The LamiaReport Journalism Organization and the Hellenic Institute for Entrepreneurship & Sustainable Development (IEA) are organizing, with the honorary cooperation of the Holy Metropolis of Phthiotis and the support of the Region of Central Greece and the Municipality of Lamia, the Strategic Conference:

THERMOPYLAE FORUM 2023

Society and Culture at the Center of Regional Development

Saturday, March 11, 2023, Thermopylae Innovative Historical Information Center, Hours 10:00 – 17:00

Thermopylae is one of the most important landmarks for Hellenism and the whole of Europe, a symbol of the timeless value of the ancient Greek spirit in the formation of European and, in general, Western Civilization.

The great battle of Thermopylae, in 480 BC and the heroic resistance of the Greeks was decisive in the victorious outcome of the Persian wars.

Thanks to it, Greek Civilization and Athenian Democracy were established, free intellect flourished, sciences and arts developed. The values ​​of democracy, freedom, cooperation and solidarity were highlighted and all the achievements of Western civilization were shaped, which are firmly governed by freedom of thought and faith in the inexhaustible potential of man.

The Sacrifice and the Epic of Leonidas and the Greeks at Thermopylae not only go far beyond the borders of Greece, but also remind, in every direction, where the cradle and the cradle of Freedom and the foundations of modern Democracy are located.

They constitute the central crossroads, where the struggle and sacrifice for Freedom and Democracy sealed classical and modern thought throughout time, shaping a Social Contract, with respect for man and the dissemination of ideas.

This Contract leads to a correlation and parallel course of all those essential parameters, which forge the modern ethical basis of humanistic reality, advocating the multicultural approach, with the right to free expression of speech and respect for diversity.

Respect and the defining position of the modern woman, business Democracy, the right to knowledge and education, the opposition of free thought against authoritarianism and despotism and at the same time the analysis of the defining and structural factors shaping free will itself, constitute the dominant perspective of the main theme of the Conference.

Today, 2500 years later, the historical archetype of Thermopylae extends to all aspects of life, as a measure of evaluation and a criterion of meaning for the entire spectrum of behaviors that this expansion includes.

Drawing inspiration from and serving the timeless values ​​of the cultural model of Thermopylae and in the light of modern developments, the Conference discusses how research, innovation, new technologies and existing infrastructures will serve as a springboard for strengthening a new economic model, with application to the development of services, agricultural and industrial production.

Its purpose is, through the analysis of the existing world order and new geopolitical data, to explore the way in which international trends and balances are decisive factors in determining the social system, in terms of the commitment to comply with all the requirements of the State and Local Government towards the Citizen.

The organization aims to record the existing investment framework in the region of Central Greece and aspires to be a think tank for highlighting the institutional role of the Central Administration and Local Government.

The country’s effort and the emerging successful results in dealing with the energy crisis and the pandemic pose a serious candidacy for establishing Greece as a safe destination, both in the tourism sector and in the general investment sector, with the aim of increasing the inflow of investment capital for Greek businesses.

Understanding the complex relationships and interdependencies of the energy sector with agricultural and tourist development, manufacturing and heavy industry, will lead to critical conclusions for the proposed design and implementation of policies to upgrade the entire productive Value Chain, for the Region of Central Greece.

Thermopylae: of Culture..!!

Within the thematic framework, discussions and parallel actions will be developed regarding the enormous historical burden of the region: from the Battle of Thermopylae, the epics of Alamana and Grogopotamos, from the path and springs of Achilles, to the early Christian mosaics and the Saints of Hypatia and all the current sights and cultural monuments.

Particular importance is given to the special axis of the economic implications and investment value of the cultural reserve, with applications and impacts on tourism, higher education, the development of volunteerism and academic research.

of Health and Well-being..!!

The study regarding the further exploitation of natural thermal springs and resources constitutes a special thematic unit, with emphasis not only on the scientific approach, but also on the formation of a modern lifestyle through the market, everyday life, fashion, arts, intellect, etc.

of Sustainable Development..!!

Climate change and crisis, energy reserves, bioclimatic buildings, renewable energy sources, thermal springs, biodiversity, compose the conceptual discussion, while investments in: wind farms, fish farms, waste management, recycling systems, modern organic farming, electromobility, interconnect the policies for the protection of forests, fauna and flora.

The Conference is a collaboration between Market actors and Institutional Bodies of Central Greece, for the creation of a new Social Model of Entrepreneurship, with the main characteristic of a smooth transition to stability and economic growth.

Representatives of the Government, Local Government, Chambers, important business groups and high-ranking market executives have been invited as speakers.

Thematic Sections

The theme of the Conference is determined by the discussion of all those topical issues with a local character, within the framework of strengthening the effort of citizens to cope with the ever-increasing demands of everyday life. More specifically:

• The historical and cultural heritage of the spatio-temporal toponym of Thermopylae, with a focus on the position of Greece within the chessboard of geopolitical developments.
• Smart cities, with the contribution of the Central Administration, Local Government and Chambers of Commerce to the development of the economy and the improvement of the quality of life of citizens.
• The evolutionary transformation of the Agri-Food Sector and in particular of Producers, Cooperatives and the Industry of the sector, with applications throughout the production chain, up to the final consumer.
• The analysis of the main parameters that determine the main body of the national economic subsystems: Shipping, Transport, Tourism. Investments in infrastructure (ports, airports, large construction and irrigation projects, roads, mines) and human resource development.
• The standardization – certification, reinforcement and promotion, as Brands, of Local Products, as well as of points-destinations of Tourist interest (Spa, Religious, Sports, Resort, Thermal, etc.).
• The contribution of soft forms of energy and “clean” fuels (electricity, geothermal energy, natural gas-CNG, Hydrogen, etc.), as catalysts for heating citizens, reducing production costs, but also as proposed solutions in the form of parallel investment (cooperative wind & photovoltaic parks).
• The reduction of costs and the increase in the competitiveness of Greek products, while exploiting mineral and water resources.
• Bank financing through European programs, funding, for the supply of equipment (agricultural machinery, industrial units, etc.).
• The new telecommunications map of the country, with the use of telematics and new technologies.
• The development of Greek Industry, as well as the financing of new innovative products and services.
• The event concludes with a reception in honor of the representatives of the Government and political spaces, the representatives of the Local Government and the Chambers, the sponsors, the speakers and the distinguished guests.

The Conference is implemented with the executive management of Cultcom Conferences, based on the certified quality and sustainable event management standards, ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 20121. It is a hybrid development in the field of events, as it combines the physical presence of the conference participants with the interactive, digital monitoring of the remote participants.

Information – Participations:
Christiana Arvanitaki, mob. 694 300 1003.
Dimitris Neofotistos, mob. 698 456 0000, tel. 210 5121021 e-mail: iea@iea.org.gr

Special note

With the aim of ensuring the safe and sanitary coverage of the event and the protection of the participants, the organizers have planned all the planned actions and management, such as: the presence of a doctor, disinfection of the space, provision of protective equipment (masks, disinfectants, gloves, etc.), maintaining social distancing (proportional participation based on square meters), elevator management, etc.

For participation in person, personal invitations will be sent by the organizers. The event is characterized by strict adherence to health protocols and requires the presentation of relevant personal documents regarding the identification and health status of the guests, with criteria for protection from covid 19.