MANI: IDEAS FOR THE FORMULATION OF A COHERENT PLAN OF ACTION AND IMPLEMENTATION

The main article of the previous issue, which referred to the genomic origins and customary practices formed over centuries, concluded: Systematic genomic comparisons of contemporary individuals with scientifically documented genomes from racial groups that history has recorded as having settled in our region during the Middle Ages and mixed with its Eleutherolakonian inhabitants could lead to conclusions about behavioural tendencies created on the basis of these racial affinities. Most importantly, however, these comparisons of the inhabitants of modern Mani and those who emigrated, with the genome of inhabitants of the region from 3-4 centuries ago, will undoubtedly reveal the multifaceted common characteristics found throughout the entire geographical area. This element, now substantiated, should lead to common actions by individuals with Maniot genetic roots to successfully addressing future challenges related to the promotion of our region.

The groups of citizens who have in the past expressed themselves publically, incorporating the concept of unity over the past three decades and more, are attempting, with whatever means the circumstances allow, to promote these genetic and customary practices. In this way, there is also some softening of egocentric tendencies and a connection of individual benefit with the common developmental and cultural goals of Mani. Unfortunately, very few other actions moving in this direction have been recorded during the period in question. Only two are noteworthy, the first because it has a strong basis that can lead to efficiency and the second, despite its negative outcome, can serve as a model for opening dialogues between the various regions of Mani and synthesing views to create cohesive plans and find pathways for their implementation.

The first action concerns the renaming of the local Diocese from Diocese of Gytheio and Oitylo to Diocese of Mani, which emerged in 2010 following a decision by the Synod of the Hierarchy of the Church of Greece. It cannot be characterised as a typical action because its boundaries did not change. On the contrary, it was a significant event because it brought the concept of “Mani,” lost since the 9th century, back to the ecclesiastical forefront. Naturally, this provided the opportunity for the associative expansion of the new ecclesiastical name into the socio-political space of the area and its inhabitants, to our compatriots in the diaspora, and before the entire state territory. The renaming did not come easily. Besides the conscious will of our local social expressions and then archibishop Chrysostomos, it required substantiation with a well-documented memorandum on the historical origin of the name compiled by the late scholar Dikaios Vayiakakos, as well as support from many Maniots and Philomaniots in Athens.This project has a solid foundation for success.

The second action concerns the founding of the Development Company of Mani in 1996, with headquarters in Oitylo. It was a corporation with shareholders being the four Development Associations of our area, based in Kardamyli, Areopoli, Gytheio, and Agios Nikolaos Smynou respectively, and almost all local government organisations of Mani as members. Its founding and operational start arose as a necessary condition for claiming one of the three agrotourism programs with ΕU funding allocated to the Peloponnese, concerning socially homogeneous areas without urban centers. All preparatory actions, the creation of its legal entity, the gathering of share capital with shareholders being the four Development Associations and their member local government organisations, and the selection of private investors for agrotourism projects, were conducted in a spirit of absolute harmony with successive meetings of the coordinating group and the investment proposal evaluation group. Thus, the goal was achieved, and the initial allocation of EU and state funding amounting to 1.5 billion drachmas was approved, intended for cultural enhancement projects and privately subsidised agrotourism programs at 50%. Unfortunately, this substantial financial foundation and its intended autonomous management by the Company’s representatives were not well-received by the politicians. Consequently, the traditional internal conflicts and quarrels arose, resulting in the loss of 90% of the projected funding and the eventual dissolution of the Company! This project, despite its failure, offers a model for future dialogue and planning.

The combined impact of these two actions shows the potential for unified efforts across Mani and it could serve as a starting point for the joint activity of all micro-societies in the Mani region and their cultural expressions. In particular, the unifying force, which is inherent in the local ecclesiastical expression with the manifestation of the will to act, could unite the entire human potential of the area and our compatriots at home and abroad, for the promotion of common restructuring and developmental goals. The formation of such a roadmap, and only this one, could give substantial meaning to the concept of “Unified Mani,” which we all invoke.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

The science of Biology, and particularly its subfield Genetics, determines that every human being carries two types of traits during his/her lifetime: inherited and acquired. The inherited properties come from the interaction of genes contained in the father’s sperm and the mother’s egg when they combined to create the individual. The acquired are formed mostly during the early years of life through the interaction of each individual with the natural and man-made environment in which he/she grows up.

However, the genes of our parents contain properties and characteristics of two categories. Some are in harmony with the apparent characteristics of the parents, while others result from non-apparent traits, which are the recessive genetic factors. From the joining of sperm and egg during the creation of new life, it is equally likely that characteristics from both these groups of genes will appear. This possibility points to the research of the genome of our distant relatives from whom our parents inherited their genetic material. (Note that a genome is all the genetic material of each organism, while a gene is the basic physical unit of heredity in living organisms, part of the chromosome that passes on information about properties from one generation to the next). The logical analysis imposed by this cause ultimately leads to common racial characteristics of the population groups that have long inhabited each geographic area. The research process to identify these characteristics is generally difficult, but it is facilitated if the reference geographical areas are “closed,” i.e., if they have limited communication with other areas over long periods of time. This category also includes Mani, which for about four centuries before the creation of the modern Greek state, and for several decades afterwards, had limited communication with other regions. The mapping of the human genome, completed in recent decades, allows for the comparison of the genome of contemporary individuals with the genome of population groups that are believed to have contributed to its formation in distant periods of time, when they settled in these specific areas. However, a prerequisite for the reliability of the results of this comparison is a sound knowledge of the relevant historical data of each era combined with archaeological research that has led to the recording of genetic material from the bodily remains of individuals from those periods.

