Kriton Arsenis
Kriton Arsenis (Greek: Κρίτων Αρσένης, born 3 August 1977) is a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) since July 2009.
Early life
He was born in Thessaloniki, Greece. He studied planning and regional development at the University of Thessaly in Greece (1996-2001) and continued on with postgraduate studies in International Development (MPA/ID) at the Kennedy School of Harvard University (2001-2003). From 2005 to 2009, he worked for the Greek NGO ELLINIKI ETAIREIA-Hellenic Society for the Protection of the Environment and the Cultural Heritage, where he was responsible for setting up the "Sustainable Aegean Programme"[1], a public awareness campaign for the sustainable development of the Aegean Islands. From January 2008 to May 2009 he served as a member of the Greek National Planning Council where he represent 10 Greek environmental NGOs.
Political career
He is a Greek Member of the European Parliament in the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament (S&D)[2]. He is a Member of the European Parliament Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety[3] and the Committee on Fisheries[4]. He is also a substitute Member of the Committee on Development[5]. He is active in issues related to biodiversity and the fight against climate change[6]. He was also instrumental in the recent EU regulation on illegal timber[7]. Likewise, he has been in the front line in the battle to save the bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) in the Mediterranean[8].
Personal life
He speaks Greek, English, French, Spanish and Italian. Originally from Thessaloniki, Kriton Arsenis shares his time between Thessaloniki and the Cyclades Islands. He has traveled extensively in South America spending time with indigenous people. During his stay in Peru and Bolivia he became familiar with Quechua, the main dialect of the Andes. His main focus is the prioritization of the expansion of biodiversity and of natural ecosystems (especially forests) in the fight for both mitigating and adapting to climate change[9]. He is a strong supporter of the restoration of Mediterranean forest areas with oak and other deciduous trees.
Activism and awards
He has been an active member of the environmental movement in Greece and abroad since the age of 15. In 1998 he was awarded a prize by the Prefecture of Thessaloniki for his contribution to the protection of the Old City (Ano Poli) of Thessaloniki. In 2009, he was awarded by the European Union and EUROPA NOSTRA(Network of cultural heritage associate organization from all over Europe) the European Grand Prize in the category "Education, training and awareness-raising" for the campaign "Sustainable Aegean"[10]. As part of the awareness raising effort for climate change, he coordinated two Greek "Turn the lights off" initiatives, for 5 minutes in February 2007 and for 10 minutes in June 2007.
References
- ^ http://www.egaio.gr/
- ^ http://www.europarl.europa.eu/members/expert/committees/view.do;jsessionid=426E18A17345B692DC6E91DCABD4FADC.node1?language=EN&id=97009
- ^ http://www.europarl.europa.eu/activities/committees/membersCom.do?language=EN&body=ENVI
- ^ http://www.europarl.europa.eu/activities/committees/membersCom.do?language=EN&body=PECH
- ^ http://www.europarl.europa.eu/activities/committees/membersCom.do?language=EN&body=DEVE
- ^ http://copenhagenclimateagreement.blogactiv.eu/2009/11/27/a-just-agreement-in-copenhagen-might-be-our-last-chance/
- ^ http://www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu/gpes/public/detail.htm?id=134455&request_locale=EN§ion=NER&category=NEWS
- ^ http://www.sdbroadcast.com/EN/group400.aspx
- ^ http://www.neurope.eu/articles/The-role-of-forests-in-climate-change-/100399.php
- ^ http://www.europanostra.org/laureates-2009/