Ioannis Ktistakis, an Associated Professor of Law at Democritus University in Thrace, has been elected as judge to the European Court of Human Rights.
He was elected by the Council’s Parliamentary Assembly (PACE).
“Ktistakis, having obtained an absolute majority of votes cast, is elected judge of the European Court of Human Rights for a term of office of nine years, which shall commence no later than three months after his election,” the Council announced in a statement.
Greek lawyer Ioannis Ktistakis. Credit: www.ktistakislaw.com/
Ktistakis is also chief legal counsel to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, in Istanbul.
Judges are elected by PACE from a list of three candidates nominated by each State which has ratified the European Convention on Human Rights.
Also, Despina Chatzivassiliou-Tsovilis, a lawyer and a long-time employee of the Council of Europe was elected General Secretary of the Parliamentary Assembly on Tuesday.
Holocaust Remembrance Day, which observes the 76th anniversary of the liberation of the brutal extermination camp Auschwitz, was marked by Greek leaders on Wednesday.
Greek President, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, laid a wreath on Athens’ Holocaust Memorial and later gave a speech, emphasising that memory of the crimes committed by the Nazis during the Holocaust was necessary to prevent “the onslaught of evil.”
“The Holocaust is the most extreme manifestation of evil in human history and the most painful legacy of the twentieth century,” Sakellaropoulou said in her speech.
“Cultivating historical memory, safeguarding [society] against hate speech and being vigilant in safeguarding democracy and human value are a bulwark against the onslaught of evil.”
For his part, Greece’s Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, met with the first-ever Jewish Mayor of Greece, the Mayor of Ioannina, Moses Elisaf, to mark the occasion.
Greece’s Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, met with the first-ever Jewish Mayor of Greece, Moses Elisaf.
Mr Elisaf briefed Mitsotakis on the history of the Israeli communities of Epirus, making special mention of those who survived the atrocity of the Nazis, among them his 97-year-old aunt, Chrysoula Elisaf.
Mitsotakis later called for vigilance against ‘absolute evil’ on Twitter.
Στο Άουσβιτς δολοφονήθηκε η ελευθερία, η λογική, η αξιοπρέπεια. Η ίδια η φύση του ανθρώπου. Τιμούμε τη μνήμη των Εβραίων και ιδιαίτερα των συμπατριωτών μας που χάθηκαν στο Ολοκαύτωμα. Η μνήμη γίνεται συνεχής επαγρύπνηση και δράση ενάντια στο Απόλυτο Κακό. #HolocaustRemembranceDaypic.twitter.com/2zQp7omkv3
“Freedom, reason and dignity… The very nature of man were murdered at Auschwitz,” Mitsotakis tweeted.
“We honor the memory of Jews and particularly of Greek Jews that lost their lives in the Holocaust. Memory must translate into constant vigilance and action against the Absolute Evil.”
The COVID Performance Index compiled by the Lowy Institute ranked 98 countries’ handling of the COVID-19 outbreak, finding Australia and Cyprus performed in the top ten while Greece is lagging behind significantly.
Cyprus and Australia were ranked 5th and 8th respectively, while Greece sits in 32nd place.
This news comes as a shock to many as early in the pandemic Greece was hailed as a leader in handling the coronavirus pandemic, with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis even holding a meeting with other “successful” world leaders back in May 2020 to share the country’s pandemic response.
Democracies have performed slightly better over the course of the pandemic. CREDIT: LOWY INSTITUTE.
Turns out New Zealand, closely followed by Vietnam and Thailand, were actually the countries which came out on top, while the United States was the fifth-worst performing country.
In their report, the Lowy Institute reveal that smaller populations, cohesive societies and capable institutions were big factors in successfully dealing with the pandemic.
Countries with populations of fewer than 10 million people consistently outperformed large nations throughout 2020, although this lead narrowed slightly towards the end of the 2020.
One of the authors of the study, Hervé Lemahieu, added that the research also disproved the claim that authoritarian regimes had an advantage in handling the global pandemic. Democracies actually slightly outperformed authoritarian countries in suppressing the coronavirus.
