Athens University joins effort to strengthen diaspora ties with Greece

Deputy Foreign Minister Giorgos Kotsiras and Athens University Rector Gerasimos Siassos have signed a cooperation protocol aimed at strengthening ties with the Greek diaspora and fostering synergies with Greek Studies programs abroad.

Signed on Tuesday, the agreement with this leading educational institution seeks to promote the teaching of the Greek language, history, and culture among the global Greek community. 

“This initiative leverages the network of our diplomatic and consular missions worldwide,” Kotsiras was quoted by the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA) as saying. He further emphasized the ministry’s aim “to engage the younger generation of the diaspora and Greek scientists working overseas.”

Kotsiras explained that the initiative is part of the Foreign Ministry’s strategic outreach plan for the Greek diaspora and builds on previous efforts to bolster Greek studies. 

“By joining forces with academic institutions in Greece and abroad and utilising modern digital tools, we are actively supporting Greek language learning and bringing the youth and scientists of the diaspora closer to Greece. This marks a significant institutional step toward developing a collaboration that benefits the academic community of our country, the Greek diaspora and Greece as a whole,” he noted.

Siassos, for his part, highlighted that the agreement also extends to non-Greeks with an interest in Greek language, history and culture, while enhancing Athens University’s ability to connect with Greek Studies chairs and centres abroad to “foster synergies.”

“The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, the first and largest university in the country, has hundreds of thousands of alumni who live and excel in numerous countries worldwide. Our collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will support the university’s ongoing efforts to reconnect with its alumni and simultaneously strengthen its network within the scientific diaspora,” he said, according to the AMNA.

Source: ekathimerini.com