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Greece’s government unveils Strategic Plan for the Greek Diaspora

The Greek Herald
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Greece’s government unveils Strategic Plan for the Greek Diaspora

By Ilias Karagiannis

With numerous references to Australia and its community, the presentation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Strategic Plan for the Greek Diaspora 2024-2027 took place on Wednesday, November 6.

In the packed amphitheatre “Giannis Kraniotis” at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on what Minister of Foreign Affairs, Giorgos Gerapetritis, described as a “historic day,” a comprehensive and cohesive plan was unveiled. This plan aims to significantly strengthen the ties between Greece and Greeks abroad.

The event was highly symbolic and well-attended, with political leaders, representatives of the diaspora, and various other stakeholders present. The presentation was made by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Giorgos Kotsiras, and the Secretary-General for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy, Myra Myrogianni, while Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Minister Gerapetritis were also present.

The strategic plan includes a wide range of initiatives and actions focused on enhancing the national identity of Greeks abroad, strengthening the Greek language and culture, improving the daily lives of diaspora Greeks, and fostering closer connections between them and Greece’s central government.

“An invaluable asset: The diaspora“

In his address, Prime Minister Mitsotakis described the Greek diaspora as “an invaluable asset for Greece,” underscoring that the new plan is the result of collaboration and consultations with diaspora organisations worldwide. He also pointed out that the significant constitutional reform allowing Greeks abroad to vote from their place of residence “opened new prospects for deepening the relationship between Greece and Greeks worldwide.”

The Prime Minister made special mention of the hospitality programmes offered to children and young people of the Diaspora from countries such as Australia. He reflected on his own personal experience, having travelled to the United States at the age of 15 through the Hellenic Youth Association of Thessaloniki, an experience he described as “a life-changing journey” that brought him closer to the Greek communities abroad.

He also highlighted the importance of initiatives aimed at women in the Diaspora and noted that he would have preferred the upgrade of consular services to be the first goal of the plan, rather than the sixth.

“Greece is changing and becoming better. The challenge of national progress is not only ours, but also that of the diaspora,” he concluded.

A holistic plan with six goals

Minister Gerapetritis called the plan “visionary” and pointed out that it reflects the Prime Minister’s commitment to strengthening the ties between Greece and the Diaspora. He thanked everyone involved in drafting the plan, particularly noting the role of technology in making life easier for Greeks abroad.

“The digitisation of services, such as passport issuance, is a central pillar of our plan,” he said.

Deputy Minister Kotsiras described the day of the plan’s presentation as “the culmination of a long and collective effort” and expressed gratitude for the contributions of the Diaspora in its development. He specifically referred to the new website Diaspora.gr, which will serve as a central hub of information for the Greek Diaspora, and the creation of a Registry of Diaspora Organisations, which will facilitate communication and help map the needs of the diaspora.

“This is a primary endeavour with over 100 actions that will be continuously updated to meet the needs of the diaspora,” Mr Kotsiras said.

He also emphasised the strengthening of Greek Studies programmes in universities across the United States, Canada, Australia, and South America, stressing that “support for Greek Studies is a fundamental issue.”

The plan focuses on six main objectives:

  1. Supporting and developing networks and structures of the Diaspora, with an emphasis on new ways of organising them.
  2. Leveraging the presence of the Diaspora to enhance the image of Greece.
  3. Maintaining the elements of Hellenism by strengthening the Greek language, history, traditions, and culture, while approaching and empowering the younger generation.
  4. Maintaining and strengthening bonds with the Orthodox Church as a unifying factor between the metropolitan centre and the Diaspora.
  5. Strengthening bilateral and multilateral collaborations in the area of Diaspora affairs.
  6. Upgrading the services provided by the consular authorities.

Innovative actions for the diaspora

Secretary-General for Greeks Abroad, Ms Myrogianni discussed the initiatives being promoted for the youth, such as the Greek Youth Diaspora Symposium, and collaborations with organisations such as the Food for Thought Network. Based in Australia, the Food for Thought Network is an organisation dedicated to empowering Greek women in the Diaspora and organised the first global conference in Ioannina titled “Women and Hellenism,” held from 2 to 6 September 2024.

“Companions, the Greeks Abroad”

During the event, a short video was shown highlighting the main themes of the plan. The message was clear: the Diaspora is an integral part of the national strategy, and the bonds that unite us with Greeks around the world must be strengthened further.

Prime Minister Mitsotakis referred to the postal vote system, which was approved by the government majority only for the European Parliament elections and successfully implemented.

He stated, “This proves that the greatest reforms can be achieved, and we are ready to extend this to the national elections of 2027. For this, we need broader consensus, as we require 200 MPs. I hope that there will be consensus among the parties, so that we can send a unified message to the Greeks abroad.”

He added, “Greece in 2024 is different from Greece in 2019, and this is something recognised primarily by the Greeks abroad, who can see the progress from afar, free from the distorting lenses of toxic internal political realities.” The Prime Minister concluded by emphasising that “Greece is changing every day, and on this journey, Greeks everywhere must be our companions.”

“With planning and hard work, you can be certain that we will achieve our goals and implement the plan for the Greek Diaspora,” concluded Kyriakos Mitsotakis, sending a message of optimism and national unity to the global Greek community.

Six Greek Americans elected to the US House of Representatives

The Greek Herald
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Six Greek Americans elected to the US House of Representatives

The latest US elections have highlighted a significant presence of Greek American voices in the House of Representatives, as several community leaders express their contentment with the growing influence of the diaspora in American politics. A total of six Greek American candidates secured seats in Tuesday’s election, with three re-elected and three others elected for the first time.

Among the victorious candidates, Republican Nicole Malliotakis, a prominent New York politician, was re-elected for a third term in the 11th District. She triumphed with 64.7% of the vote, based on 96% of ballots counted. Meanwhile, in Florida’s 12th District, Republican Gus Bilirakis successfully retained his seat, securing 71.1% of the vote with nearly all precincts reporting.

In New Hampshire, Democratic Representative Chris Pappas was re-elected to the 1st District, gaining 54.4% of the vote with 90% of ballots counted. His victory underscores the ongoing support for Greek-American politicians across party lines.

Maggie Goodlander, the wife of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, made her debut in Congress by winning a seat in New Hampshire’s 2nd District. Of Greek descent from Grevena, Goodlander secured 53.3% of the vote, with 92% of votes reported, marking a significant achievement in her political career.

Florida’s 8th District also saw a Greek American newcomer, Republican Mike Haridopolos, win with 62.3% of the vote. At 54, Haridopolos is set to begin his first term in Congress, adding to the growing representation of the Greek-American community.

In Nevada, Democratic Representative Dina Titus was re-elected for an eighth term in the 1st District, securing 51.1% of the vote and leading her Republican challenger by a solid margin with 87% of votes tallied.

While not all Greek American candidates were successful in this election, the results underscore the rising influence of Greek American politicians in US politics, with community leaders expressing satisfaction at the increasing visibility and impact of the diaspora in shaping the nation’s political landscape.

Greece, Australia react as Donald Trump elected US President

The Greek Herald
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Greece, Australia react as Donald Trump elected US President

The Prime Ministers of Greece and Australia have sent their congratulations to Donald Trump today, after he was elected the 47th president of the United States in a stunning political resurrection.

Trump becomes the first convicted criminal to win the White House. At 78, he is also the oldest person ever elected to the office.

Trump defeated Kamala Harris, a Democrat who had been seeking to make history herself as the first woman, first Black woman and first south Asian American to become president in the US’ 248-year history.

As votes were counted overnight, Trump won the swing states of North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Wisconsin to get him across the line. He’s also won Michigan, toppling the blue wall. Projections show him comfortably clearing the 270 electoral vote threshold required to win the White House.

donald trump
Donald Trump makes a victory speech. Photo: Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg.

Addressing the public after the voting count was announced, Trump said, “This is a movement like nobody’s ever seen before.”

“This is, I believe, the greatest political movement of all time. There’s never been anything like this in this country and now it’s going to reach a new level of importance, because we’re going to help our country heal,” he said.

“We’re going to fix our borders. We’re going to fix everything about our country… I will not rest until we have delivered the strong, safe and prosperous America that our children deserve, this will truly be the golden age of America.”

World leaders have also reacted to the news. Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis congratulated Trump on X.

“Congratulations @realDonaldTrump on your election victory. Greece looks forward to further deepening the strategic partnership between our two countries and working together on important regional and global issues,” Mitsotakis wrote.

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese echoed these sentiments.

“Congratulations to President Donald Trump on his election victory. Australians and Americans are great friends and true allies. Working together, we can ensure the partnership between our nations and peoples remains strong into the future,” Albanese wrote on X.

Harris called Trump to concede defeat on Wednesday before delivering remarks at Howard University in Washington, DC at 8am (AEDT).

Peter V’landys defends gambling practices and criticises parliamentary inquiry

The Greek Herald
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Peter V’landys defends gambling practices and criticises parliamentary inquiry

Peter V’landys, the influential head of Racing NSW and chairman of the NRL, has responded to recent discussions about gambling regulation, defending the average bet on NRL games as modest and arguing that proposed changes to betting incentives could harm punters.

V’landys, known for his outspoken views, pointed out that the average wager on NRL matches is just $16 and claimed that proposals to ban bookies offering free bets would only lead to punters losing more of their own money. The comments come in the wake of a parliamentary inquiry into gambling, led by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy, which recommended sweeping changes to gambling advertising and inducements.

The inquiry’s report, You Win Some, You Lose More, called for a three-year phase-out of gambling ads, a ban on inducements like free bets or credits, and a levy on online gambling companies to fund harm reduction efforts. V’landys, however, dismissed these recommendations as being driven by ideological views rather than evidence. While he acknowledged that certain gambling advertisements might need to be reduced, he argued that the overall findings of the inquiry were misguided.

“I should have stressed it was on all the recommendations,” V’landys told The Australian Financial Review on Monday, admitting he had been too focused on the gambling ban aspect without addressing the full package of proposed changes. He specifically criticised the proposed ban on gambling inducements, arguing that these were not harmful, but rather “generosities” similar to retail offers like “buy one, get one free.” Removing them, he claimed, would only result in punters losing more of their own funds, as these offers were a way to encourage continued play without additional financial risk.

Photo: News Corp Australia.

An industry source also backed this view, stating that these “generosities” were essential for betting apps to remain competitive, as the odds are often the same across platforms. However, government sources have suggested that banning inducements will not feature in the official response to the inquiry, but instead will be looked at in collaboration with state and territory governments. The response is expected by the end of the year.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland has proposed a blanket ban on social media gambling ads, but her plans do not extend to television advertising. Under her proposal, TV ads would be limited to an hour before and after live sports broadcasts, with no more than two ads per hour until 10pm. This proposal has drawn criticism from both the gambling industry and sporting organisations, which argue that it is too restrictive. At the same time, reform advocates, including the Greens and independent MPs, have called on the government to adopt a full ban on gambling ads, in line with the inquiry’s recommendations.

During a recent appearance at the 40th Asian Racing Federation Conference, V’landys also discussed his vision for the future of horse racing. He expressed a desire to use mobile apps and “gamification” to attract younger audiences, particularly teenagers. He cited the success of the English Premier League and the US National Basketball Association in engaging young people and lamented that horse racing lacked the “tribalism” that has helped other sports build loyal, long-term fanbases.

“The challenge for racing is to get to where other sports are: attacking the 14-year-olds,” he said, highlighting the importance of making the sport appealing and entertaining without relying solely on gambling.

V’landys’s remarks on gambling regulation continue to spark debate, with the issue of how to balance harm reduction and industry growth remaining at the forefront of the ongoing discussion.

Source: Financial Review.

Family legacy to frontline service: Sergeant Angelina Kopanakis’ inspiring journey in the Australian army

Evelyn Karatzas
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Family legacy to frontline service: Sergeant Angelina Kopanakis’ inspiring journey in the Australian army

At the age of 21, Angelina Kopanakis decided to kickstart her career in the Royal Australian Army. 

Now, Angelina has had 16 years of experience in various sectors in her field from all over the world. She has been a VIP driver for generals in Afghanistan, a driver for the Commander of the First Division in Brisbane, has worked in a special operations unit as part of the Tactical Assault Group, in various support battalions, in the School of Infantry, and in various logistics units.

Angelina currently works at the ADFA headquarters in the ACT.

In an exclusive interview with The Greek Herald, Angelina revealed she hopes to inspire others to explore the many opportunities on offer in the Army, Navy, and Defence Force. 

Who is Angelina Kopanakis?

Angelina Kopanakis is a Greek Australian army segreant who was born in 1986 on the Gold Coast in Queensland. 

She has been posted all around the world and in Australia to places like Afghanistan, Brisbane, Wagga Wagga, Townsville, Kapooka, Singleton, and Sydney.

In January this year, she moved to the ACT and commenced her role in the operation cell of the Australian Defence Force Academy headquarters.

Why did she join the army?

The Greek Australian army sergeant said she took on her first role in the Australian Army in 2008, where she worked in the Royal Australian Corps of Transport. She said her inspirations to join the army initially stemmed from her grandfather, Ronald Ernest Day who was an engineer in the army.

“My grandfather was an engineer in the Second World War. He went to Crete with the Australian soldiers and helped Greece fight against the Germans,” Angelina told The Greek Herald.

“I grew up hearing stories of how he was going through my grandmother Eleftheria Papagrigorakis’ village in Chania (which is where they met) and how he was eventually was caught by the Germans and became a Prisoner Of War in a concentration camp in occupied Poland.

“It was his passion and the stories he told about his experiences in war that from a young age, made me want to join the army.”

Angelina said growing up, she loved hearing stories about the mateship her grandfather experienced in the army.

“He always used to talk about how no matter where he went, or where he was posted, he could always rely on the mateship that he had in the army,” she said.

“He just had such a love for it and every time he talked to me about his time in the war as a little kid, I was always so excited and fascinated.

“His stories on the Battle of Crete are some that have really stood by me today.”

What does she love about her job?

With a 16-year career in the army, Angelina revealed what she loves most about being in the army.

“I just love coming to work every day and being able to see my mates, share my experiences with them and hear about their experiences and just learn,” the Greek Australian said.

“Being able to gain an understanding of what they’ve gone through and hear about their stories is just so eye-opening.

“I also love serving the nation of course, it’s such a rewarding job.”

More Greek Australians in the army

As a Greek Australian army segreant with a strong passion for her Hellenic roots, Angelina said she hopes to inspire more young Greeks to consider careers in the defence forces.

“I definitely think we need more Greeks,” Angelina said.

“For me personally, I wish I joined the army sooner, right after I finished school.

“It’s such a good and rewarding career, and it feels so good to give back to Australia. You definitely get well looked after too, whether its Army, Navy or Air Force, and there’s so many different pathways you can take.

“There’s really something for everyone. The people you meet, the places you go and the opportunities you get are just awesome. If it wasn’t for the army, I wouldn’t have travelled to or seen half the places I’ve been to in the world now.”

Melbourne residents call for council action as bird poo litters public spaces

The Greek Herald
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Melbourne residents call for council action as bird poo litters public spaces

Residents in Melbourne’s south-east are urging their local council to take action against the feeding of feral birds, as the growing pigeon populations are damaging public spaces.

Avian experts warn that illegal feeding encourages the spread of non-native bird species, which not only disrupts local ecosystems but also increases competition for food with native wildlife.

As temperatures rise, Carnegie resident Christopher Tsalikis has been utilising public benches in the area to share meals with his family.

However, Tsalikis claims the bird droppings around the seating areas have become increasingly problematic as pigeon numbers swell.

“You sit on these benches and they’re covered in crap and you think it is a little bit disgusting,” he said.

“You do see families have a bit of food left over… and think it’s normal to throw some food on the floor than chuck their food in the bin.”

“It’s gotten much worse. There are birds that will jump on [the] table … or jump and grab your food straight away,” Tsalikis added.

Source: ABC News.

Online seminar to focus on ‘Raising Bilingual Children in Victoria’

The Greek Herald
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Online seminar to focus on ‘Raising Bilingual Children in Victoria’

A Victorian School of Languages (VSL) event titled ‘Raising Bilingual Children in Victoria’ will be held online on Thursday, 7 November. Its inspiration is two in depth parent seminars Professor Joseph Lo Bianco has prepared and delivered for Greek speaking families in Melbourne, through the Pharos Alliance, one in November 2023 and the second in June 2024. It is intended to make these language specific seminars a feature of the work of Pharos Alliance.  

Pharos is dedicated to supporting the retention of Greek in Victoria and is a very active group of people around the Modern Greek Teachers’ Association of Victoria, building on the Pharos Strategy that Prof Lo Bianco prepared at MGTAV’s request some years ago. One of the points of that strategy is to foster the use of Greek among young children and within families. The two seminars will be repeated specifically for Greek Australian families, and it is intended these should become a regular feature of support for such families.  

The VSL seminar was expected to attract 60 or so parents but has topped 930 at last count and will be conducted as an information webinar. This incredible response is testament to the deep interest that families of migrant origin have in language maintenance in the home to prevent intergenerational loss. 

