Interview to the newspaper Attikos Paratiritis

March – April, 2012

Issue no: 101, Pages:  1, 18, 19

Interview to Aggelos Fragkopoulos

[Translation, Page: 1]

[Picture of Despina Afentouli]

The Regional Councilor of Eastern Attica, Mrs. Despina Afentouli, comments on the current news, replying to the questions of Aggelos Fragkopoulos. p. 18

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The regional councilor of Eastern Attica, Despina Afentouli, with Giannis Sgouros [regional] party “Attiki”, Mrs. Despina Afentouli, comments on the current news, replying to the questions of Aggelos Fragkopoulos.

1. A year after the last regional elections, what is your experience by the implementation of the “Kallikratis” program?

The “Kallikratis” program is pioneer and innovative. [The program] implemented the institution of the elected Region and brought changes to the administrative map of the country, however, the implementation of Kallikratis philosophy in practice is a hard task to achieve, which requires time. The biggest problem that arises is the whole or the selective transfer of the powers without funds respectively, while [these funds] are predicted based on the article 102 of the Constitution. If the Attica Region accepts all the predicted powers, without the funds’ support respectively, then [the Attica Region] is in danger to be transformed from a profitable institution to a deficit one, without being responsible for that. The Local Government needs to obtain fund mechanisms with automatic processes and self-efficiency, so as to achieve real decentralization, correct design.

2. The any criticism on the “Kallikratis” program is on the institution or on the persons who were called to serve it?

The any criticism [of the “Kallikratis” program], is on the program implementation. The Attica Region makes all the necessary moves, so as to make “Kallikratis” as much functional, as possible. As it was proved by the activity report of the [financial] year 2011, despite the economic difficulties, the Attica Region, where almost half of the population of Greece lives, was successful as new elective institution, producing important and social work, having surplus budget. More specifically, in Eastern Attica have been concluded or are under implementation, 97 works, out of which 71 works, are self-funded, and 26 works [are done] with EU funding. We focused on works of sewage disposal, water supply system and watering, flood protection, road construction, social infrastructure (pre-schools and Centers for the Open Care for the Elderly), buildings, sports installations and studies, with ideal aim the improvement of the standard of living of the residents and the environmental protection.

3. What are the first conclusions by your presence at the Attica Region and the role the citizens assigned you?

A common, collective struggle for the best quality of life in Attica, with the Head of the Attica Region, Mr. Giannis Sgouros is being done.

Our main goal is the good implementation of the Law based to our campaign program. To this context, I strive to contribute with determination to the promotion of Attica, but also to the effective solution of the issues of our region and I hope to be equal to the trust of my fellow citizens.

4. Has the majority [of the regional party] under Mr. Giannis Sgouros corresponded to the demands of the program, and especially to the expectations of the citizens, at the twelve month administration of the [Attica] Region?

This is an answer that will be given by our fellow citizens at the next elections. With responsibility spirit, determination and hard work we struggle to achieve the self-evident. Besides, that was our campaign motto “With work, we head towards” and I truly believe that words are needless, when the actions speak.

5. Last year, the citizens of Palaia Fokaia and Anavyssos, faced the unilateral decisions of the municipal authority on the construction of the waste water treatment center in Gerakina and they cancelled them. However, the citizens were not informed about the positions of the Region. What were they?

The position of the Attica Region and our campaign commitment is the final solution of the liquid sewage administration issue, with priority in Eastern Attica. However, how the issue is going to be faced is going to be decided by the Saronikos Municipality. It is crucial however, to highlight that no matter what decision is going to be taken, in order to be successful, it has to be according to the local community [opinion], which is the final recipient. Undoubtedly, the disgorgement of the waste water in the street is not the solution, whereas there are modern methods of reuse.

The perpetuation of the today situation has severe impacts on the public life and the environment, while as country we are called to pay exorbitant environmental fines.

The time of the funds implementation by the National Strategic Reference Framework ends by 2013. It is, therefore, our last chance to implement important projects, so as to improve the standard of living, to protect the environment and after all, to inherit a better future to the next generations.

6. What do you think should be the contribution of the Regional administration to the implementation of the infrastructure projects that lack from the longest part of the Region?

