“It is time to change mentality” - Δέσποινα Αφεντούλη

July 15, 2011

p. 8-9

Column: Reportage

Interview with D. Afentouli

[Picture 1: inauguration day – signing as elected regional councilor of Attica- division of Eastern Attica]

[Picture 2: Despina Afentouli]

[Picture 3: the Head of the Attica Region, Giannis Sgouros, with the elected regional councilor of Attica- division of Eastern Attica]

[Picture 4: Giving a speech at the international conference on the tourism sector at Acharnes Municipality]

– INTERVIEW OF THE EASTERN ATTICA REGIONAL COUNCILOR OF DESPINA AFENTOULI AT “P” [NEWSPAPER]

By participating we shape together the developments –
If, even we, the young people, lose our hope, then it is like quitting life –
The problems do not have [political] color, for this reason we strive for the substantial co-operation with all the [political] parties and this, we prove it in practice –

[Interview] to APOSTOLOS ROSSIOS –

She is [not only] the youngest and the only woman, but also the first in [preference] votes regional councilor in Eastern Attica with G. Sgouros [political] party, she has a rich resume with studies and work experience in Greece and abroad, she has active long participation in the civic life, however her presence does not reveal none of these, as she is genial, polite, honest and dynamic but at the same time she is also lowly with deep offer and humanity spirit. All these [characteristics] are rare to find in the political life of our country. It is all about Despina Afentouli, the promising politician of Eastern Attica, who she talks about all and everything at her interview to P. She claims that the problems do not have [political] color and no matter what is their solution, [the solution] must in accordance with the local society, while she insists that nowadays we need to maintain more than ever our optimism and “us” to override “me”. She declares supporter of collectivity and solidarity, but also of synthesis of different ideas. She has groundbreaking views, which is incompatible for the politicians, as we know them at least. More specifically, regarding the issue of the presidential decree of Ymittos, she is leading to find solution in common with bodies and municipality. Moreover, regarding the great problem of the Mesogeia municipalities, which has arisen, with the compensatory benefits, she is clear, highlighting that it is fair and obvious request of the citizens. Regarding the Region’s position on the bad financial situation we live in, Mrs. Afentouli stresses that “the exit out of crisis is interconnected directly with the development. Towards that direction moves the Attica Region …”.

First of all, Mrs Afentouli, is it the first time you are being occupied with the civic life?

No. I was elected second in preference votes, municipal councilor of Dionyssos Municipality with the majority [political] party in 2006.

With what fields were you occupied with during your term as Municipal councilor?

I served at the Municipal council secretary’s office, while as the youngest in age municipal councilor I was occupied with Young Generations issues, establishing for the first time the Youth Local Council in Dionyssos city, coordinating activities that foster the environmental consciousness, the culture of the sports spirit etc. through specific actions and initiatives. As member of the Cultural Organization, I undertook the organizing of the 1^st Dionyssos Youth Festival with the participation of youth music groups of the greater area, supporting in practice the local market. As member of the Dionyssos school committees of the 1^st Primary School and the Kindergarten, but also of the Gymnasium and the Lyceum, I organized quite a run of informative lectures on driving safety, good sportsmanship – no violence to the sports stadiums.

How did really politics emerged for you? Taken into account that you have a very good professional future ahead, reading your impressive resume as well.

It is true that I have devoted many years on my studies. I hold my first degree in “International and European Studies and English – German” (translation- interpreting) at the Salford University (Manchester) and Johannes Gutenberg University (Frankfurt). My master’s degree is in “International Journalism”, specialized in issues of European politics at City University (London). I just concluded my Ph.D. in Sociology of History at Panteion University [Athens], focusing my Ph.D. thesis on the Mass Media and the Greek-Turkish relations. During my studies, I represented my fellow students [at the University council meetings], while I worked as journalist in Greece and abroad at CNN, BBC, London Greek Radio and ANT1 etc. next to established people in the field, from whom I have been taught journalism as vocation. All these I [just] mentioned are related directly to my interest in the civic life and it was a natural continuation of my path. Along with my participation in the civic life we shape together, and we not just observing, the developments. It is in our hand to contribute towards this direction, as long as we have faith in it.

