Volunteers from the New Acropolis School of Philosophy in Spain and volunteers from GEA joined forces this summer to participate in the Conference on Hydrological Risks, a theoretical and practical meeting held in Syracuse, Italy. The event brought together experts, organisations and volunteers from New Acropolis from 21 European countries with the aim of analysing and addressing the growing threat of extreme hydrological phenomena.

The conference focused on training and preparedness for risks such as floods and flash floods, which are expected to become more frequent and intense due to climate change.

Over the course of three days, participants were able to deepen their knowledge through theoretical sessions and, more importantly, put essential emergency response skills into practice.

GEA and New Acropolis emphasise the importance of prevention and training as key tools for mitigating the impact of these disasters.

‘As this situation reminds us, preparedness is not optional, it is a vital necessity in a world where the climate is changing so rapidly. Thanks to these workshops, we now have the knowledge and techniques to better prepare our community for future hydrological risks.’

The participation of GEA and New Acropolis in this international meeting reinforced their commitment to the safety and well-being of the population, as well as their active role in promoting a culture of prevention and collaboration between entities to address current environmental challenges.

In Barcelona, we had the pleasure of speaking with an Acropolis volunteer who participated in these workshops and shared his experience with us.

“It was truly a privilege to attend this meeting. It far exceeded my expectations, both in terms of the training on self-rescue in water emergencies and the impeccable organisation and experience itself.

Above all, there was an atmosphere of fraternity and unity, so characteristic of New Acropolis. The enthusiasm generated by these workshops awakened in me the desire and vocation to be of service to others, both in catastrophic situations and in everyday life. When one has soul experiences, that is, such profound experiences, a direct connection is created with the need to help humanity.

I am grateful to New Acropolis and Gea for giving us the opportunity to prepare ourselves and be useful to others.”