuesday 10th, Wednesday 11th & Thursday 12th June.
“Water, Life, and Culture in Crete and the Mediterranean”
“Water, Life, and Culture in Crete and the Mediterranean”
Sponsored by
The Greek Ministry of Tourism
The Agricultural University of Athens
Cornell University: Institute for European Studies
General Secretariat of the Region of Crete-Water Board
Center for Greek Folklore Research, Academy of Athens
TEDK Lasithi
National Center for Wetland Habitat.
Center for Research and Promotion of Cretan Culture, Neapolis.
The Greek Ministry of Tourism
The Agricultural University of Athens
Cornell University: Institute for European Studies
General Secretariat of the Region of Crete-Water Board
Center for Greek Folklore Research, Academy of Athens
TEDK Lasithi
National Center for Wetland Habitat.
Center for Research and Promotion of Cretan Culture, Neapolis.
Tuesday, June 10
12.20. Departure for Neapolis. Visit to North Merabello, reservoirs of Saint Sophia, Skoteini, Alykes Elountas.
18.0. Reception and welcome by Mayor Nikos Kastrinakis.
19.00 -19.00 First panel: “The Present and Future State of Water in Crete.”
Speakers: Dr. Iraklis Bouloukakis, Geologist. Director, Director of Water Resources Cretan Region, Marinos Kritsotakis, Geologist. Water Board, Cretan Region, Dr Angeliki Martinou, Chemical Engineer, Cretan Region.
19.20-1940 Second presentation: “Water, Cretan and Mediterranean Folklore: A First Approach.”
Dr. Ekaterini Kamilaki, Director, Center for Greek Folklore Research.
19.40-20. Third Presentation. “The Importance of Wetland Resources in the Aegean Archipelago.”
Kaloust Paragamian. Scientific Director of WWF Greece’s Project “Protection of the Aegan Island Wetlands.”
20.20.20. Fourth Presentation: “Greek Treasures: Water and the Elgin Marbles.”
Prof. Gail Holst-Warhaft, Cornell University, Director, Mediterranean Initiative.
20.20-21.00. Discussion.
21.00. Concert: “Water and Song”
Mariza Koch and her ensemble present a program of traditional Greek songs about water in the courtyard of the old Neapolis High School.(sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism).
18.0. Reception and welcome by Mayor Nikos Kastrinakis.
19.00 -19.00 First panel: “The Present and Future State of Water in Crete.”
Speakers: Dr. Iraklis Bouloukakis, Geologist. Director, Director of Water Resources Cretan Region, Marinos Kritsotakis, Geologist. Water Board, Cretan Region, Dr Angeliki Martinou, Chemical Engineer, Cretan Region.
19.20-1940 Second presentation: “Water, Cretan and Mediterranean Folklore: A First Approach.”
Dr. Ekaterini Kamilaki, Director, Center for Greek Folklore Research.
19.40-20. Third Presentation. “The Importance of Wetland Resources in the Aegean Archipelago.”
Kaloust Paragamian. Scientific Director of WWF Greece’s Project “Protection of the Aegan Island Wetlands.”
20.20.20. Fourth Presentation: “Greek Treasures: Water and the Elgin Marbles.”
Prof. Gail Holst-Warhaft, Cornell University, Director, Mediterranean Initiative.
20.20-21.00. Discussion.
21.00. Concert: “Water and Song”
Mariza Koch and her ensemble present a program of traditional Greek songs about water in the courtyard of the old Neapolis High School.(sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism).
Wednesday, June 11 (morning)
10-10.20 First presentation. “Water Management in Greece.”
Representative of EKBI
10.20-11.00 Second presentation: “Water Resource Quality and Contamination Issues in Israel.”
Prof. Ellen Graber, Institute of Soil, Water, and Environmental Sciences, Volcani Center Agricultural Research Organization.
10.40-11.00. Third presentation: “Issues of Water Resource Management in Israel.”
Prof. Rony Wallach, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Dept. of Soil and Water Sciences.
11.00-11.20. Fourth presentation: “Water Resources Planning and Development in Turkey.”
Dr. Zeynep Zaimoglu, Environmental Engineering, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey.
11.20-11.40. Fifth presentation: “Watershed Management in the Mediterranean Basin: Past and Future.”
Prof. Tammo Steenhuis, Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell.
11.40-12.00 . Sixth presentation: “Quantification of Water Resources Sustainability.”
Prof. John Nieber, Dept. of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota.
Representative of EKBI
10.20-11.00 Second presentation: “Water Resource Quality and Contamination Issues in Israel.”
Prof. Ellen Graber, Institute of Soil, Water, and Environmental Sciences, Volcani Center Agricultural Research Organization.
10.40-11.00. Third presentation: “Issues of Water Resource Management in Israel.”
Prof. Rony Wallach, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Dept. of Soil and Water Sciences.
11.00-11.20. Fourth presentation: “Water Resources Planning and Development in Turkey.”
Dr. Zeynep Zaimoglu, Environmental Engineering, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey.
11.20-11.40. Fifth presentation: “Watershed Management in the Mediterranean Basin: Past and Future.”
Prof. Tammo Steenhuis, Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell.
11.40-12.00 . Sixth presentation: “Quantification of Water Resources Sustainability.”
Prof. John Nieber, Dept. of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota.
Afternoon Program
Chairs: Dr. Christos Zerefos, Climatologist, Director, Athens Observatory, and Gail Holst-Warhaft.
18.00-18.20. First presentation: “The Contamination of Water in Crete.”
Prof. Nikos Nikolaides, Polytechnic University of Crete.
18.20-18.40. Second Presentation: “Water Conservation Measures and the Avoidance of Water Pollution by Sports Facilities.”
Assistant Prof. Panayiotis Nektarios, Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Agricultural University of Athens.
18.40-19.00. “Water and Stockbreeding.”
Vangelis Karamanes, Researcher at the Center for Greek Folklore.
19.00-19.30. Discussion.
1930-21.00. Conclusions and suggestions.
18.00-18.20. First presentation: “The Contamination of Water in Crete.”
Prof. Nikos Nikolaides, Polytechnic University of Crete.
18.20-18.40. Second Presentation: “Water Conservation Measures and the Avoidance of Water Pollution by Sports Facilities.”
Assistant Prof. Panayiotis Nektarios, Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Agricultural University of Athens.
18.40-19.00. “Water and Stockbreeding.”
Vangelis Karamanes, Researcher at the Center for Greek Folklore.
19.00-19.30. Discussion.
1930-21.00. Conclusions and suggestions.
Thursday, June 12
08.30. Departure for visit to Sitia- Vai, Moni Toplou.
Local Sponsors:
Yiannis Tsakaris
Zaros, Rouva, Lyttos water (Cava Vassilakis)
Media Sponsors
Crete TV, Skai, ET3
Local Sponsors:
Yiannis Tsakaris
Zaros, Rouva, Lyttos water (Cava Vassilakis)
Media Sponsors
Crete TV, Skai, ET3