May 26, 2025 

Learning with the Tides: An Island’s Gift to the Next Generation.

The children inaugurate the new conference center of the Archipelagos Institute!

Based in northern Samos, this new center aspires to become a point of reference for informing the residents of the Aegean—especially students.

It is housed in a building complex that had remained closed and abandoned for over ten years. The facilities were repaired and continue to be upgraded and modernized, thanks to great effort, dedication, and full self-funding by the Archipelagos Institute. Classes are offered in the “K. Kioulafas” building.

The aim is to offer meaningful, non-profit education, training, and awareness-raising for students and teachers from all over Greece and abroad. Already, in addition to the programs offered this spring, there has been great interest from Aegean schools for the next academic year—either through on-site visits to Samos throughout the year or via online participation. We often also have the opportunity to connect live with our research vessels operating in the open sea.

Scientists and students from the Archipelagos Institute’s International School of the Sea, whose research base is located in the same region of northern Samos, participate in the specialized educational and awareness activities. In collaboration with leading universities from around the world, the International School of the Sea hosts approximately 100 students from over 30 countries and various disciplines throughout the year.

Through our educational programs, we share not only knowledge grounded in experience but also inspiration, values, and essential skills. It is vital to prepare children to face the immense environmental challenges created by our own generations—challenges that are intensifying daily due to the complete lack of management across all levels: fisheries, rare species protection, waste and sewage management, reduction of single-use plastics, and much more.