Nikos Chrysogelos is an active Greek citizen in sustainable development, public and youth participation, intercultural dialogue and education for sustainability issues. His achievements range from organisation of international youth meetings to the realisation of exhibitions and videos on environment and ecological sustainability through intercultural dialogue. He is dedicated to promoting ecological and social sustainability, intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding, respect of human rights, youth and citizens participation in decision making, good neighbour relationships in East Mediterranean and fair cooperation in the framework of Euro-Mediterranean Partnership.

As the former President and Founder of the Mediterranean SOS Network, he has represented the Network in international networks, as its representative to UNEP/MAP and as a participant in the Euro-Mediterranean Institute of Intercultural Dialogue.

Highlights:

Creation of the Photo Exhibition ‘MEDITERRANEAN: OUR COMMON HOME’ (1999 – 2000). The exhibition comprises of six thematic units “WATER”, “LAND”, “COASTS”, “INHABITANTS (people and biodiversity)”, “THREATS” and “COEXISTENCE”, which presents the Mediterranean beauty, the cultural and natural richness but also the degradation of the natural environment, due to the human activities. To date, it has been exhibited in many Greek cities and islands as well as in Beirut. More than 60.000 citizens and pupils have visited and were guided through the exhibition.

International Youth Meeting “The Mediterranean, our Common Home” in Crete with the participation of 34 young volunteers from environmental, cultural and social organizations from Greece, Italy, Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt and Mediterranean migrants youth living in Germany. The meeting aimed at bringing together the participants' experience in dealing with environmental problems in the Mediterranean basin, as well as in promoting the issue of peaceful co-existence among the different cultures of the region. Mediterranean Our Common Home an audio-visual message for the protection of the natural and cultural diversity and richness of the Mediterranean and the peaceful coexistence between human societies - nature as well as between the different cultures in the area. www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1FsbBsxENM&feature=email 

Moreover, Nikos has initiated many international youth exchanges, meetings, projects since 1990 with Mediterranean SOS Network including the organisation of:

• International Youth Meeting METROPOLIS AND THE ENVIRONMENT (2000).
• International Youth Meeting MEDITERRANEAN YOUTH FOR SUSTAINABILITY (Greece) whose main objective was the establishment of common grounds of youth co-operation for the achievement of sustainability in the Mediterranean of the 21st century.
• Training of Trainers on Sustainability and Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation in co-operation with Mediterranean Youth Social Ecological Network (MARE).
• International Youth Meeting Sustainable Management of Natural Resources (Greece)
• International Youth Meeting Environment-Health-Solidarity-Sustainability
• Information and awareness-raising campaign for the Protection of the Sea and the Culture of Cyclades Islands (central Aegean region).
• International Itinerant youth exchange Green Jobs for Young People in Protected Areas (Greece, Italy, Cyprus).
• Youth Initiative for the Sustainability of North Evoikos - presentation of proposals for the preservation of traditional jobs and the creation of new ones which will aim on the protection of the environment and the sustainable development of the area
• The Natural Beauty Meets the Myth in the Coasts in the "Thrace/Aegean/Cyprus" programme
• Youth Initiative for the Sustainability of island Naxos
• Youth Actions Speak out: Time to Be a Critical Consumer
• International Youth Meeting RIO+10 & MED YOUTH. The youth Declaration “Med Youth and Sustainable Development” was distributed in Johannesburg during the World Summit for Sustainable Development (Johannesburg 2002).
• Sustainable Management of the Natura 2000 Protected Area in Sifnos Island with the support of the Ministry of Environment.
• Realisation of many volunteer summer eco-camps for young people and voluntary work since 2000.

For more information on Nikos Chrysogelos and his work, you can read his CV here.