Ioannis Capodistrias City Network founding charter signed

(Central Corfu Municipality) The founding charter of the Ioannis Capodistrias City Network was signed on Wednesday, May 21 in a place of high symbolic significance in Corfu, where the Tomb of the First Governor of Modern Greece is located—at the Theotokos Monastery Platytera.

The Ioannis Capodistrias City Network was established in February 2007, during the mayoral term of Sotiris Mikalef, with the aim of highlighting the historical figure of the Governor and the influence his ideas and actions had on 19th-century Europe, as well as his legacy in the formation of the Modern Greek State in the broader context of the emergence of nation-states during that era.

Institutionally, the Network had until now existed in an informal capacity, functioning as a voluntary collaboration among municipalities without an official organisational structure or internal governance. However, the experience gained through the Network’s activities underscored the need for formal institutionalisation, which has now been achieved through its transformation into a legal entity under the form of a Non-Profit Civil Company.

The founding members are:

• The Municipality of Central Corfu & Diapontia Islands (Presidency 2024–2025), represented by Mayor Stefanos Poulimenos, the President of the Municipal Council and Network Representative for the Municipality, Xenofon Alamanos, and the Deputy Mayor for Culture, Kostas Vousolinos.

• The Municipality of Aegina, represented by Mayor Yiannis Zorbas and the Network Representative for Aegina, Giorgos Tsatiris.

• The Municipality of Nafplio, represented by Mayor Dimitrios Orfanos.

• The Municipality of Famagusta, Cyprus, represented by Mayor Dr. Simos Ioannou and with the presence of the Administrative Secretary of the Municipality, Marilena Manoli.

The General Assembly of the founding members, which preceded the signing of the charter, decided to designate the Municipality of Central Corfu and Diapontia Islands as the Headquarters of the Organisation, specifically the Urban Monastery of Agia Ekaterini municipal building.

An Academic Committee of the Organisation was also formed, consisting of 5 to 7 individuals with specialised knowledge and engagement with the life and legacy of the Governor, led by Professor Emeritus Nikos Karapidakis of the Ionian University. Its mission is to provide advice and opinions on any matters that support the realisation of the Network’s goals.

Purpose

The institutional organisation of the Company aims to foster productive cooperation among its members in the cultural, social, and economic sectors through a broad exchange and circulation of human resources, tools, information, ideas, and concrete actions. These efforts seek to promote knowledge about the personality, work, and values of Ioannis Capodistrias within Greece, Europe, and internationally.

The organisation will also be able to leverage programmes and develop partnerships—mainly in the European sphere—while also participating in international competitions and forums.

Expansion

Members of the Ioannis Capodistrias City Network have prioritised its expansion, initially by including the cities of Koper (Slovenia) and Lausanne (Switzerland), which previously participated in the informal collaboration of municipalities.

The organisation's charter also provides for the possibility of participation by institutions, organisations, or bodies historically associated with Ioannis Capodistrias and his work, provided they can contribute to fulfilling the Network's objectives.

The ceremony concluded with a small artistic programme featuring works by Ionian composers, performed by the Corfu Choir conducted by Dimitra Kalogeropoulou.

Photo: Central Corfu and Diapontia Islands Municipality