From the Past to the Present
On Friday, 24 April 2026, the 14th Panhellenic Conference of Maritime Museums was held at the Hellenic Maritime Museum.
The conference, entitled “From the Past to the Present: Contemporary Museum Practices in the Presentation of Maritime Cultural Heritage,” highlighted the critical role of maritime museums as living institutions of memory, education, and cultural continuity.
Among the speakers at the conference was the IMO Maritime Ambassador to Greece, Mr. Dimitriadis-Evgenidis, who focused on linking maritime heritage with the contemporary needs of education and the shipping industry.
Particular emphasis was placed on the fact that, for Greece, shipping is not merely an economic sector but a cornerstone of its historical and developmental identity.
Within the modern context of rapid technological, energy, and geopolitical changes, a central challenge identified was the skills gap and the need for a meaningful connection between knowledge and practice. In this framework, the role of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) was highlighted as decisive, both in shaping international policies for sustainable shipping and in promoting maritime education and professional awareness among young people.
Finally, Mr. Dimitriadis-Evgenidis emphasized that attracting pupils, students, and young scientists to the maritime sector cannot rely solely on technical training, but requires an understanding of the sector’s values, responsibilities, and international role.
