As the birthplace of one of history’s greatest journeys, Ithaca became the symbolic setting for a major international dialogue on one of Europe’s most pressing modern challenges — demographic decline.
Held from May 6 to 8, the “Greece at Demographic Crossroads” conference brought together political leaders, scientists, medical experts, local government representatives and social advocates to discuss the future of Greece and Europe amid declining birth rates, ageing populations and regional depopulation.
Under the banner of the “ITHACA CONFERENCE – Ithaca as a Symbol of Return, Life and Continuity”, the event framed the demographic crisis not simply as a matter of statistics, but as a deeply human issue tied to continuity, identity and collective hope.
The conference was held under the auspices of the Republic of Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union and organised by the Hellenic Network of Small Islands, the Municipality of Ithaca, the Hellenic Intermunicipal Network of Healthy Cities, the World Hippocratic Institute of Physicians, the Hellenic Society of Reproductive Medicine and the General Secretariat for the Aegean and Island Policy.
Mayor of Ithaca Dionysis Stanitsas described the demographic crisis as a lived reality for small island communities, while Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to Athens Stavros Avgoustidis warned that the issue has evolved into a defining European challenge.
Screenshot
Leading academics and officials also addressed the broader social and economic implications of population decline, including healthcare access, fertility, youth migration and regional sustainability.
Among the keynote speakers were Minister of Labour Niki Kerameus, Deputy Minister of Health Marios Themistokleous, Deputy Minister of Social Cohesion and Family Elena Rapti and MP Pavlos Geroulanos.
One of the conference’s major outcomes was the announcement of the Ithaka Demographic Forum, a new initiative aiming to connect regions and countries facing similar demographic pressures and develop practical long-term solutions.
“Societies do not disappear when they grow old. They disappear when they cease to hope.”: With this profound sense of responsibility, Stavros Avgoustidis, Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to Athens, set the European tone of the conference, emphasizing that the demographic issue is no longer a regional social matter, but a crucial challenge for the very future of Europe itself.
“The small islands do not ask for pity. They ask for the right to continue breathing”: Dionysis Stanitsas, Mayor of Ithaca, opened the conference speaking with the voice of a man who knows well the loneliness of small places during winter. He spoke of the demographic crisis not as theory, but as everyday reality.
“Numbers often do not merely describe a reality. They foretell a loss”: Byron Kotzamanis, Professor and Director of the Institute for Demographic Research and Studies, presented with scientific clarity the dramatic image of the coming decades.
“Every island that empties is a memory of Greece fading away.” Lefteris Kehayioglou, President of the Hellenic Network of Small Islands, gave voice to the small islands of the Aegean and Ionian Seas that stand on the front line of demographic decline.
“Care must not reside only in major urban centers. It must reach wherever the heart of the region still beats”: Georgios Patoulis, President of the Hellenic Intermunicipal Network of Healthy Cities and the Athens Medical Association, spoke about the need to decentralize healthcare services and support local communities.
“Time does not only take away years. Sometimes it also takes away possibilities”: Konstantinos Pantos, General Secretary of the Hellenic Society of Reproductive Medicine, brought forward the silent dimension of fertility.
“Hope is born when societies decide not to remain silent”: Antonis Polydorou, General Secretary of the World Hippocratic Institute of Physicians, closed the conference conveying the message that Ithaca was not the end of a discussion, but the beginning of a European initiative. And thus, the Ithaka Demographic Forum was born. A new institution aspiring to transform the Ithacan experience into a bridge of cooperation among regions and countries facing the same demographic challenges.
“No society can exist without the strength of offering”: The presence of Erietta Kourkoulou-Latsi, Founder and President of the Kind Things Foundation, gave the event a deeply human dimension.
“Young people do not abandon a country only for economic reasons. They leave when they stop dreaming within it”: Niki Kerameus, Minister of Labour, spoke about the great challenge of bringing back young scientists who left abroad during the years of crisis.
“Development without people is silent prosperity.” Marios Themistokleous, Deputy Minister of Health, focused on the international dimension of the demographic problem.
“A country’s economy always begins with its people.” Thanos Petralias, Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance, highlighted the close relationship between demographic developments and economic sustainability.
“No institution can stand upright without social cohesion.” Vivi Charalambogianni, Deputy Minister of the Interior, spoke about the need for a modern public sector centered on people.
“Knowledge does not limit life. It gives it more time to blossom”: Elena Rapti, Deputy Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, emphasized the importance of awareness regarding fertility, motherhood and reproductive health.
“A child is not raised only by its parents. It is also raised by the embrace of society.” Pavlos Geroulanos, Member of Parliament and former Minister, spoke about solidarity and collective responsibility toward families and the younger generation.
Screenshot
“Europe is not tested only at its borders. It is tested in whether it can keep its societies alive”: MEPs Nikolaos Farantouris and Sakis Arnaoutoglou highlighted the demographic challenge as one of Europe’s greatest issues of our time.
“Sometimes personal stories contain within them the anxiety of an entire era… Particularly moving was the testimony of Dimitris Arkouzis from Ithaca, who spoke publicly about the difficult journey he and his wife endured in their effort to have a child. One of the major announcements was the creation of the Ithaka Demographic Forum, an institution originating from Ithaca with the goal of highlighting local and regional demographic issues, proposing practical solutions and transferring experience to other European countries facing similar challenges.
Apostoli-Mission with Clelia Charissis” did not merely document a conference in Ithaca. It documented a Greece still searching for the courage to give birth to its future once again. And within the light of this small Ionian island, perhaps the most essential reminder was born: That societies survive only when they continue believing in humanity.