SPRING REFLECTIONS ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

For the second consecutive year, the Malia Township sponsored a conference entitled “Spring Reflections,” which concerns the “the responsibility of local government for a viable growth.”

According to speakers at the two-day program, the local government in Greece constitutes the pedestal of democracy, as well as a preferential field of dialogue for political initiatives on the issues that affect the quality of life of local society.

It is a living cell that can, and should, correspond with society’s own self-sufficient role in the large and contemporary challenges that concern growth, environment, quality of life, youth and culture.

Participating in the congress were leaders of academia, local and district government, and community associations, as well as important members of the European Community.

The issues of the Congress specialized in the individual components of viable growth based on the characteristics of Malia Township.

They referred to land planning, waste and aquatic resources management, tourism and environment, the growth of local government organizations in the frames of new funding programs, energy management, and other timely issues.

Among the participating lecturers were: Dimitris Xenakis from Crete University, who spoke on “environment and politics;” Alexanthros Ikonomopoulos from Crete Polytechnic, who discussed “rational waste management / methodology and individual applications in Crete;” The environmental team of Malia High School on “water and tourism”; Malia Mayor Kostas Lagouthakis, who spoke on “methods of waste management,” and a host of other lectures touching on varied contemporary topics.

In addition, the Third Kindergarten of Malia put on a stage production with the theme of “education and renewable energy sources.”