I am Panos Demetriou. I studied Business Administration and then following my heart, I obtained a master’s degree Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management at University of York, in the UK. During my free time I like playing chess, photography and travelling.

 

I am a youth worker and volunteer. Currently, I am a volunteer at YEU Cyprus, board member of the Youth Center of People with Hearing Loss (under KOKEN organization), and board member and Head of Corporate Social Responsibility of Together Cyprus.

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I am running my own Facebook blog page called CSR Store. It is a page with news about sustainable development and my opinion regarding corporate social responsibility and sustainable development. Furthermore, at Together Cyprus, we run annually the campaign Let’s Do it Cyprus. This to change our behavior toward the environment and the landscape, by keeping it clean, collecting our rubbish every time we go out to the nature (or around town) with friends and family. The project Let’s Do it Cyprus focuses mostly to the goal number 13 ‘Climate Change’. However, during the preparation, and of course after the finish of the project, we further contribute to the goal number 4 ‘Quality Education’, number 17 ‘Partnerships for the Goals’, and number 14 Life Below Water.

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I think all the goals are equally important for both individuals and organizations. However, each organization should draw which SDGs are best suitable base on the organization performance and product cycle. For individuals, we may try to see how we live and if we can change something to our behavior e.g., recycle our rubbish or buying economical friendly products. Doing so, we achieve a small contribution to SDGs goals but a big contribution to society!

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As for drawing more attention around the SDG's, in my opinion companies, NGOs and government should work harder to promote them to the people of Cyprus by implementing projects which directly benefit the society, using corporate volunteering. For example, because of the pandemic, working from home is the new trend. Companies and government should take the opportunity to establish work from home. Even after the end of pandemic, such an action will improve standard of living of people (especially for the employees who are parents). Furthermore, working from home will give the opportunity to people with fewer opportunities such people with disabilities. Such action are linked with SDGs. Spreading awareness of such a project, explaining how it is linked with SDGs and what are the benefits for the people, will allow people to understand the philosophy of SDGs.

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In the end, I am positive about achieving the SDG's until 2030. In Cyprus, there are a lot to be done. Yet, I am optimistic that it is possible. In global level, we achieve a lot: improving the standard of living of people, giving to more people access to health care and education, better than ever before.

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Which of the SDG's would need more action and attention from the people in Cyprus (both individuals and organizations)?

 

Regarding the current situation in Cyprus and the pandemic, some goals of SDGs are more important than ever before. For example, because of the impact of pandemic, weaknesses to the educational system arise. For instance, requirements of Goal 4 ‘Education for all’ have high success scores. However, as a society with the contribution of the Government, we need to establish a more efficient educational system to primary and secondary schools which absorb the technological advantage of distance learning.

 

The same argument above is linked with goal number 8 ‘Decent Work and Economic Growth’. Cyprus, the last years, showed extremely good economic achievements following the economy crisis of 2008- 2013. However, we need to establish new frameworks for the economic sectors of the country. We need to increase the capapilities of our economy. To do so we should design and implement new opportunities for the primary and secondary sector of our economy. The economic growth of Cyprus economy should not only rely on the third sector, such as which are hotel industry and financial services. Implementing plans and giving support to primary and secondary sectors of the country will assist not only to have more fair contribution of the wealth among the population but also other goals of SDGs like number 2 ‘Zero Hunger’ and number 3 ‘ Good Health and Well Being’ will be improved. Finally, as a country we have a huge problem regarding environmental issues such us traffic problem. Thereby it is a good opportunity to solve it with smart solutions which to contribute to the goals of number 13 ‘Climate Change’ and number 11 ‘Sustainable Cities and Communities’.

 

From a personal point of view, what SDGs do you feel the most strongly connected to and why?  

 

As I said above all the goals are equally important because any positive or negative impact toward a specific goal affect the performance of another goal. However, I believe the most important goal is number 17 “Partnership for the goals” because to achieve any goal there is partnership between society, NGOs, Governments and Companies.

 

 

Do you have any other suggestions/recommendations for the people that are reading this interview regarding the SDG's?  

 

For individuals, be curious and proactive. Think and contribute on how we can save our planet and mitigate the problems to the society. Don’t give up. Even the smallest contribution towards SDGs goals has a big impact for a better society. For companies, you should start investing in people and look beyond the near future by implementing projects with big impact to the society. At the end of the day if you are patient enough your company will get positive recognition, boosting your reputation and bring new customers.