The rich history and landscapes of Rhodes set a great scene for the annual EESD conference. Hosted by the House of Europe on Rhodes, and in collaboration with the Greek, Tunisian and German networks of the Anna Lindh Foundation, the conference focused on themes of culture, social innovation and tourism, with particular emphasis on opportunities for young people.

As manager of the Open Music School I was invited to attend and share ideas on those themes. During the week, I hosted talks on intercultural exchange and music at the The University of the Aegean, and also at the Music School of Rhodes, a high school with a focus on learning music (and German), using local musical heritage and instrumentation as a cornerstone.

It was a fabulous time. The energy at both the university and the high school was refreshing. I felt the young people on Rhodes were excited, to learn, to be social, and in the case of the music school, to perform. It was a privilege to see.

In the evenings at the Chamber of Commerce, the House of Rhodes hosted different panel discussions. These centered on ideas of participation of youth in the community (i.e. Youth Participation as a condition for Integrity in Local Economic Development). The forum also interestingly addressed the weave of sustainable tourism, especially pertinent for a place like Rhodes, which was so devastated in 2023 by wildfires. 

Of course, no visit to Rhodes would be complete without indulging in its bottomless history. During breaks in the program, we took the opportunity to explore the island’s historic landmarks – guided by our generous hosts. It felt like time travel. The sense of wandering in very long trodden paths. I found myself thinking about how such an ancient past would consider our forum, our divergence of cultures, and our objectives of inclusion.

I was very appreciative of the experience and happy to contribute to a refreshing, productive and all round very fun week. 

Joe Marshall