Moreover, in the creation of acquired traits, a dominant role is played by each child’s interactions with the environment in which he/she is raised, both the immediate and the wider family environment, as well as the physical space in which he/she develops. The influence of the customs and traditions of the society in which he/she lives, the language he/she first hears spoken, and in later years, the approach to the supernatural element through the religion embraced by his/her family environment also play a dominant role. According to more recent approaches of Sociobiology, a subfield of Biology, some acquired qualities can affect genes and become inheritable over a long-term perspective.

The long list of scientific opinions presented above is an attempt to substantiate the causes that created the common characteristics of the inhabitants of Mani, as they have appeared over the two centuries that they began to leave the region and integrate into the structures and functions of the modern Greek state. Throughout the 25-year publishing journey of MANIOT SOLIDARITY, aspects of these common characteristics have been presented in our columns, and we believe that our compatriot readers recognise some of their own traits in them. Among these common characteristics are the impulsive tendencies to accept or reject many of the ongoing socio-political developments.

Systematic genomic comparisons of contemporary individuals with scientifically documented genomes from racial groups that history has recorded as having settled in our region during the Middle Ages and mixed with its Eleutherolakonian inhabitants could lead to conclusions about behavioural tendencies created on the basis of these racial affinities. Most importantly, however, these comparisons of the inhabitants of modern Mani and those who emigrated, with the genome of inhabitants of the region from 3-4 centuries ago, will undoubtedly reveal the multifaceted common characteristics found throughout the entire geographical area. This element, now substantiated, should lead to common actions by individuals with Maniot genetic roots to successfully addressing future challenges related to the promotion of our region.

                                                                                                     THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Perhaps the title is a bit confusing. On one side, there is the pan-European parliamentary institution, and on the other, our small geographic area. However, a broader view finds connections in several issues. We will attempt to develop these further, starting with some general information.

    Among the European institutions, the European Council (usually at the level of ministers of the member states) and the European Commission (with one representative from each member state appointed by each government) have a dominant and decisive role. The European Parliament participates in the decisions of the two previous institutions, by giving its assent on matters of major importance and economic impact, that go as far as the approval of the President and all members of the European Commission. However, it also intervenes in all matters specified by the Treaties, which constitute the legal basis for the establishment and operation of the European Union, as well as for the main financial funds (the European Regional Development Fund (ΕΤΠΑ), the European Social Fund (ΕΚΤ), the Cohesion Fund (ΤΣ), the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (ΕΓΤΑΑ) and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (ΕΤΘΑ). These funds are used to finance the Community Support Frameworks (KΠΣ), which initially run for five years, as well as for Community Initiatives. Mani was included in two of these Community Initiatives: Leader II during the 1990s and the Integrated Rural Development Program (OXE) of Mani in the recent five-year period. Projects and works included in these initiatives were funded either from their own budgets or through the inclusion of selected projects and actions in the corresponding Community Support Framework (KΠΣ). We close this paragraph of general information by noting that the integration and financing of projects and works from the Community Support Frameworks are promoted either through the national level, which is managed by the respective ministries, or through the regional level, which is managed by the regions of the country.

    The geophysical, climatic, and cultural characteristics of Mani create by themselves a dynamic for development. Unfortunately, on their own, they are not sufficient for this dynamic to be practically expressed. A plan and a holistic approach are required to ensure that these developmental characteristics lead to the attraction of the necessary investments to yield economic benefits for Mani, its people, and the qualitative upgrade of its technical infrastructure. Unfortunately, private investments are promoted in an isolated and uncoordinated manner, while public investments are almost nonexistent. The planning and the holistic approach, as mentioned earlier, are lacking, and they do not generate the necessary impetus for public investments to respond to the dynamics created by the geolphysical space and private initiatives.

    The array of institutional expressions that guide financing, although complex and multi-layered, needs to be approached in order to transfer to it the right for the development of the region. The regional administration, ministries, MPs and MEPs (members of parliament and members of the European Parliament), who distribute the financing of public investments, are elected, and promote the region’s development rights, especially during critical pre-election periods, can be a first step towards positive prospects in the future.

    Unfortunately, a historical review leads to disappointing conclusions. We have failed even in managing the specialised funding for our region from the two Community Initiatives mentioned earlier. A large portion of their initial budgets was recalled, anticipated projects and works were detached, and the resulting benefits have not had a significant impact.

    The upcoming European elections are another opportunity to create a favourable climate for the region at the European level. The selection of candidates who have knowledge and experience related to development and who understand the qualitative characteristics of our region can create a favourable atmosphere that can be exploited in the future. Planning and a holistic approach are prerequisites for any effective approach. The advocacy line followed so far by the representatives of the region, due to its fragmented nature, has not yielded results. It is time to understand that the necessary reflection needs to be generated to revise it. It has been proven that advocating for one’s village, narrow geographical area, or municipality does not lead to public investments that will complement the significantly promoted private investments. A joint plan and joint proposals to regional administration, central government, MPs and MEPs can be the only path to attract funding. And then, we should learn to maximise their returns, with organisation and without internal competitions and selective allocations of funding.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD