2,500 years ago, Pindar called Delos “the dark earth’s far-seen star.” Today, ALPHA MISSION – ΔELOS gives that image new meaning, reminding us that stars and earth, ancient wisdom and modern science, are all part of one connected story.

Human health and planetary health are inseparable, and the way we do research, shape policy and take action needs to reflect that. That was the thread running through the 6th ALPHA MISSION – ΔELOS Global Gathering, held on May 16 and 17 in Mykonos and on Delos – an island that has carried the legacy of human civilisation since antiquity and is now facing the consequences of the climate crisis, including rising sea levels. 

The open event at Mykonos was warmly received by local residents. Speaking at the Manto Cinema, the Director of NCSR Demokritos Vangelis Karkaletsis underlined what this moment demands of research institutions: to connect disciplines, bridge institutions and treat human health and planetary health as one system. Keynote talks were given by Demosthenis Sarigiannis (National Research Foundation / AUTH), Vassilis Lambrinoudakis (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens) and Stamatios (Tom) Krimigis (Johns Hopkins / Academy of Athens), introduced by Demetris Athanasoulis (Director, Ephorate of Antiquities of Cyclades) and Nikos Sergis (CEO, Hellenic Space Centre). The evening opened with remarks by Alexandra Mitsotaki (President & Co-Founder, World Human Forum), Dimitris Papastergiou (Minister of Digital Governance) and Christos Veronis (Mayor of Mykonos) and concluded with a screening of the award-winning film/concert The [Uncertain] Four Seasons.

On Sunday, the conversation moved to the ancient theatre of Delos, with scientists, architects and artists approaching the same question from every angle. Speakers were Daniel A. Barber (Eindhoven University of Technology), Alexander Choukér (University Hospital Munich), Adrianos Golemis (Astronaut in Training / Hellenic Space Center / European Space Agency), Niki Evelpidou (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens), Athena Kousteni, Yadvinder Malhi (University of Oxford), Jacob Moe (Founder & Director, Archipelago Network), Alexis Paterson (University of Oxford) and Jochen Sandig (Co-Founder & Vice President, World Human Forum).

The meeting closed with a concert – lyra and violin over the Aegean – and a message shared by all participants: “Planet Earth is blue and we can still do something about it.”

As a founding partner of ALPHA MISSION – ΔELOS, NCSR “Demokritos” stands alongside the World Human Forum, the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Cyclades and the Hellenic Space Center in keeping this conversation alive and grounded in science. From Apollo and Artemis to today’s NASA Artemis mission, Delos has always been a bridge between myth and exploration. The work of Demokritos contributes to that same vision, helping build a civilization that cherishes the pale blue dot, the only home we’ve ever known.