The results of the Scientific Conference entitled “Getting to know the environment of Macedonia. Mountain, lowland, marine environment, protection and sustainability” at the Museum of Macedonian Struggle

The Scientific Conference entitled “Getting to know the environment of Macedonia. Mountain, plain, marine environment, protection and sustainability” was held with great success at the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle.

With a great attendance on both days of the confence, the scientific two-day event was held on the topic “Getting to know the environment of Macedonia. Mountain, plain, marine environment, protection and sustainability”, organised by the Aristotle Museum of Natural History of Thessaloniki (AMFITH), the Society of Friends of AMFITH “PANGAIA-THALASSA” and the Foundation of the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle and the Modern History of Macedonia (IMMA), in collaboration with the Geopark Grevena-Kozani, in the premises of the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle.

The scientific two-day event was an innovative initiative to promote ecological awareness and sustainable development that takes place for the first time in a historical museum, with the collaboration of academics and scientists from different agencies and university institutions in Greece.

The opening of the two-day conference took place in the packed hall “Alexandros Haitoglou” of the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle, on Friday, September 27, 2024. Greetings were addressed by the Deputy Regional Governor for Development and Environment of Central Macedonia, Mr. Efstathios Avramidis, the President of the Green Fund, Mr. Ioannis Androulakis, the Dean of the Faculty of Sciences of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Mr. Nikolaos Kantirakis, the President of IMMA, Mr. Nikolaos K. Margaropoulos and the President of the Society of Friends of AMFITH “PANGAIA-THALASSA”, Mr. Apostolos-Dimitrios Angelidis. The opening was also attended by the Deputy Governor of Culture and Sports of Central Macedonia, Mr. Christos Mittas and His Eminence Archimandrite Eusebius Nakopoulos, representative of the Holy Metropolitan of Thessaloniki, Mr. Filotheou. The first day included speeches focused on the description of the geological history, geodiversity and biodiversity of Macedonia, followed by a networking reception.

During the second day of work, topics related to the long-term evolution of Macedonia’s environment, the environmental problems it faces today, the pollution of the seas with an emphasis on the Thermaikos gulf, as well as the role of Geoparks and Museums in culture, education and the awareness of the citizens for the protection of the environment. The suggestions of the professors and researchers as well as the interdisciplinary approach of the subjects kept the interest of the participants undiminished. The two-day event concluded with the holding of two educational workshops on the subject of IMMA’s Environmental Education and Sustainability Educational Programs and Sustainability in Education.

The two-day conference was implemented with the financing of the Green Fund, within the framework of the “Natural environment and climate neutrality 2024” Financial Program in the AP. 1: “Protection of the natural environment – climate neutrality & other actions”.

All presentations have been recorded and will soon be posted on the IMMA website.

The Commemoration Events are held under the auspices of the Ministry of the Interior (Sector of Macedonia and Thrace).