Governmental meeting in Cyprus for drowning prevention
The actions of SWS were presented on Tuesday July 18, 2023, at the Presidential Palace during a governmental meeting led by Deputy Minister to the President, Mrs. Eirini Piki.
Representatives from the following Ministries participated in the meeting: Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Justice & Public Order, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Transport, Communications & Works, Ministry of Health, Deputy Ministry of Shipping, and the Deputy Ministry of Tourism.
During the meeting, Mr. Panagiotis Paschalakis, the President of SafeWaterSports, presented in detail the initiatives undertaken by the organization (at no cost to society and the state) in Greece, in collaboration with ministries and stakeholders from the broader public and private sectors.
Particular emphasis was placed on the following initiatives that Cyprus could adopt:
• The Information System of controls and inspections, which the organization has created and provides to the Hellenic Coast Guard (Greece) and the Cyprus Ports Police through a signed Memorandum of Cooperation with the Cyprus Ports Police (2018).
• The Accident Observatory for recording and statistical analysis of drownings, fatal accidents, and injuries occurring in aquatic environments.
• The legislative framework and regulations on safety that the organization has contributed to.
• The educational program developed for kindergartens, primary, and secondary education in Greece, which has also been approved by the Ministry of Education of Cyprus (2019) for primary education.
• The Safe Water Sports app.
• The awareness campaign for the safety of senior citizens.
• Other informative initiatives undertaken in Greece aimed at water safety.
Mr. Paschalakis, the President of SafeWaterSports, stated in his presentation: "The protection of human life in aquatic environments has been, is, and must be a priority for all of us. The organization's goal is to implement a series of initiatives with the primary purpose of preventing and reducing accidents and drownings not only in the seas of Greece but also in Cyprus."