An event organized by Initiative 21 took place on Monday (October 20) at the Athens Concert Hall, where an overview was presented of the actions implemented over the past three years regarding the climate crisis and the environment.

The next cycle of actions for the years 2026–2028 was also announced, focusing on the creation of a National Center—a Model Center for Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.

Among those present at the event were the Vice President of the Government, Kostis Hatzidakis; the Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament, Nikitas Kaklamanis; the Ministers of Health, Adonis Georgiadis, and Tourism, Olga Kefalogianni; the Alternate Minister of Health, Irini Agapidaki; Deputy Ministers of Health Dimitrios Vartzopoulos and Marios Themistokleous; former President of the Republic, Prokopis Pavlopoulos; former Deputy Prime Minister, Evangelos Venizelos; Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Athanasios Bouras; Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, General Dimitrios Choupis; the Deputy Chief of the Fire Service; a representative of His Beatitude, the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece; the Metropolitans of Mesogaia and Lavreotiki, Nikolaos; Nea Ionia, Philadelphia, Heraklion, and Chalkidona, Gabriel; and Peristeri, Grigorios; as well as Members of Parliament and Members of the European Parliament, former ministers, representatives of the Attica Region, mayors, rectors, academics, and representatives of civil society. Presidents of the member organizations of Initiative 21 were also in attendance.

Activity Review “Climate Crisis and Environment” | Actions 2022–2025

Greetings were delivered by the Vice President of the Government, Kostis Hatzidakis, and on behalf of Initiative 21, by the President of the Onassis Foundation, Antonis Papadimitriou; the President of the Athanasios K. Laskaridis Public Benefit Foundation, Evi Lazou-Laskaridi; and the Advisor to the National Bank of Greece and Coordinator of Initiative 21, Ioannis Manos.

In his address, the Vice President of the Government praised the work of the Initiative, noting, among other things, that “its formation constitutes a shining example of unity and productive cooperation,” emphasizing that “for the first time, the country’s leading public benefit foundations have joined forces, united by a common vision, shared values, and a shared goal: to contribute to society and the progress of our homeland.”

He further stressed: “This unity is not merely symbolic. It creates synergies, multiplies resources, and enables large-scale actions that go beyond the limits of any single foundation.”

The Vice President also referred to government policy concerning the fight against the climate crisis and environmental protection, as well as issues of Public Health—particularly mental health—and presented the Government’s relevant initiatives. He also announced that a modern institutional framework for public benefit foundations will soon be introduced, with the relevant bill to be put to public consultation by the Ministry of National Economy and Finance.

Closing Remarks

The President of the Onassis Foundation, Antonis Papadimitriou, referred in his greeting to the character of Initiative 21 as a movement of active citizens, noting that it represents the Members’ effort “to create a kind of amphictyony,” emphasizing that “each foundation retains its full autonomy and continues its work as before. However, we have found that, for the common good, we can and want to work together—not merely to add up our efforts, but to multiply them.”

In her address, the President of the Athanasios K. Laskaridis Public Benefit Foundation, Evi Lazou-Laskaridi, noted: “In its first phase, our Initiative brought us together around History — and national memory. In its second, which concludes today, we turned to an issue of global significance: climate change and its multiple consequences for our environment, our health, our economy, and our culture.”

Looking ahead to future interventions, she added: “Initiative 21 does not end here; it continues to evolve, to transform, and to respond to the issues of our time — with the same purpose: to unite forces for the common good.”

The Advisor to the National Bank of Greece and Coordinator of Initiative 21, Ioannis Manos, emphasized that “with this momentum generated by our eight-year journey so far, we are now moving forward to our third thematic phase.”

He specifically referred to the impacts of the climate crisis on public health and the diseases it causes, directly or indirectly, foremost among them dementia and its various manifestations, such as Alzheimer’s disease. “The increase in life expectancy intensifies this issue and creates the need for a holistic approach that could help transform the landscape of dementia care in our country.”

During the past year, the Initiative commissioned specialized studies from CMT Prooptiki, which will also undertake the project management of this endeavor.

This concerns the creation of a National Center—a Model Center for Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. The Center will serve both as a care facility and as a hub for innovation, research, education, social awareness, and the promotion of volunteerism and solidarity.

The Center will have the following key components:

• Day Care Unit: Providing services for a large number of patients, including cognitive stimulation, art therapy, music therapy, physical exercise, recreational activities, and home interventions.
• Memory Clinic: For neuropsychological and functional assessment, prevention, and diagnosis.
• Counseling and Telemedicine Support: In collaboration with the National Telemedicine System and Aiginiteio Hospital.
• Training Unit: Developing comprehensive programs for healthcare professionals, caregivers, and families, using the most modern online technological and educational methods.

The Center will be located in the Western suburbs of Athens, where such needs are pressing, and will be housed in a facility developed by the Metropolis of Peristeri.