NEW YORK, NY –
The East Mediterranean Business Culture Alliance [EMBCA] “2nd Nostos and Citizenship for Hellenic Adoptees” Webinar Panel Discussion on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at 2 P.M. EST / 9 P.M. Athens EEST.
The event will be introduced and moderated by Lou Katsos, EMBCA’s President/Founder.
The distinguished panel includes Author/ Professor Gonda Van Steen the Koraes Chair in the Centre for Hellenic Studies and the Department of Classics at King’s College; State Senator of Rhodes Island and President of the World Inter-Parliamentary Association (WHIA) Lou Raptakis; AHEPA Supreme Vice President Chris Kaitson; Gregory Kontos the Founder of Greekancestry; and Author Dr. Mary Cardaras Director of The Demos Center in Athens.
“In the 1950s and 1960s, thousands of Hellenic children, many orphaned or from impoverished families, were adopted abroad, often under questionable circumstances. While some found stability, many lost their cultural heritage, language, and identity”, notes Lou Katsos, adding that “today, many adoptees seek reconnection through nostos, the longing for home, by tracing their roots and pursuing Hellenic citizenship. However, Hellenic citizenship restoration remains complex due to missing or inaccessible records”.
“Despite modern legal provisions, adoptees face significant challenges in proving lineage. Advocacy efforts, led by scholars like Van Steen and Cardaras, have pushed for streamlined legal pathways, urging the Hellenic government to act. This discussion will examine the legal, emotional, and cultural aspects of this issue, shedding light on a historical injustice and the ongoing fight for recognition”, he says.
Join us as we explore citizenship for Hellenic adoptees, and the latest on a historic and shameful travesty that must be eliminated.
