First Greek Youth Diaspora Symposium took place in Athens

A new initiative by the Foreign Ministry that is part of broader efforts to strengthen ties between Greece and communities of Greeks abroad, took place in Athens on November 27 and 28.

The first Greek Youth Diaspora Symposium, titled “Diaspora Dialogues: Connecting Young Voices around the World,” was hosted by the Hellenic Cosmos cultural center in the district of Tavros, under auspices of the ministry’s General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy.

This event brings together young men and women, aged from 18 to 25, with Greek roots from all over the world who are discussing how their respective communities can create new paths of cooperation between one another, but also to forge a closer relationship with Greece. The meeting also addresses issues like protecting cultural heritage. 

Deputy Foreign Minister George Kotsiras, speaking on Wednesday at the Greek Youth Diaspora Symposium “Diaspora Dialogues: Connecting Young Voices around the World,” emphasised the importance of strengthening ties between the new generation of the Diaspora and Greece.

He highlighted that the Foreign Ministry’s strategic plan for the Greek Diaspora includes actions aimed at creating communication channels and intensifying dialogue with the new generation of the Diaspora. Kotsiras pointed out that, thanks to the hosting programs organized by the

Ministry, young Greeks from all over the world are combining their participation in the conference with activities related to Greek culture and language. He also stressed that the Greek Diaspora is a huge national asset.

Deputy Foreign Minister George Kotsiras presented οn Tuesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ 2024-2027 Strategic Plan for the Greek Diaspora to the Special Permanent Committee on Greeks Abroad.

Kotsiras emphasized that, for the first time, Greece is developing a horizontal, coordinated, and comprehensive strategy for the Diaspora with a long-term horizon.

He highlighted that the plan builds upon a series of initiatives reflecting the government’s genuine interest in the Diaspora, including the removal of barriers to voting for Greeks abroad and the introduction of absentee voting.

Kotsiras described the Strategic Plan, developed following extensive consultation and recently presented at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, as “a significant first national step” to bring the Greek Diaspora closer to Greece.

The plan also includes initiatives such as the digital transformation of consular services, the expansion of the online Greek language learning platform (staellinika.com), the increase in summer hosting programs for expatriates, and the promotion of collaboration between Greek and foreign universities. Kotsiras particularly emphasised actions to attract the scientific diaspora and the “brain drain” generation.

Source: ekathimerini.com