ATHENS – Greek News USA
A Protocol of Cooperation was signed today, January 14, by Deputy Foreign Minister Giorgos Kotsiras and the Rector of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Gerasimos Siasos, aimed at strengthening Greek language, history and culture and approaching the Greek Diaspora jointly, with a focus on the younger generation.
“Thanks to our collaboration with such a top-tier educational institution as the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and making the most of our global network of diplomatic and consular authorities, we have expanded our initiatives to promote the teaching of the Greek language, Greek history and culture globally and to attract Diaspora youth and Greek scientists working abroad”, said Kotsiras adding that this initiative is part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Strategic Plan for Greeks Abroad and follows a number of actions aimed at strengthening Greek studies and approaching both the younger generation and the Greek Diaspora.
“By joining forces with academic organisations in Greece and abroad, and by leveraging modern digital tools, we actively support Greek language learning and foster closer connections among young people and scientists from the Diaspora and Greece. This is a vital step towards a partnership that will benefit Greece’s academic environment, the Greek Diaspora and our country overall”, Deputy Foreign Minister stated.
Characterizing the collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as vital, NKUA Rector Siasos said that “it will enable the promotion of joint State-NKUA actions to teach Greek language, history and culture to Greeks of the diaspora and philhellenes. In addition, it will contribute to the connection between Chairs and Centres of Greek Studies abroad with the University and the promotion of synergies in Greek Studies and Humanities”
As Greece’s first and largest University, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens boasts hundreds of thousands of distinguished graduates who live and work in numerous countries abroad.
“Our collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will contribute to our University’s ongoing efforts to reconnect with our graduates [thousands of them living and working in numerous countries abroad] and concurrently strengthen networking with the scientific diaspora”, he added, thanking Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, a Professor of Law at NKUA and Deputy Minister Giorgos Kotsiras [who holds a PhD from NKUA’s Law School] for the excellent cooperation.
“The University and the State are joining forces to educate and connect with the Greek Diaspora”, he concluded.
Within the framework of the Protocol of Cooperation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens are to undertake joint initiatives to promote Greek learning among Diaspora Greeks and philhellenes through Greek language, history and culture educational programmes and actions. Interconnections between the NKUA and chairs and centres of Greek Studies abroad will also promote synergies in the field of Greek Studies. Finally, the cooperation aims to strengthen relations between Greece and its scientific Diaspora by establishing a digital platform to connect NKUA graduates working or otherwise active abroad, network Greek scientists beyond Greece with the NKUA scholarly community, and make the most of their know-how, experience and skills.
Attending on behalf of the Ministry were the Secretary General for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy, Maira Myrogianni, and the Director General for Public Diplomacy, Aikaterini Koika.
Attending on behalf of the University of Athens were the Vice-Rector for Academic and International Affairs and Openness, Professor Sophia Papaioannou, and the Vice-Rector for Financial Affairs and Development, Professor Aristeidis Samitas.
