Ο John F. Kennedy once said that «when the going gets tough, the tough keep going». Correct. Except that when times, countries, situations and leaders change, then the concept of «tough» takes on other dimensions.
Today our country (like the whole world) is going through a «tough» period. Pandemic, economy, Greek-Turkish and many other things confirm the concept. All of us, every citizen, every collective, the organised state and multinational institutions are called upon to help overcome the difficulties. It is understandable that the government should seek to convince us that every failure is our fault (the notorious «individual responsibility»), while every success is its own doing. That's politics, that's communication, those are the rules of the «game».
The question is what do we do, what criteria do we use to determine our behaviour, what principles do we uphold, what do we seek? Especially in the Kythera the situation is more complex: We came out of a difficult summer with reduced tourist traffic, the island's economy is «struggling», the data is changing and we are now in search of orientation. The unilateral tourist development of the island should be considered a thing of the past. It is vulnerable to external interventions (from pandemics and economic crisis to any kind of conflict with Turkey). Today more than ever, it is necessary to redefining the economy of the island, new initiatives with a plan and vision, new leaders and certainly a great rallying that will cut through all kinds of petty interests (from economic to party) and drive forward. We are referring to something of a New Deal nature (it is a series of economic measures introduced in the United States between 1933 and 1938 in response to the Great Depression of 1929. The programs were aimed at bringing relief to the poorest and the unemployed, bringing the economy back to normal levels, and reforming the country's financial system to prevent a similar situation from happening again).
Can a new deal to be the business of the inhabitants of an island? Not in the form that has been done in the US, yes, if it is our internal agreement.
But what will this involve? In our view, it should take into account the size of the island, the small and fragmented economy, the ageing population, the specific characteristics of Kythera.
It is clear to us that the forms that can ensure the greatest possible accumulation of capital and human resources should be strengthened. It is difficult for growth to be based solely on small and micro-enterprises. Cooperatives, energy communities, synergies between businesses and individuals, but also the attraction of investment (always based on a design accepted by the local community), could provide greater growth potential. The Municipality primarily, the Region secondarily and new business institutions that can and should be created will be the engine of such development. We are clearly not proposing a model of public intervention where the state will play a central role, but we are proposing a model where individuals, associations of individuals and public organisations (e.g. the Municipality or the Domestic Estate) will work in harmony.
But the most important capital that exists in abundance at the moment is a very highly skilled human capital that has repeatedly expressed its willingness to contribute to its homeland or even to an island that is not the place where it was born but a place it loved. The Kytherians and philanthropists who have high skills and experience in business and institutional functioning are truly many and remarkable. These are today the most important treasure of our island.
Those who know business know well that nothing can happen if there is no human resources to «run» every good idea. In today's conditions a new working reality has been created objectively with teleworking and a high degree of underemployment, remote islands are «closer» places to work than in the past.
The big problem in Greece is that many good ideas are said in cafes and last as long as a game of pref... Then everyone goes home and does what they did yesterday. It is necessary to find the institution and the people who will take on the task of implementing this local new deal. No one, no matter how much they love the island, will give up their time if there are no assurances of a serious effort with serious people and a visionary approach.
What is certain is that the old model of Kythera's economy is outdated and inefficient. Those who insist on this are mathematically certain to lead the island to decline and abandonment. What we don't like is clear. The new is always born with pains and dangers. Are we ready for the tough stuff?;
P.S. These are our first thoughts. We are open to new ideas, new proposals, as long as they are in a positive direction, We will come back soon with more specific proposals for the areas that we believe can support the development of the island. Until then we are waiting for your ideas...
Author of the article:
Journalist, member of ESIEA, member of the Board of Directors of R/S Athens 984
