On Wednesday, November 6, Greece’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs will unveil its Strategic Plan for Hellenes Abroad 2024-2027.
The presentation, which will take place at the ‘Giannos Kranidiotis’ amphitheatre of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at 12pm (local time), will be attended by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The event will also be livestreamed on the Ministry’s official YouTube channel, enabling wider access to the launch.
The Strategic Plan, which was subject to public consultation last July, was introduced by Minister of Foreign Affairs Georgios Gerapetritis and Deputy Minister Georgios Kotsiras. The consultation invited feedback from expatriate communities and organisations.
The primary goal of the plan, as outlined by the Ministry, is to strengthen the relationship between Greece and its global diaspora. It aims to foster effective communication both ways, while reinforcing the presence and influence of the Greek community worldwide. The plan’s framework includes six strategic objectives, each with specific operational actions designed to engage and support Greeks living abroad.
While some expatriate organisations and individuals submitted feedback and proposals, responses from Australia appear to have been somewhat limited. Several suggestions were posted online, but it is clear that the level of participation from Australian Greek organisations was not as high as expected.
Though the Greek diaspora often expresses concerns that Greece overlooks its expatriates, it seems that Australian organisations were slow to engage with the public consultation. Among the few proposals from the region were submissions from the Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry National Federation and the Oceania SAE.
This response, or lack thereof, highlights the ongoing challenge of mobilising the Australian Greek community in discussions about Greece’s policies and engagement with its citizens abroad.