“We’ve had this sweeping narrative take hold about the inherent superiority of societies and different political systems, and for the most part we’re saying that is bollocks,” Mr Lemahieu said.
Smaller countries were able to “ring fence” their populations, Mr Lemahieu said, while their larger counterparts had issues in being able to close external and internal borders.
“Also, countries with smaller populations may well have stronger social contracts between governments and citizenry and greater levels of trust in governments,” he said.
The study measured a number of key indicators including confirmed cases, deaths, cases per million people, deaths per million people and cases a proportion of tests. China was not included because all of its testing rates are not publicly available.
On January 26th more than 840 Australians, among them six of Greek heritage, who were recognised for their outstanding and inspirational services to the country.
Michael Panormitis Pakakis, was one of them.
“I was born in Rhodes in 1962 and I migrated to Australia with my parents when I was thirteen months old,” Michael Panormitis Pakakis AM, tells The Greek Herald as he explains how he decided to become a STEM educator.
“I had no siblings or family in Australia and during my childhood I used to spend a lot of time alone watching science fiction TV series or reading books while my parents were at work. My mum was a seamstress and my dad a toolmaker.
“Books were what sparked my interest in science and when the Americans landed on the moon in July 20, 1969, I told my dad I wanted to do something related to science.”
So, he did. But knowledge is just information if it’s not passed on and for Michael teaching came naturally.
“I used to be a tutor during my studies and I enjoyed it. Then I became a teacher. I’ve been teaching since 1985 and I really enjoy what I do,” Michael says
Recognised as a leader in STEM education, Michael is the Director of the Victorian Space Science Education Centre (VSSEC) in Victoria’s Strathmore Secondary College and works closely with the Education Heads of NASA (Ames Research Centre), The European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to develop STEM teaching resources.
We welcomed thousands of students to the centre and delivered outreach programs to thousands more across the state. pic.twitter.com/BG1XavC0KJ
“During my first years in teaching, I taught disadvantaged kids from migrant and refugee backgrounds, often with poor English and learning difficulties.
“I used to tell them that I am a migrant too and they can achieve anything they dream of, if they put some effort in. I wanted to be a role model for them,” Mr Pakakis says.
Asked what his motto is he pauses for a second.
“It’s one that NASA instils in all astronauts.
“Failure is not an option. Perseverance is the only option. I think this says it all,” he concludes.
Two incredible young Greek Australians have been recognised for their contributions to the community, winning their local council’s respective ‘Young Citizen of the Year’ awards.
Deni Eleftheriadis, of South Australia’s Berri Barmera Council, and Aidan Dimitriadis, of Victoria’s Boroondara Council, were presented the awards during Australia Day ceremonies.
Speaking exclusively to The Greek Herald, Deni said it was an “honour and a privilege” to be recognised for something she enjoys doing.
“I feel like a lot of the time with volunteering you get back a lot more than what you put out and it’s really rewarding to be able to be recognised,” Deni said to The Greek Herald.
Deni Eleftheriadis accepting her award. Photo: Cathy LeMaistre, communications administration officer for Berri Barmera Council.
Deni works with primary schools where she mentors younger students to improve connection and a sense of positive wellbeing including transition into high school. She regularly updates her peers by addressing students at school assemblies with updates of the progress of the Our Town project and building on community awareness for mental health.
An active member of the community, she also works closely with her school and greater community in developing a long-term mental health plan. Deni said it’s incredible she’s been given the opportunity to “make a change”.
“It’s very touching and rewarding to know that I can do something to further progress in reducing the stigma around mental health,” Deni said.
“It’s something that I’ve always been passionate about since I was a very young age.”
Despite only being in Year 5, Aidan Dimitriadis has spent nearly half his life giving back to his community.
Photo: Boroondara Council
Aidan volunteers at Four Golden Hearts, a group that supports local families. His “Build Anything, Be Anything by Aidan” campaign has provided hundreds of packs of Lego to children in need.
