The Sustainable Island Association celebrated its 2nd birthday last night. Everyone was welcome to join Irena Dorić and her guests Veselka Huljić and Giordana Barbarić at the reception hall in Jelsa. We were there to witness this beautiful event of enthusiasm and positive energy, which is a breath of fresh air for Jelsa.
After a short introduction of herself and the association, Irena presented the work of the association in those last 2 years, with various educational, environmental and otherwise socially beneficial projects throughout the island. Irena was talking about vision, goals and dreams for the association, while giving us positive examples of what can be done, when enough people make up their mind and work towards a common goal.
One of these examples was the Most Association from Split, who was represented by its director Giordana Barbarić. A truly fascinating presentation of their work in those 17 years. Helping kids, teenagers and young adults staying out of trouble, carrying for people without a roof above their heads and much more through activism, fund raising and a good deal of endurance, patience and much love. A truly inspiring presentation.
After Giordana, Veselka Huljic from Croactive Holidays gave her presentation about the changing trends in tourism and its impact on the island. I was only able to listen to the first few minutes of her presentation and then had to follow the most fundamental principles of the sustainability of the island and leave to take care for our future – for a really tired 4 year old, who needed to get to bed.
I am personally very thankful to Irena for starting the association and for being so enthusiastic and full of energy and getting so many people from different parts of the island together. Irena called for our help last night as the association is on a crossroad these days. It can either grow and become something really significant or stagnate and fail to fulfil its vision. New members are wanted. Anyone, who would like to invest his/her time and feels there is something to prove his/her skills, volunteer or help the association in any other way is very welcome.
You can follow the Sustainable Island Association on Facebook and contact Irena Dorić for further details.
