A week with Environmental Educators on Skyros

In researching sustainable public policy in Mediterranean communities it is impossible not to come across the work of Dr. Constantina Skanavis. Over three decades of advocacy and research on the interconnection between public health and the environment, Dr. Skanavis has built a reputation as an expert on sustainable solutions in practice. She is the dean of Public Health at the University of West Attica, and one of the co-founders of the The Skyros Project. 

The Skyros Project is a collaboration between a port on the island of Skyros, and the University of West Attica. The port itself has adopted sustainable public policy, earning it the distinction as a "blue port." and the Best Port in Greece! In addition, Dr. Skanavis runs a summer Environmental Education Academy as part of a Masters Program. The participants are mostly educators and health professionals from across Greece who are interested in including environmental education in their day jobs. This is where I come in. To my great fortune, Dr. Skanavis was interested in helping me with my Fulbright project, agreed to be my advisor, and invited me to be a part of this year's Academy on Skyros.

Despite the fact that this was outside the timeline of my Fulbright award, this was an incredible opportunity to learn about environmental education in Greece from expert presenters gathered by Dr. Skanavis, and also to network with people across the country. And, did I mention Greek island?

I spent the first week in July this summer on Skyros as part of the Academy. It was an incredible experience, and the contacts I made will help me jump start my research. I met some incredible professionals thinking about new energy like hydrogen, building environmental programing in elementary, and secondary schools, and helping to transition cities as part of EU initiatives. 

Among the most interesting conversations I had was with the elected head of the award winning port on Skyros, who said that while climate change may or may not be happening, sustainable policies make sense because it's what customers want. The status of his port as a Blue Port is good for business, and good for the island economy of Skyros, dependent on tourism. These are the kinds of market based solutions that I think are valuable.

Thank you to Dr. Skanavis, and all the dedicated educators and health professionals I had the opportunity to meet. I'm looking forward to meeting you all again next year!