In addition to his own campaign, Aidan helps sort and pack toiletries, clothing and toys for those in need and for charities such as St Kilda Mums and Backpacks 4 VIC Kids Melbourne. He is also involved in an annual “Coats of Kids” campaign, which he has run through his school to donate winter clothing for children in need.
Aidan was applauded for showing exceptional leadership and commitment towards improving the lives of others.
Multiple Greek yoghurt products have returned to Australian hands following Bega Cheese’s takeover of Japanese-owned Lion’s Dairy and Drinks division.
The $534 million deal means brands like Big M, Dare, Farmers Union, Pura, Dairy Farmers, Yoplait, Daily Juice, Berri and The Juice Brothers will now be all manufactured in Australia.
Speaking to News Corp Australia, Bega Cheese chairman Barry Irvin said the deal marks a new chapter for the business, which was traditionally focused on longer shelf-life products such as infant formula, milk powder and cream cheese.
“What we’re quite excited about is the yoghurt business, so the Yoplait and Farmers Union Greek Style brands we’ve acquired,” Mr Irvin said.
“We think there’s great opportunity to add additional varieties and convenient packs, and to offer products to different age ranges in a healthy way which we are already doing but will look to expand.”
“So our biggest thing is trying to deliver natural products … that are good for consumers in a form that they most desire,” he said.
The Farmers Union Greek Style yoghurts are some of the most yoghurt products in Australia. In 2018, the Farmers Union Greek Style All Natural Yogurt was named one of the best yoghurts on the market by the Australian consumer advocacy group CHOICE.
Mr Irvin said Bega Cheese would also look at expanding the international presence of it’s newly-acquired products in the future, but said there were challenges given their shorter shelf life.
The deal is said to bring more than 2000 workers to Bega Cheese’s workforce.
The Macquarie Greek Studies Foundation Limited will be holding an open forum on the 11th of February, at 7.pm, for Greek organisations and individuals to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Modern Greek Studies this year.
The Foundation’s President Theo Premetis said that due to the pandemic, universities have embarked on a policy of reduction in subjects offered as a cost cutting exercise.
“Macquarie University has made difficult and challenging decisions concerning the viability of some courses aiming to mitigate the impact on staff and students,” Premetis said in an open letter.
“The continuation and the security of learning and teaching Greek language at Macquarie University is of utmost importance.”
“Thus, in the 2021 academic year the course will be offered as a minor. However, students who are presently enrolled will be able to complete their studies if they had nominated Greek as a major, so that they are not adversely affected in the middle of their academic studies.”
Premetis called for Greek organisations and individuals to attend an open forum at the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW centre in Lakemba to discuss the challenges and opportunities and to give a clear guidance to the Foundation and lead it into the future.
“Let not the 200th anniversary of the rebirth of our nation be the year of demise of our valuable language. Let not internal divisions destroy what has been achieved in more than three decades of The Foundations Existence. Let unity prevail. Come along and Voice your opinion and take the opportunity in becoming a member of the Foundation.”
Greek scientist and co-founder of SciCo (Science Communication) Thodoris Anagnostopoulos has become a member of the large family of National Geographic explorers.
Reported by XPat Athens, Thodoris will be working with the SciCo team, British Council Greece, and STEM teachers from Xanthi, to initiate an environmental education program for students in Pomakochoria, Thrace.
The National Geographic Society will support the project, which is expected to begin in the fall of 2021. The aim of the project is to alleviate the social isolation of young Pomaks, as well as to raise awareness about climate change, the exploitation of renewable energy sources, and the preservation of the natural wealth of the area.
The extracurricular workshops STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) of environmental education will be aimed for students 10 to 16 years old.
Thodoris Anagnostopoulos notes: “Using science as a neutral “language” that bridges cultural differences, the project proposes STEM environmental education outside school, as a tool for creative collaboration between Pomak and non-Pomak students and alleviating the social isolation of the former.”
“The laboratories are adapted to the needs and special characteristics of the area and will focus on Renewable Energy Sources. Children will initially have the opportunity to study projects on a small scale and will gradually implement them in their schools and the local community to address real problems.
