International Archaeological Conference

International Archaeological Conference: "Eleytherna, Crete and the outside world"

In the framework of the international archaeological conference held in Rethymnon on the subject: “Eleftherna, Crete and the outside world”, an important announcement was made by the newly founded "Nikos Daskalantonakis-NDF" Public Benefit Organization. The President of the Grecotel Group is true to his commitment as he had announced it at a similar event about a year ago: The charitable organization has been established, in order to continue his contribution to tourism, education and culture.

In particular, the NDF Public Benefit Organization will have three pillars: The first pillar will involve scholarships, the second the “Eleftherna and Culture” axis and the third “the primary development and tourism”.

Regarding the scholarships, they will mainly cover studies in tourism but not exclusively. For the academic year 2018-2019 ten scholarships have been awarded.

It is no coincidence that the establishment of the charitable Organization and the launching of its actions were announced at the Eleftherna Conference. Mr. Daskalantonakis has offered more then enough and has supported economically both excavations in Eleftherna and the creation of the Museum of Ancient Eleftherna.

In the presence of Mr. Daskalantonakis, the Director of the newly founded charitable Organization, Mr. Dimitris Stebis has made the following announcements: “First of all, I would like to thank Prof. Nikos Stambolidis and the organizing committee of the international archaeological conference “Eleftherna, Crete and the outside world” for this special honor to announce for the first time the foundation the Nikos Daskalantonakis-NDF Public Benefit Organization from the stage of such an important scientific and cultural event.

His founder and chairman, Mr. Nikos Daskalantonakis, for those who are fortunate enough to know him, through his career and hard work confirms what Pantelis Prevelakis describes in the Chronicle of a State: "The citizens of Rethymnon are good people, modest and at the same time proud, well-educated and good-natured”. Based on these qualities and respecting tradition, cultural heritage and the local particularities and making the start in his birthplace, Rethymnon, he realized his vision with the establishment of this institution of culture and development with the sole purpose of offering to his place and his people.

This "gift of kindness", as he usually uses puts it, does not begin today. The foundation we announce tonight is the construction built on the foundations of the social sensibility shown by its founder and the Grecotel Group for decades. Contributing to our fellow human beings and our fellow citizens in these harsh times of the crisis has in fact been evolved from charity to sacred duty.

The successful course of more than 50 years in the business sphere has taught him, and he is also deluding himself that support for the country's productive forces and the promotion of innovative ideas is the future. And the protagonists in this future are the young generation with respect and knowledge of history, culture and tradition.

Based on these fundamental principles and values, the newly established organization, Nikos Daskalantonakis, plans its action on three main pillars:

Scholarship training with more significant action. For the academic year 2018-2019, ten scholarships will be announced in the coming days with a focus on tourism studies.
Culture with the continuation of support for the promotion of Eleftherna in an international cultural destination, as well as other actions. In this context, two of the fellowships will be related to culture and archeology.
Primary development, with the support of producers and the promotion of local products. Also, under this axis, a scholarship will be awarded for studies on the interface between primary development and tourism, while contributing to the dialogue on a modern model of sustainable development.

Finally, the Foundation aims, through its actions, to stand up to the healthy forces of the place and to make the social service synonymous with progress and progress. "