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Currently, all migrant languages are slipping away as second and third generations tend to use their heritage language less and less, and it retreats from the homes of parents and children to the homes of grandparents interacting with their grandchildren. As the first-generation age and eventually pass on, these precious assets and reminders of heritage fade from active usage. This phenomenon is known as language shift or language loss and while some level of decline is inevitable especially among young people who marry out of the community (something which happens for all groups), there is the additional issue of the domination of English in wider society.  But language shift can be can be tackled through what is known as ‘reversing language shift.’

Professor Lo Bianco’s seminar is an introduction for families to the complex process of language loss, but it will also focus on practical strategies that can be easily adopted to stem the rate of loss. He will offer examples of successful action and strategies that different kinds of families can use to encourage language retention. In some families, both parents speak the heritage language, in others one parent does and the other does not, while in others neither parent has an active knowledge of the language. Despite these differences there are specific ways to organise time and input to children to increase the amount of contact they have in the language and to support their learning of it at school or in other settings. 

The 900 who have enrolled come from multiple language backgrounds, such as Greek, Hindi, Vietnamese, Italian, Sinhala, Tagalog, Khmer, Russian, and Tamil, some of longstanding migrant background and others are recent arrivals. All face a challenge of how to support the home language so children become bilinguals rather than knowing only English. 

Event Details:

  • Title: Raising Bilingual Children in Victoria
  • Date: Thursday, 7 November
  • Time: 5.30pm
  • Mode: Online
  • Register here

Peter Doukas OAM elected as new Chair of FECCA

The Greek Herald
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Peter Doukas OAM elected as new Chair of FECCA

The Ethnic Communities’ Council of NSW (ECC NSW) welcomes the election of Peter Doukas OAM as the new Chair of the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Council of Australia (FECCA).

At the recent FECCA National Conference held in Brisbane during October 2024, Mr Doukas was elected Chair of the FECCA.

In addition to Mr Doukas being elected Chair, Treasurer of the ECC NSW Emanuel Valageorgiou was elected Treasurer of FECCA.

Emanuel Valageorgiou.

Both Mr Doukas and Mr Valageorgiou will continue their duties in the ECC NSW.

“This is a triumph for the Ethnic Communities’ Council of NSW and for the influence of ECC NSW on the national stage. The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Council of Australia, as the National Federation representing multiculturalism in Australia, will benefit greatly from the insight and experience of Peter Doukas and Emanuel Valageorgiou,” Mary Karras, CEO of ECC NSW, said.

Also elected to the Board of FECCA were the following:

  • Elijah Buol OAM, Senior Deputy Chair & ECCQ Chair
  • Jill Morgan AM, Senior Deputy Chair – Women
  • Dr Edwin Joseph, Hon. Secretary & MCNT President
  • Akesa Kei, Regional Chair
  • Miriam Cocking, MCCSA Chair
  • Eddie Micallef, ECCV Chair
  • Andrew Ng, ACTMC President
  • Dr Sadhana Bose, ECCWA President
  • Jade Li, MCOT Chair

Greece set to announce Strategic Plan for Hellenes Abroad

The Greek Herald
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Greece set to announce Strategic Plan for Hellenes Abroad

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.

Multiple polls close across the US for the 2024 presidential election

The Greek Herald
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Multiple polls close across the US for the 2024 presidential election

Voting for the US presidential election has now closed in copious pivotal swing states, which could make all the difference between who reaches the 270 electoral votes necessary to come out on top.

Pennsylvania polls has closed with early indications suggesting a tight race in the state, which is expected to play a major role in determining the outcome of the election.

North Carolina’s polls have also closed, while some polling stations in Michigan have also now closed, marking the final moments of voting in several key battleground states.

As of midday AEDT, polls have closed in 16 states, along with Washington, DC. This marks a significant moment in the election, with results from these areas expected in the coming hours.

Polls also closed in Georgia, a state that has become increasingly competitive in recent years. With this, four of the seven crucial battleground states have now wrapped up voting, leaving just three to go.

At present, several states that were expected to lean in favour of one party or the other have already been called. However, results from the battleground states are still to come, and voters in these regions remain crucial in the race for the White House.

As counting continues, all eyes are now on the final swing states, with both sides anxiously awaiting the results that will shape the direction of the election.

The total of current electoral votes for Donald Trump stands at 214, with 179 for Kamala Harris.

*Updates to come…

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