“This approach will create a safe and unrestricted space for education, enhancing the collaborative climate and students’ skills.”
Greek Australians Peter Hatzoglou and Marcus Stoinis have failed to reach the Big Bash League finals after their teams finished last and second-to-last respectively.
Peter Hatzoglou enjoyed an incredible debut season in the BBL, making a name for himself and even earning the respect of cricket legend Shane Warne. Hatzoglou played 13 matches and claimed 17 wickets in 12 innings, with two of those being in his first match for the Renegades.
Speaking to The Greek Herald last week, Hatzoglou said his positive start to the season “evoked a sense of relief.”
“You’re anticipating it for a week or so, and you’re training throughout the week and even prior to that, you’ve always got the ambition of playing at the next level,” Hatzoglou said.
Peter Hatzoglou breaks through Marcus Stoinis’ defences during the Melbourne Derby at the MCG.
“So I think to have to have done it and to have to started off well it was a really… I suppose it evoked a sense of relief for me.”
Peter currently holds a replacement contract with the Melbourne Renegades, and says he’ll be chasing a full-time contract once the season is completed. Asked if he would stay in his home-town of Melbourne, Peter said he wouldn’t be shy to branching out to other cities.
“Definitely no limitations on staying in Victoria,” Hatzoglou added.
“My ambition is to get on a full time contract with one of the clubs and put better performances together and consistent performances, and well that puts me in line for a contract next season.”
Photo: MICHAEL DODGE/AAP
Compared with Hatzoglou, Melbourne Stars player Marcus Stoinis is in the later stage of his career, yet showed no signs of slowing down after a solid performance this season.
Despite ending on a poor note, being knocked out for 12 by the Sydney Sixers, Stoinis claimed in 396 runs in the BBL 10. The Greek Australian hit a strike rate of 142, averaging 33 runs a match.
Last season Stoinis claimed the record for the most sixes in a single BBL season, a record that was broken this year by English star Alex Hales.
Nick Kyrgios has hit out at Novak Djokovic again, this time claiming the World No. 1 is setting a poor example for younger players and needs to be held accountable for his actions.
Speaking to CNN, Kyrgios said some of the things Djokovic was doing during the global pandemic “wasn‘t the right time”.
“He is one of our leaders of our sport. He’s technically our LeBron James in the way he has to be setting an example for all tennis players,” Kyrgios said of the 17-times Grand Slam champion in an interview with CNN.
“I think when he was doing some of the things he was doing during the global pandemic, it just wasn’t the right time. I know everyone makes mistakes, some of us go off track sometimes, and I think we have to hold each other accountable.
Djokovic is a tool. I don’t mind Bernie but his Mrs obviously has no perspective, ridiculous scenes 🤦🏽♂️ https://t.co/MMgeriH2GJ
“No one else was really holding him accountable. Everyone loses their way a little bit but I think he just needs to pull it back.”
Kyrgios last week showed annoyance at Djokovic’s proposal for demands in hotel quarantine, labelling him as a “tool”.
Speaking in an interview with ESPN Argentina, Nadal also addressed Djokovic’s actions — although he didn’t mention the Serbian by name — and preparations ahead of the tournament.
“Some need to make public everything they do to help others,” he said. “Others do it in a more private way without having to publish or advertise everything we’re doing. The calls we make to help the most disadvantaged players, some of us don’t need to want to advertise on it.”
Nick Kyrgios and Rafael Nadal have had their say on Novak Djokovic’s behaviour ahead of the Australian Open. Photo by Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images
“Complaints are understandable and totally respectable. Where is the privilege line or not privileges? There it is already a little different and I have a different vision than other tennis players.
“Here in Adelaide, conditions have been better than most players in Melbourne. But there are players in Melbourne have larger rooms where they can develop physical activities, others have smaller rooms and can’t have contact with their coach and their physical trainer. Where’s the line? It’s an ethical issue and everyone has their own opinion and they are all respectable.”
“At the time of talking about fair play or equal conditions, people don’t tend to complain about the position of those who are worse off than them. In the end we all try to get the most out of our possibilities and help each other.”
