Foundation in Corfu of the Network of Citizens of Mediterranean Historical Towns
Ionian Parliament
21 Oct 2018
/ 06:51
CORFU. The constitution was signed yesterday at the Ionian Parliament.
A new cooperative citizens' network was founded yesterday in Corfu Town with organizations from six historical towns. A coming together of people without political affiliations, residents of towns who share their past and their culture and live in and from that - who have similar experiences, concerns and visions.
The constitution was signed by San Giacomo Cultural Society from Corfu, Associazione 25 Aprille from Venice, SRD je Grad from Dubrovnik, RICHes from Rhodes, exARTIS from Paphos and Regno di Candia from Crete. The six organizations agreed on a common plan of action on sustainability based on the three pillars of people, economy and environment.
The preliminary meeting was held in Venice last April. At that meeting there was a shared concern about present and future sustainability of the towns in which we live. Examples of the non-sustainability and destabilization of our historic towns are phenomena such as the steady decrease in population, over-tourism, the high cost of living etc.
Despite points in common in their past and present, the extent of the problems in each town is different. Venice, for example, has been suffering from the problem of over-tourism for several years and the Associazione 25 Aprille organization, which has 2,300 members, is well-known for its radical activities. Corfu, a smaller-scale Venice, is on the threshold of the problem of over-tourism and for this reason the San Giacomo Society is focussing on the UNESCO plan for sustainability.
The members of San Giacomo Society say: "The purpose of this new network is not just another movement focussing on protests and demands. It aims to fulfil a role that is more complex and penetrative and become a valuable participant in the official dialogue between citizens and International Organizations, European Bodies and Local and Central Authorities."
Following the signing of the constitution there was a good-spirited 'family' get-together in a cafe in the open-air market with a surprise appearance of the San Giacomo Choir which delighted the guests and locals.
The constitution was signed by San Giacomo Cultural Society from Corfu, Associazione 25 Aprille from Venice, SRD je Grad from Dubrovnik, RICHes from Rhodes, exARTIS from Paphos and Regno di Candia from Crete. The six organizations agreed on a common plan of action on sustainability based on the three pillars of people, economy and environment.
The preliminary meeting was held in Venice last April. At that meeting there was a shared concern about present and future sustainability of the towns in which we live. Examples of the non-sustainability and destabilization of our historic towns are phenomena such as the steady decrease in population, over-tourism, the high cost of living etc.
Despite points in common in their past and present, the extent of the problems in each town is different. Venice, for example, has been suffering from the problem of over-tourism for several years and the Associazione 25 Aprille organization, which has 2,300 members, is well-known for its radical activities. Corfu, a smaller-scale Venice, is on the threshold of the problem of over-tourism and for this reason the San Giacomo Society is focussing on the UNESCO plan for sustainability.
The members of San Giacomo Society say: "The purpose of this new network is not just another movement focussing on protests and demands. It aims to fulfil a role that is more complex and penetrative and become a valuable participant in the official dialogue between citizens and International Organizations, European Bodies and Local and Central Authorities."
Following the signing of the constitution there was a good-spirited 'family' get-together in a cafe in the open-air market with a surprise appearance of the San Giacomo Choir which delighted the guests and locals.
