This meeting is a continuation of the joint initiative that took shape during the 3rd Panhellenic Forum of Cultural Organizations, which was held in Aigio from October 2 to 5, 2025, with the participation of dozens of federations, associations, cultural organizations, university representatives, and local government bodies. The Aigio Forum highlighted culture as a driver of sustainable local development, social cohesion, volunteerism, and outreach, while reaffirming the need to create a stable, nationwide network of cooperation among the country’s cultural organizations.

Building on this momentum, Rhodes is undertaking to host a substantive and well-documented pre-conference dialogue focused on the relationship between Culture and Tourism in the Greek Regions, with the support and co-organization of the Municipality of Rhodes and the Region of South Aegean.

“Culture and Tourism: Co-creation, Sustainability, and Local Development”

The Rhodes Pre-Forum 2026 aims to examine in depth:

• the role of culture in shaping the contemporary tourism identity of destinations,
• the contribution of tourism to the preservation, promotion, and funding of cultural activities,
• the positive and negative impacts of tourism development on local communities,
• the management of cultural heritage in high-traffic areas,
• the importance of volunteerism, local community participation, and collaboration among stakeholders,
• the need for a balance between authenticity, economic development, and sustainability.

Rhodes, as a place of global cultural significance and, at the same time, one of the country’s most important tourist destinations, provides an ideal setting for dialogue on these issues.

Objectives of the Meeting

The primary objective of the Rhodes Pre-Forum 2026 is to establish a common framework of positions, reflections, and proposals from the country’s cultural federations, which will be enshrined in the “Rhodes Declaration.”

The Rhodes Declaration will constitute:

• a collective, nationwide statement by the Federations,
• a well-documented text of proposals on cultural policy and regional development,
• a basis for discussion and an official presentation at the main Forum in Aegialia,
• a tool for dialogue with the State, local government, universities, and development agencies.

Proposed Thematic Areas

It is proposed that the Pre-Forum sessions be organized into thematic sessions and roundtables as follows:

1. Cultural Heritage and Tourism Development

• Promotion of local cultural identity.
• Management of monuments and historic sites.
• Examples of regions where culture has served as a catalyst for development.
• Risks of the commercialization of cultural heritage.

2. Sustainable and Alternative Tourism

• Cultural itineraries.
• Thematic and experiential tourism.
• Linking culture with gastronomy, the environment, and local production.
• Extending the tourist season through cultural activities.

3. Cultural Associations and Local Communities

• The role of cultural associations in preserving intangible cultural heritage.
• Volunteerism and social cohesion.
• Engagement of the younger generation in culture.
• Transmission of knowledge and local memory.

4. Challenges and Impacts of Tourism Development

• Overtourism and pressure on local communities.
• Alteration of cultural characteristics.
• Issues of authenticity and cultural identity.
• Balance between economic activity and quality of life.

5. Digital Tools and Modern Possibilities

• Digital promotion of cultural activities.
• Use of technology to highlight cultural itineraries.
• Digital archives and documentation.
• New forms of participation and networking.

6. Culture, Education, and Youth

• Collaboration between cultural organizations and schools and universities.
• Educational programs on local history and traditions.
• Youth creativity and contemporary cultural expression.

7. Partnerships and Networking

• Collaboration between Federations and Regions.
• Interregional cultural collaborations.
• Joint initiatives and the exchange of best practices.
• Establishment of a permanent mechanism for communication and collaboration among Federations.

Format of Sessions

We hope that the proceedings of the Rhodes Pre-Forum 2026 will include, depending on participation and proposals:

• Keynote presentations
• Thematic panels
• Roundtables
• Presentations of best practices by federations and associations
• Presentations by representatives of local governments and universities
• Cultural presentations and exhibitions
• Visits to selected cultural and historical sites on Rhodes.

Organizational Guidelines for Participation

To ensure the smooth organization of the event, Federations and organizations wishing to participate are requested to submit (or complete the information already provided):

1. The organization’s registration form.
2. Details of representatives and accompanying persons.
3. Title and brief summary of any paper or presentation.
4. A description of any technical requirements for the presentation.
5. Potential interest in participating in a thematic session or roundtable.

Specifications for Presentations and Papers

To ensure quality and a smooth flow of proceedings, the following basic specifications are recommended:

• Presentations should be well-documented and clearly related to the Forum’s theme.
• The recommended duration for each presentation is 8–10 minutes, with the possibility of adjustment depending on the number of participants.
• Presentations should focus on actionable proposals, experiences, best practices, and factual data.
• PowerPoint presentations or audiovisual materials should be sent in a timely manner to the event secretariat.
• Priority will be given to presentations that foster substantive dialogue and the development of joint proposals.

Scientific and Institutional Support

The goal of the event is to foster a dialogue with a meaningful academic and social impact. For this reason, the following are scheduled to participate:

• representatives of the academic community,
• local government officials,
• experts in cultural management and sustainable tourism,
• professionals in the fields of culture and the creative economy,
• representatives of cultural organizations from all over Greece.

Thematic Approaches for Exploration

During the dialogue, it is proposed that the following questions, among others, be raised:

• How can culture serve as a tool for sustainable development rather than as a product of superficial consumption?
• How can the authenticity of local traditions be protected?
• How can cultural associations play a meaningful role in the design of cultural policies?
• How can cultural activities help extend the tourist season?
• What are the boundaries between the development and the distortion of a place’s identity?
• How can youth participation be strengthened?
• What role can regional and local governments play in fostering sustainable cultural partnerships?

Parallel Activities

As part of the Pre-Forum, the following are being considered:

• cultural exhibitions,
• presentations of local products,
• traditional and contemporary artistic events,
• cultural tours,
• youth and volunteer activities,
• networking among organizations from different regions.

Conclusion

The Federation of Cultural Associations of Rhodes believes that the Rhodes Pre-Forum 2026 can serve as a meaningful step toward dialogue, cooperation, and the collective development of proposals for the future of culture in the Greek regions.

At a time when local communities are called upon to strike a balance between development, the preservation of their identity, and contemporary challenges, cooperation among cultural organizations takes on particular significance.

Rhodes does not merely seek to host yet another event. It aims to create a meaningful space for the exchange of experiences, informed dialogue, and shared responsibility for culture, society, and the local community.