According to the “Kallikratis” program, the institutional role of the elected Region is co-coordinative and developing, aiming higher to the citizens’ service. The most important issue that arises is that the implementation of the metropolitan powers of the Region, while they are predicted by the Kallikratis (no. 210, Law 3852/10), they continue to be put in practice independently by the Organization of the Masterplan of Athens. The Head of the Attica Region, Mr. Giannis Sgouros, with a relevant letter to the relevant Minister, Mr. Giorgos Papakonstantinou, in March 21, 2012 promoted this certain issue and asked for the integration of the Organization of the Masterplan of Athens to the Attica Region.

7. Another big issue arose recently in Marcopoulo, with the dispute of the municipality and the metropolis on the construction of the incinerator of the dead. I know that until now this issue has not occupied the Region. Is there any intention to check it out and to solve it despite the fact that this is state law, [and] it is being prevented by the conservative and zealously religious circles of our country?

Indeed, this certain issue is not included to our duties. It is a very personal issue and I believe that the central administration, as well as all the relevant bodies should find out a practical solution, which would not offend social bodies or individual persons.

8. We saw that in recent session of the Region Council one of the issues proposition was the participation of the Attica Region to the program “Local actions of social integration for vulnerable groups” for the “prevention and face of the social isolation of the vulnerable groups of the population”. What is the policy of the Region to [combat] the increasing number of our fellow citizens who are marginalized because of the [financial] crisis?

The Attica Region has already since July 26, 2012 decided and signed memorandum of co-operation with 18 non-governmental organizations, which are expected to hire almost 3.000 people. Moreover, [the Attica Region] participates as partner to four proposals which have been applied for the Special Service for Social Inclusion and Social Economy – local actions of social integration for vulnerable groups and we are preparing to make proclamation for the Local Employment Plan, which are about to be implemented by development collaborations in which the Local Authority Bodies, voluntary organizations, non-governmental organizations and companies, which in the future will occupy the unemployed people.

9. In December 9, 2011 the signing ceremony of the “European Charter for Gender Equality within the Local Communities” took place. What does this mean for the Greek woman, Mother, Wife, [and] worker? How this action is specified at the Attica Region?

By signing this certain Charter there is public official commitment at the local and regional authorities in Europe to strengthen the Gender Equality principle and implementation of the commitments that are mentioned within the Charter.  Special emphasis is given to the role of woman in politics and civic life, especially to the [woman’s] balanced participation to the decision making processes and to combat stereotypes, the role of the Region and the Municipality as employer, the woman’s right to access to the education and lifelong learning, to the field of health and medical services, to her protection and security.

 

[Page: 19]

The Attica Region, like any signed authority, undertakes the creation of an action plan within two years, specifying certain priorities, actions and funds, aiming to its implementation, in co-operation with relevant bodies and commissions of its territory, so as to achieve gender equality in practice.

10. You are Dr. in Sociology, Journalist, Politician, a young woman, with high specifications. According to your opinion, what are the prospects of the young women scientists at this environment of economic, political and cultural crisis that currently Greece is in?

My presence to the ballot paper and the fact that I got elected to the Attica regional council, proves in practice my disposition to contribute towards the creation of chances for women, and especially for young people, not only to the field of science, but in general – and at this point I would like to thank my fellow citizens who gave me this opportunity. Unfortunately, even nowadays, women’s and especially young people’s representation is absent or it lacks to the decision making centers, [and] this results to be taken life decisions, without taking into account the real needs. The eruptive increase of the unemployment in our country impels the young people to look for opportunities abroad, not to mention what this means for the demographic issue of the country. On the other hand, women who do not obtain relevant support in terms of infrastructure, so as to work and at the same time to have [their own] family.

It is certain that the unprecedented political, economic, cultural, crisis which we experience in our country, influences greatly all aspects of life, while at the same time things which until now were taken for granted are being reconsidered. The time has come to place anew the values and the ideals which can form a more human society, with respect to both the citizen and the environment.

We thank you so much.

 

Source:  Attikos Paratiritis / Attica Observer (in Greek: Αττικός Παρατηρητής)