Sani/Ikos Group supports the “Aristotle-Confucius Symposium on Ethics for the 21st Century” in Greece co-organized by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network

Thessaloniki, 10 July 2023 - The “Aristotle-Confucius Symposium on Ethics for the 21st Century” was held in Athens (3-5 July) and Thessaloniki (6-8 July), with the participation of top scholars from Greece, China, and other parts of the world. The Symposium was co-organized by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) and leading institutions from Greece and China, with the support of the Sani/Ikos Group as grand sponsor.

The Aristotle-Confucius Symposium was held for the second consecutive year in Greece to explore how we can build a new global ethics for the 21st century, one that addresses global challenges, like climate change and digital disruptions, while drawing on the ancient wisdom of Greece and China and the legacy of Aristotle and Confucius. A Steering Committee, chaired by Jeffrey Sachs, President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and University Professor at Columbia University, helped to prepare the academic program, that included ten thematic sessions, open discussions, cultural events, and visits to great cultural sites in Athens and Thessaloniki, like the ancient Stageira -birthplace of Aristotle- and the ancient Mieza.

Among the Symposium keynote speakers were Christos Zerefos, General Secretary of the Academy of Athens, Phoebe Koundouri, Professor at Athens University of Economics and Business and Technical University of Denmark, Co-Chair of UN SDSN Europe, Kostas Bakoyannis, Mayor of Athens, Dimitris Bourantonis, Rector of Athens University of Economic and Business, Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President of the European Commission, as well as top scholars and academics from Greek, US, Dutch, Austrian, Indian and other Universities, to discuss topics like “Political Excellence in Chinese and Greek Traditions”, “Ethics of the Digital Age”, “Economics in the Digital Age”, “Ethics and Business”, etc.

“As challenges and risks due to climate change and geopolitical instability are growing bigger, we need to adopt a robust long-term ESG strategy to address the demands of all stakeholders: governments, regulatory bodies, investors, global community. This is the only way forward. Our history and rich cultural heritage can be our guide and a beacon of inspiration in our path towards a better, fairer, and more sustainable future. We need significant initiatives like the “Symposium on Ancient Greek and Chinese Wisdom” that promote exchange of knowledge, open discussion, collaboration, and sustainable change. Committed to supporting such initiatives, the  Sani/Ikos Group decided to support the symposium for the second consecutive year”, said -during her speech- Eleni Andreadis, Sani/Ikos Group ESG & Corporate Responsibility Executive Director and member of the Greek Leadership Council of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network. 

Sani/Ikos Group has developed an ambitious ESG agenda, focusing on the sustainable, “green” operations of its resorts, the protection of the ecosystems and the support of local communities across its footprint. With significant investments in advanced technologies and practices, the Group has set a triple target for Net Zero by 2030, Zero-Plastic and Zero Waste to landfills by the end of 2024. The Group’s sustainability strategy is based on specific policies and targets in line with the UN 17 Sustainable Responsibility Goals 2030. Sani/Ikos Group has adopted over 100 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to monitor its ESG performance. It is a member of the United Nations Global Compact.

The “Aristotle-Confucius Symposium on Ethics for the 21st Century” was co-organized by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), the Academy of Athens, Interdisciplinary Centre for Aristotle Studies of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and China Confucius Foundation/Nishan World Center for Confucian Studies, under the auspices of the City of Athens, the Chinese Embassy of the Hellenic Republic, and the World Congress of Philosophy 2024.

More information about the Sani/Ikos Group annual ESG performance here.

About Sani/Ikos Group

The Sani/Ikos Group is an innovative and fast-growing group of luxury resorts in unique beachfront locations in the Mediterranean. Under the brand names Sani Resort and Ikos Resorts, the Group develops, owns and operates over 3,450 rooms and suites spread across 12 unique resorts in Greece and Spain, all ranked amongst the best luxury resorts in the world. The Group has secured additional projects of almost 1,000 rooms, suites and villas for further expansion of the Ikos brand in Greece (Crete) and Portugal (Algarve), with launch planned in 2025 while new destinations are being added in the pipeline. The Sani/Ikos Group aims to continue expanding the Sani Resort and Ikos Resorts brands in Greece and abroad, delivering unparalleled guest hospitality and experiences, as well as creating growth opportunities for its people, significant benefits for the ecosystems surrounding its resorts and value for its investors. As a leader in sustainable hospitality, the Group has an ambitious ESG agenda and is a member of the United Nations Global Compact. Formoreinformation, visithttps://www.saniikos.com/.