Afentouli, how does a young politician, in the top of the elected ones at the Regional Government, feel?

I feel content for the result and vindication for the common struggle we gave. Our common aim for better quality of life in Attica, the power of our party members and first, the head of this attempt, the former head of the Athens region and the current Head of Attica Region, Mr. Giannis Sgouros, all these led to the successful result. The trust of my fellow citizens, whom I thank from the bottom of my heart, gives me strength and hope to continue.

Have you faced co-operation problems at the Regional Council?

Of course, within the Regional Council there are different political views, however, as the Head of the Region often stresses, this is the quintessence of democracy. Our main aim is to solve the issues that trouble citizen’s everyday life. The problems do not have [political] color and for this reason we strive to have essential co-operation with all the [political] parties and this, we prove it in practice.

Let’s move on now to the clear political issues, which affect our region. First of all, what are your responsibilities at the regional Council, Mrs. Afentouli?

The Head of the Region appointed me [responsible] in the tourism sector for Attica, along with my fellow Mr. Nikos Amanatidis. To this context, the Committee of [“] Education, Lifelong Learning, Culture, Tourism and Sports [”] has been formed, to which I am regular member. Moreover, I am replacement member of the Economy [“] Committee [”] and of the Metropolitan Committee of the [“] Spatial Planning and Urban Regeneration [”] Sector, as well as I am the representative of the Region in the Committee on the Port Division of Vouliagmeni. My participation in the committees is on a voluntarily basis.

“Common actions with bodies and municipalities for the decree of Ymittos”

What are according to your view, Mrs. Afentouli, the priorities on the tourism sector for Eastern Attica, on which should the Region put more emphasis on?

First of all, Eastern Attica can become the main attraction for any tourist: it brings together an incomparable natural beauty, a unique beachfront, a remarkable cultural wealth, religious monuments, sports stadiums and Olympic centers, entertainment, and great Greek kitchen. Every municipality of Eastern Attica has its own special identity, which we have to promote, not only within Greece, but also internationally. The implementation or improvement of both water supply and drainage [infrastructure] works, where needed, the redevelopment of the beachfront and the support of the tourist entrepreneurship are in our direct priorities. Necessary prerequisite for the achievement of this goal is the co-operation of all the relevant bodies. We already co-operate with the [Greek] Ministry of Culture and Tourism and we support the “Athens Every Week” program. Our aim is to promote the whole Attica and to create the appropriate conditions, so as to extent the tourist period. Towards that direction I have already taken many initiatives, which are in the process of implementation. For example, I mention that I submitted a well-developed proposal, regarding the running of tourist kiosks, which happen to be widely accepted.

Moreover, after the consecutive meetings I had with the Secretary General of the Youth Generation, the Tourism Development Company, the Greek Tourism Organization and after discussions with the leadership of the relevant ministry, it was obvious that there was co-operation will. Moreover, I submitted cartography proposal of the Region, aiming at the marking of the points of interest, in order to distribute it as informative material at the tourist kiosks, following the example of Barcelona. Moreover, after the unanimous acceptance of my proposal to the relevant Committee to set it up under the auspices of the [Attica] Region, the 1^st Agrofestival of Agriculture Products and Culture was organized with great success in the Acharnes Municipality, which deserves the credits for the excellent organizing. Furthermore, the organizing of the 2^nd Agroquality Festival – Agricultural Quality Products which took place with the support of the Attica Region in Gazi, shown in practice our faith to contribute as Region to the attempt to exit out of this difficult economic situation.

A great social issue which basically occupies the Mesogeian people is the Presidential decree for the Ymittos zones. What is your position?

Indeed it is a burning issue which occupies intensely, hundreds if not thousands citizens of Mesogeia. I, already, initiated meetings and actions in common with local bodies and representatives of the Municipalities of Kropia, Paiania, Vari, for the final solution of the issue. Towards that direction, heads also my co-operation with the professor, Mr. P. Dimopoulos, with whom we had series of meetings and contacts with presidents of local associations. To be more specific, one of the meetings took place at the office of the Regional vice governor of the Eastern Attica, at her presence.

