The President of the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM), Vassilis Papastergiadis, met in Greece with the Governor of Attica, Mr. Nikos Hardalias. The content of their meeting concerned several issues, including the continuation of the cultural “youth camp” program in the Attica region.

Mr. Hardalias, being aware of the work and the dynamic presence of the GCM, confirmed the implementation of the plans to extend the program to Attica in September.

The cultural “camp” for young people from Australia is a collaboration between the GCM and the General Secretariat for Hellenism Abroad and Public Diplomacy. It aims to promote Greek language skills and foster deeper relations between the youth of the diaspora and Greece. This highly successful initiative has been taking place for three years, with young people from the diaspora visiting Northern Greece, starting from Thessaloniki.

Currently, during the third consecutive year of the programme, 21 young people of Greek origin are visiting Greece on a tour that includes visits to sites of archaeological, cultural, and recreational interest. Our group of young people is visiting Ouranoupolis and Mount Athos today, while tomorrow they will tour Thessaloniki before departing on Saturday.

The new initiative of the President of the GCM will give our young people the opportunity to visit Attica after Thessaloniki, offering a more complete experience of Greek life.

The Governor of Attica said: “The launch of this initiative with GCM is extremely important for Attica, as the region is a magnet for visitors, combining history dating back to antiquity with elements of a modern, rich metropolis. It is this combination that sets Attica apart from many other regions.”

Bill Papastergiadis responded by thanking Mr. Hardalias for his commitment to the “youth camp” program and said that it is the first youth program implemented in cooperation with the Region of Attica.

According to the President of the GCM, the strengthening of such programmes is a crucial component of the preservation of our cultural identity, as they promote the Greek language and history as a lever for development.

“Such initiatives lead to the strengthening of young people’s ties with Greece, through the cultivation of new interests during the visit. Apart from their extremely important educational aspect, these programmes also strengthen the interpersonal relationships of young people. Participants create new friendships, which can potentially become lifelong bonds. These programs strengthen the youth’s connection to the GCM, building on the foundation of the excellent educational programs and initiatives of our teachers.”

The Governor of Attica, who has visited Melbourne and attended the Antipodes Festival, concluded by saying that he was impressed by its size and diversity and described it as one of the most spectacular diaspora festivals. Combined with its 15-storey cultural centre, the GCM is, according to Mr. Hardalias, a true leader of the Greek diaspora in terms of promoting cultural and educational programmes.

The meeting between Mr. Papastergiadis and the Governor of Attica laid the foundations for the expansion of the already excellent cooperation between the GCM and the Greek Government, presenting an additional promising opportunity for the youth of the Diaspora.

ABOUT THE GREEK COMMUNITY OF MELBOURNE
The Greek Community of Melbourne is a community organisation founded in 1897. It represents the large and vibrant Greek community in Victoria presenting Education programs to over 2000 students, Cultural programs that include the landmark Antipodes Festival and advocacy across a broad range of issues.