The annual General Assembly of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), held this year in Crete, began with a particularly significant moment: the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature and the Region of Crete, marking the official inclusion of Crete in UNESCO’s global “Greening Education Partnership” (GEP) campaign.
Following the announcement of this important milestone for the island, Stavros Arnaoutakis, Regional Governor of Crete, stated:
“Crete possesses the knowledge, vision, and infrastructure to lead the green transition. We are proud that the Region of Crete is the first in Greece to sign a Memorandum of Cooperation as part of UNESCO’s global Greening Education campaign. Our participation marks a milestone towards a new era in education and sustainability”.
Nikos Petrou, President of HSPN, also added:
“For many years, HSPN has had a strong presence in Crete through the implementation of all its programmes, with 153 Blue Flags, 160 hotels awarded the Green Key, and 85 Eco-Schools. It is also involved in 9 major international biodiversity conservation projects. The Region of Crete actively supports these programmes, consistently promoting the principles of sustainability in tourism, in the primary sector, and in education, while also implementing strategies to address climate change and support the green transition. The signing of the Memorandum is a mutual commitment towards achieving our shared goals, founded on trust and shared values, for the benefit of the environment, local communities, and future generations”.
HSPN, as the national representative of FEE in Greece, is organizing this year’s General Assembly, which is taking place from 28 to 30 May 2025 at the “Mikis Theodorakis” Conference Centre in Hersonissos, Heraklion. FEE, with an active presence in 83 countries, is one of the world’s largest and most recognized international organizations in the fields of environmental education and education for sustainable development.
More than 80 delegates from 65 countries participate in this year’s global gathering, along with the FEE Board of Directors and top-level executives, including:
Lesley Jones, Outgoing President- Nikos Petrou, President of HSPN and Incoming President of FEE
- Daniel Schaffer, CEO
- Pramod Kumar Sharma, Senior Director of Education
- Johann Durand, International Blue Flag Director
- Finn Bolding Thomsen, International Green Key Director
In addition to governance matters, the Assembly will focus on major global issues such as sustainability in tourism, the integration of artificial intelligence in education, youth empowerment, and strengthening international collaborations within FEE’s global network.
On the occasion of the event, representatives from the tourism and hospitality sectors, as well as stakeholders supporting the conference, made statements emphasizing the importance of partnerships in promoting environmental education and sustainable development.
George Pelekanakis, President of the Greek Federation of Hotel Managers (PODIX), said:
“The challenge of environmental awareness can only be met through collaboration among scientists, educators, professionals, and local communities. Today’s invitation to the hospitality industry gives us hope, as it shows that HSPN understands that nature and tourism are not competing concepts—they can and must go hand in hand”.
Representing the Association of Hoteliers of Crete, Alexandros Somaras added:
“Hotels play a pivotal role in advancing the green transition by offering knowledge and opportunities for participation across the entire tourism value chain. Certifications like the Green Key ensure that our efforts are measurable and reliable, allowing us to operate with transparency and responsibility”.
Andreas Metaxas, CEO of Metaxa Hospitality Group, highlighted:
“Sustainability has always been a key priority, and a value intertwined with the 50-year history of Metaxa Hospitality Group. In this spirit, we implement innovative sustainability programmes aimed at continuously increasing our positive impact and creating value for people, the environment, and local communities—while systematically investing in environmental education”.
Notis Soulias, representing Avra Tours, stated:
“At Avra Tours, our strategic goal is to create a fully net-zero portfolio of tourism services. Crete, with its rich biodiversity and authentic identity, is the ideal setting to redefine what sustainable tourism truly means”.
Finally, Panos Almyrantis, President of the European Hotel Managers Association, noted:
“Initiatives like the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Region of Crete and HSPN are exemplary models of linking tourism with sustainability and diversifying the tourism product in line with European standards. Strengthening environmental awareness supports local destinations. The education of professionals and society is crucial for sustainable tourism development. Actions like these pave the way for a high-quality, resilient, and competitive tourism model”.
The event is strongly supported by local partners: the Region of Crete, the Municipality of Hersonissos, Metaxa Hospitality Group, Avra Tours S.A. The participants’ hospitality is supported by Cretan Hospitality, MITSIS GROUP, GOLDEN Hotels, Nana Hotels, and the Greek Federation of Hotel Managers. Official airl travel sponsor: Aegean Airlines.
HSPN’s strong presence and the hosting of the FEE General Assembly in Crete highlight Greece’s growing role in environmental and sustainability education, strengthening its voice in the global dialogue on the future of our planet.
About FEE
Established in 1981, the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) is one of the world’s largest environmental education organisations, with over 100 member organisations in 81 countries. With 40 years of impactful experience in ESD, its new strategic plan – GAIA 20:30 – prioritises climate action across all five programmes to address the urgent threats of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution.
The Educational programmes, Eco-Schools, Learning about Ecosystems and Forests (LEAF) and Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE), empower young people to create an environmentally conscious world through a solutions-based approach. The Green Key and Blue Flag programmes are globally recognized for promoting sustainable business practices and the protection of natural resources.
