The Aegina Active Citizens’ Association’s active involvement with Capodistrias as a pioneer of European integration began on November 22, 2008, with a conference at the Danae Hotel in Aegina, entitled “Capodistrias-Spinelli-Europe.”

http://www.enouranois.eu/enouranois/european_integration/synedrio.htm  

The conference was attended by such prominent figures such as the ambassadors of Switzerland and Ukraine, the deputy director of the European Parliament Office in Greece, the Greek historian Andreas Koukos, the Swiss historian Michelle Bouvier-Bron, not to mention the then president (and current Vice-President) of the Association, Stratos Pantavos. To quote from the local press coverage of the time (by Marilena Giannouli):

https://www.enouranois.eu/enouranois/english/european_integration/Marilenagiannouli.htm

“Starting from the 18th century through Capodistrias, moving into the 20th century through Spinelli, and outlining the elements of today’s European dialogue, a dialogue was opened on the necessary future developments in Europe, using the ideas of these two historical figures as a starting point, benchmark, and model. It is significant that such a dialogue began in Aegina.

Altiero Spinelli played a leading role in the founding of the European Federalist Movement and exerted a powerful influence on the early decades of European integration following World War II. Later, he contributed to the relaunching of the integration process He served as a member of the European Commission for six years and as a member of the European Parliament for ten years, until his death. The main building of the European Parliament in Brussels bears his name.  However, in the light of current developments in the European Union—the rise of Euroscepticism, Britain’s withdrawal from the EU, the EU’s abandonment of its original declared mission to be a voice for peace — the advantages of a diplomatic reorientation toward the Global South today appear to be steadily gaining ground.

Greece is not located in the Global South, so that pursuing a reorientation toward such diplomacy is no easy task if undertaken from Greece. However, the historic leap forward

embodied by the Greek Revolution of the early 19th century and, above all, the political legacy of  Ioannis Capodistrias, are two factors that contribute to facilitation of such  realignment. Long before the founding of the European Union, Capodistrias championed the idea of a unified Europe based on shared cultural heritage, collective security, and mutual economic cooperation. During his tenure as Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, he  actively promoted a European confederation, envisioning a system in which European powers would settle their differences diplomatically through collective agreement rather than through war. He promoted inclusion of smaller, independent nations on an equal footing, viewing a balanced Europe as essential for the continent’s long-term stability.  In Switzerland, he helped mediate intense disputes between the Swiss cantons, drafting a federal constitution that balanced local autonomy with a strong central government. Today, his legacy as a “bridge-builder” between Eastern and Western Europe is honored across the continent and should be honored even more.

Aegina,  June 11, 2026