With great success and the launch of new initiatives for promoting the Greek language, the proceedings of the 11th International Summer University titled “Greek Language, Culture, and Media” concluded in Boston. 

The program was organised by the University of Ioannina and the Maliotis Cultural Center of Hellenic College Holy Cross. Dozens of journalists from media outlets in Greece and the Greek diaspora, university researchers from institutions around the world, and prominent artists and intellectuals participated in the program, which this year bore the specific title: “Diaspora Media: Challenges and Prospects for the Greek Language and Culture.”

The program, offered free of charge, focused on diaspora media and its contribution to promoting the Greek language and culture, and evolved into a global forum for diaspora media. 

Participants included media owners, directors, and representatives of newspapers, radio and television stations, and news websites from Europe, North and South America, Africa, and Oceania. They expressed the need to undertake new initiatives and actions to support the Greek language.

Specifically, a proposal was submitted to develop an educational training program for diaspora media professionals and journalists in the use of the Greek language and journalistic discourse, aiming to further enhance the quality and continuation of Greek-language journalism. This proposal was accepted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Secretary General for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy, Ms. Maira Myrogianni, announced her support, particularly since the International Summer University has been included in the strategic plan of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for 2024–2027.

The Summer University also hosted an exhibition of cartoons by three distinguished Greek cartoonists— Ilias Makris, Andreas Petroulakis, and Stathis Stavropoulos—along with the presentation of the proceedings volume from last year’s conference, which focused on the dissemination of the Greek linguistic heritage in the diaspora. 

This collective publication was presented at one of the largest museums in the United States—the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston—with the collaboration of the Behrakis Wing, which features captivating representations of ancient Greek temples.

The organisers:

The 11th International Summer University was organised by the Laboratory for the Study of Social Issues, Media, and Education of the Department of Early Childhood Education, School of Education Sciences at the University of Ioannina, and the Maliotis Cultural Center of Hellenic College Holy Cross in Boston. 

It also involved the Department of Greek Education of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the Greek Applied Linguistics Association, the Athens and Macedonian News Agency, Study in Greece, the Center for Hellenic Studies of the University of Chicago, the Fondazione Vexillum, and the Hellenic Association of Political Scientists. 

The program was held at the Maliotis Cultural Center in Brookline and implemented through the University of Ioannina’s Center for Continuing and Lifelong Learning.

The International Summer University “Greek Language, Culture, and Media” was held under the auspices of the Hellenic Parliament, as well as the auspices and support of the Secretariat General for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

Secretary General Maira Myrogianni participated with a keynote speech, representing the Greek government. Representing the President of the Hellenic Parliament, Nikitas Kaklamanis, was the First Vice President Ioannis Iosif Plakiotakis, accompanied by a delegation of members from the Parliamentary Committee on the Hellenic Diaspora, including Nina G. Kassimati, Vice President of the Committee, and Stylianos Petsas, former Minister.

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America honored the program with his presence, offering a keynote address and distributing certificates of participation to attendees. The program featured remarkable participation by university faculty, researchers, and doctoral students from dozens of universities worldwide.

The program included roundtables with journalists from diaspora media (organised by continent), as well as many Greek media outlets, keynote speeches, workshops, a special session for young researchers, and a roundtable on Greek excellence and medical achievements.

A rich cultural program was also featured, including a caricature exhibition, a performance by the Greek Choir of Brussels, a visit to the iconic Harvard University campus, a reception by the Consulate General of Greece in Boston, and a tour of the Museum of Fine Arts and the Behrakis Wing—made possible by Drake Behrakis—where the proceedings volume of the 10th International Summer University was also presented, in the presence of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros and the Rector of the University of Ioannina, Professor Anna Batistatou.

Program leadership:

The program was designed and implemented by the founder of the International Summer University, Prof. Nikoletta Tsitsanoudis-Mallidis, Dean of the School of Education Sciences at the University of Ioannina, and Chrysoula Kourkounti, Executive Director of the Maliotis Cultural Center of Hellenic College Holy Cross.