- On January 25-27, 2011 a scientific meeting was held in Geneva, Switzerland, within the framework of the program “SPARC/IOC/WMO-IGACO workshop on Past Changes in the Vertical Distribution of Ozone” (in which the MFK participates with a self-financed program). The Foundation was represented by the Assistant Professor of AUTH, Mrs. K. Tourpali.
https://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/publications/annual_meetings/2014/slides/21-140327-A.pdf - The advisor of the MKF Board, Dr. V. Tritakis represented the Foundation on February 20-21, 2011 at the University of Savoy, in Chambery, Southern France. This meeting marked the beginning of the third consecutive program of research cooperation among the members of CIRCLE (Climate Impact Research Coordination for a Larger Europe). Its subject was the effects of climate change on the mountainous zone.
- February 22-23, 2011 marked the completion of the biannual CIRCLE-MED program in which eight Mediterranean countries participated with six multinational programs. The program ended in a festive fashion at the conference center of Aix-en-Provence in Southern France and it was attended by all members of ERA-NET CIRCLE. The Foundation was represented by the advisor of the Board, Dr. V. Tritakis.
- The MKF established an automated meteorological station at the 2nd Lyceum of Nafpaktos. The objective of this station will be the online presentation of meteorological parameters and data from Nafpaktos. These data will be available to anyone interested, especially to the students of the local Gymnasiums and Lyceums, for the compilation of research projects which constitute a major educational subject in the new educational program for students inaugurated by the Foundation in collaboration with the Climatology Laboratory of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (UOA). On March 13, 2011, the station was updated and established in an event which was held in Nafpaktos and it was attended by the Metropolitan of Nafpaktos, the mayors of Nafpaktos and Dorida, Lyceum and Gymnasium students as well as a crowd of people from the wider region. The event was organized by the Head of the 2nd Lyceum of Nafpaktos, Mr. K. Koutsopoulos with the cooperation of other educators from Lyceums and Gymnasiums of the region. The keynote speaker at the event was the Foundation Chairman, Professor Christos Zerefos, Academician, who spoke on “Climate change and its effects”. Afterwards, Associate Professor Panagiotis Nastos presented the meteorological station and explained how it works. Also, Associate Professor Vasileios Tritakis, a member of the Foundation’s Board, made an informative presentation of the history, the objectives and the programs of the Foundation.
The Chairman of the Foundation in a lecture at the event for the establishment of an automated meteorological station in Nafpaktos. In the first row are the Mayor of Nafpaktos Mr. Boules with city councilors and the Metropolitan of Nafpaktos (Nafpaktos, 2011).
- On April 8, 2011, the Chairman, the Secretary and the Director of the Foundation had the pleasure to attend the celebration that took place in order to establish a “garden of senses” at the Training and Rehabilitation Center for the Blind in Kallithea (KEAT). The MKF, within the framework of the “Biodiversity Year” undertook the realization of this garden in collaboration with “Antemisaris” Nursery Gardens with the aim of acquainting visually impaired children with the aromatic plants of our country through the senses of touch and smell. During this visit, the representatives of the Foundation talked with the children and exchanged views with the educators about the problems faced by KEAT. Finally, with great pleasure, the children themselves planted the flowers in the flower beds. The event was also attended by the professors of the University of Thessaloniki, Mr. A. Bais, Mrs. K. Tourpali and Mr. P. Zanis.
The Director of KEAT, the Secretary and the Chairman of the MKF are watching the children plant flowers (Athens, 2011).
A commemorative photo from the visit and the celebration organized by the teachers and KEAT students for the establishment of the garden of senses (Athens, 2011).
- On May 19-20, 2011 the MKF, in collaboration with the International Union of Architects (UIA) and EUROSOLAR organization, coorganized an international conference within the framework of the ARES Program (Architecture and Renewable Energy Sources). The conference was held in Rome, Italy under the title: “The Architecture of Well-Tempered Environment”. The MKF was represented by its Chairman, Professor C. Zerefos. Among the participants were distinguished architects, scholars and a large number of postgraduate students from various Architectural Universities. The delegates reached significant conclusions which can be summarized in the revival and modernization of Vitruvio’s trilogy: “firmitas, utilitas, venustas” in the Structured environment of the 21st century in harmony with nature. At the end of the conference, the delegates signed a Manifesto of ten points in order to achieve harmony between architecture and the environment. (Proceedings of the International Event “Renewable Energy Sources, an Architectural Design-Lab for the Climate Change”, 2010) http://uia-ares.org/may-19-20-2011-international-conference-the-architectureof-well-tempered-environment-a-harmonyof-integrated-instruments/
ΕUROSOLAR /UIA-ARES Manifesto - On Thursday 23rd of June, 2011 on the premises of the National Athens Observatory, on Nymph Hill, in a joint event for the awarding of the prizes “Europa Nostra” 2010/2011, there was held the awarding of the international prize “2010 WMO Professor Mariolopoulos Trust Fund Award”. The WMO prizes for 2010 were awarded to the studies:
- “The natural aerosol over Northern Europe and its relation to anthropogenic emissionsimplications of important climate feedbacks” by P. Tunved et al., published in Tellus.
- “Recent severe heat waves in central Europe: how to view them in a long-term prospect?” by J. Kyselý, published in the International Journal of Climatology.
- “Can mesoscale models reproduce meandering motions?” by D. Belušić and I. Güttler, published in
the Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society.
The awards were presented by the representative of the World Meteorological Organization, Dr. Deon Terblanche, Director of the Department of Atmospheric Research and Environment. The event was attended by personalities from scientific, political and diplomatic circles as well as by Mrs. Androulla Vasileiou, EU Commissioner for Education and Culture with her husband Mr. G. Vasileiou, former President of Cyprus Republic. The event was co-organized by the MKF, the National Athens Observatory, the Embassy of Denmark in Athens and the GREEK SOCIETY for the Environment and Culture, which represents Europa Nostra in Greece.
A panoramic view from the awarding ceremony of the Foundation prizes (Nymph Hill, 2011).
The award-winners of the “WMO Professor Mariolopoulos Trust Fund Award” Dr. Peter Tunved (ITM/Stockholm University) and Dr. Danijel Belušić (University of Zagreb, Croatia) with the WMO representative Mr. Deon Terblanche, the NMS Governor Lieutenant Lucas Asimakis and the Chairman of the Foundation Mr. C. Zerefos (Nymph Hill, 2011).
- The MKF, in collaboration with the Hellenic Hydrological Society and the Cyprus Association of Hydrologists and Mineralogists, co-organized the 9th International Hydrogeological Conference and the 4th “MEM Workshop on Fissured Rocks Hydrology”. The conference was held on October 5-8, 2011 in Kalavryta, Achaia with the participation of 15 countries. The Proceedings of the Conference were published in 2 volumes by Springer Publishing (Advances in the Research of Aquatic Environment, Vol. 1 – 2, 2011).
- On November16-17, 2011 in Constantinople was held the 8th summit of the GEO (Group on Earth Observations) member Countries. The National Greek Representative and Chairman of the MKF Board Mr. C. Zerefos was represented by the Deputy National Representative and head of the Greek GEO Office Mr. Vasileios Tritakis. The Greek Geo Office operates with the support of the MKF. On November 18, Mr. Vasileios Tritakis represented the Foundation as a guest speaker at the conference of the GEO (Group on Earth Observations) “Strengthening and Development of Earth Observation Activities for the Environment in the Balkan area”, which took place in Constantinople.
http://www.greekgeo.noa.gr/wp/greek-geooffice-activities/other-greek-geo-officeactivities/