During that meeting, it was clear that for the better combat of the issue, there is need to compose a text, in which to express the bodies and the inhabitants of the areas of interest (Koropi, Paiania, Vari) and at the same time to ensure the Ymittos protection.

Therefore, I collected all the relevant material and the positions of the interested local bodies, so as, in co-operation with the professor, Mr. Dimopoulos, to end up to a commonly accepted non-paper text. Unfortunately, even before I receive the estimations-positions of the local bodies on the proposal submitted, the text leaked to the local Press as “research” with the name of the professor without, however, having the professor given his own consent [for that].

“Fair and obvious the request of the inhabitants for the Elliniko issue”

Afentouli, now, regarding the issue of the new forestry and the transferring of its headquarter in Koropi. What do you say?

We support the fair request of the inhabitants and the Kropia Municipality for obvious and clearly reasonable reasons. On the one hand, because 90 % of the cases regard Koropi and the surrounding areas, and on the other hand, for the best service of the citizens. The establishment of the Ymittos Forestry itself is crucial in the first place and responds to a permanent request of many decades. I am in constantly contact with the Kropia Municipality, for the best [possible] arrangement of the issue, with specific proposals for the location.

Regarding the wastes and more specifically with the Regional Planning. What is your position?

Look, the conclusive management of the solid waste is an issue of yesterday that we are called to face it today. It is certain that if the processes do not proceed immediately, so as to implement as fast as possible construction works of waste transfer stations, we will end up constantly to half measures. Through, therefore, the information campaign, which has been promised by the Head of the Region, the citizens could be persuaded that the technologies which will be implemented protect the public health and the environment. There is need to ensure all the environmental conditions on the waste management, in accordance to the European Regulation and the [European] Community Directive. It is time to change mentality and to finally obtain environmental consciousness. It is worth noted to stress that no matter what solution is given, it has to be in accordance with the opinion of the local society, as it is about it and it is the final receiver.

Another alike problem that occurred lately especially after the relevant latest bill, is the one with the compensation benefits of the former Elliniko airport. Has this issue been discussed at the Region?

This issue has occupied us at regional level, and for this reason the Council decided unanimously to stand by the Municipalities of Kropia, Markopoulo, Paiania, Spata-Artemida and Rafina-Pikermi. I have expressed at times in public my opinion that it is a fair and obvious request of the citizens of these areas and I have informed the Regional Authority about it.

Really, what is exactly your relationship with the deputy minister of Education and member of the Hellenic parliament in our region? I say that because many things have been written, which more or less characterize you as “extension” – please allow me [to use] this expression – of this certain deputy minister. What is finally true?

I am aware of the area I move in and I am not surprised how easily characterizations could be given to a person who is publically exposed. Time is the best judge.

– Mrs. Afentouli, what is your opinion about the current situation that our country has been through?

The unprecedented politic-financial crisis, which we experience as country, signifies the end of an era and it has impact to our personal lives. We are at the phase of reconsideration of many things which, until recently, were taken for granted. At this difficult situation there is need more need than ever, “us” to override “me”.

Are we going to exit the [crisis] tunnel?

It is clear now and this is what the specialists in economic issues support, that the exit out of the crisis is directly connected with the development. Towards that direction moves the Attica Region, which aims, through the implementation of funds from the National Strategic Reference Framework, to activate its whole mechanism for infrastructure works for the citizens’ benefit. This is how we can see the light at the tunnel. Besides, if even we, the young people, lose our hope, then it is like we quit from life.

Really, what are your political aims?

I got elected just recently regional councilor and from this position I hope to be – in practice- worthy of the trust of my fellow citizens. With collectivity and solidarity, we aim to promote Attica, but also to face the crucial issues of our region. Towards that attempt, we need the support of all.

Source: PYXIDA (in Greek: ΠΥΞΙΔΑ)