Hybrid University of Asterousia 2022
The start of the Hybrid University of Asterousia 2022 took place on Monday, September 12, 2022 with the central theme of Marine Literacy in Biosphere Reserves and other Protected Areas. The main objectives of this University were to inform the participants with knowledge, skills and methodology for the effective development and implementation of Marine Literacy especially in Biosphere Reserves, with an emphasis on the Asterousia Biosphere Reserve. of Marine Registration which concerns the awareness of local communities and other interested parties regarding marine problems and perspectives but also the promotion of Sustainable Development in and around the Biosphere Reserves. The First Phase gave the opportunity to a relatively small number of educated people (from Crete and Parnon) to be informed in depth about Marine Literacy which is a central activity of the United Nations Decade for the Oceans (2021-2030) but also in philosophy of Biosphere Reserves through lectures, field visits and interventions by a series of speakers, executives of MIO-ECSDE, ELKETHE and the Museum of Natural History. The Hybrid Universities are part of a long tradition of Summer Universities organized since 2012 by the Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development (MIO-ECSDè), the UNESCO Regional Office for Science and Culture in Europe (Venice Office ) as well as the respective local agencies and partners. The Asterousia Hybrid University 2022 was organized by the Asterousia Local Management Committee, the UNESCO Regional Office for Science and Culture in Europe and the Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development (MIO-ECSDE) with the support of the Region of Crete, Development agency of Heraklion, the Association for the Protection of Asterousia mountain, the Hellenic National Committee of the MAB/UNESCO Man and Biosphere Program, the UNESCO Chair & Network for Management and Education for Sustainable Development in the Mediterranean at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (EKPA), of Mediterranean Education Initiative for the Environment and Sustainability (MEdIES), the University of Crete, the CretAquarium, the Hellenic Marine Research Center of Crete (ELKETHE) and the Natural History Museum of Crete (MFIK). The work of the 1st Phase of the Hybrid University of Asterousia 2022 started from the Kapetaniana of Asterousia (with presenters: Michael Skoullos, President of the Greek National Committee Man and Biosphere MAB/UNESCO, MIO-ECSDE, Director of the EKPA Headquarters & Network, Theano Vrentzou – Skordalakis, President of the Local Asterousia Management Committee – TEDA, President of the Asterousia Protection Association, Vassilis Psallidas, Eftychia Korkidis and Haris Paliogiannis, MIO-ECSDE and MEdIES officials and Markos Skordalakis with a tour of the traditional settlement and the Traditional Guest Houses and model farm THALORI) and continued with information and awareness raising of the public/organizers of the Municipality of Phaistos (co-organization of the Association for the Protection of Asterousia and the Development of Heraklion), the work continued with lectures at ELKETHE (with speakers: Professor Michael Skoullos, Konstantinos Mylonas, Director of ITHAVBYK, Giolanda Koulouris, Kyria Researcher ELKETHE, Costa Douna, Former Director of Research ELKETHE, Founder and Member of the ELKETHE spin-off, Eva Hatzinikolaou, ELKETHE Postdoctoral Researcher, and Tasso Eleftheriou, Professor Emeritus of the University of Crete and partner of ELKETHE) and a guided tour of the Crete Aquarium (CRETAquarium) and were completed on Wednesday, September 14 in the Amphitheater of the Museum of Natural History of Crete (with lecturers: Professor Michael Scoullos, Michalis Promonas, Head of the Laboratory of Ecology and Environmental Management, MFIK, Laboratory Teaching Staff (EDIP) of the University of Crete, Mich. Dretaki, Research Laboratory of Ecology and Environmental Management, MFIK and Thomais Vlachogianni, Program & Policy Manager, (BSc, MSc, PhD) Environmental Chemist, Ecotoxicologist) followed by a tour of MFIK and the awarding of indicative attendance certificates to the participants.
The main thematic areas of this year’s University were:
Familiarity with current threats to marine and coastal ecosystems and possible ways to combat them.
Highlighting the value of the oceans in the context of Goal 14 – Life below water – of the UN and the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
Familiarity with Maritime Literacy and how it can be applied in various settings. Ways and good practices to integrate Maritime Certification in the field of work of the various participants.
Discussion of challenges and opportunities for the implementation of Marine Literacy in practice, and in particular in Biosphere Reserves (Biosphere Reserves).
Suggestions for improving communication about marine ecosystems through formal and non-formal learning processes.
Planning projects/initiatives, especially in MAB, with their participants. These activities were videotaped and parts of them will enrich the online-distance Phase II of the Hybrid University that will be held at the end of 2022.
On the occasion of the work, there was a renewal of the commitment of the Region of Crete to continue and strengthen the operation of the Hybrid University of Asterousia as expressed by Mr. Stavros Arnautakis, Regional Governor of Heraklion of Crete, Prof. Michael Scoullos, President of the Greek National Committee Man and Biosphere (MAB/UNESCO), Head of the UNESCO Chair & Network for Management and Education for Sustainable Development in the Mediterranean, of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (EKPA) and Ms. Theano Vrentzou – Skordalakis, President of the Local Asterousia Management Committee (TEDA)in a work meeting on Tuesday, September 13 at the office of the Regional Governor.
