A protocol of cooperation aimed at strengthening the Greek language, history and culture and the joint approach to the Greek Diaspora, with emphasis on the younger generation, was signed on Tuesday, January 14, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Giorgios Kotsiras, and the Rector of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Gerasimos Siasos.

As Mr. Kotsiras stated, “Through our cooperation with the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, a leading educational institution, and by utilizing the network of our diplomatic and consular authorities around the world, we are expanding our actions to promote the teaching of the Greek language, history, and culture abroad and to attract young people of the Diaspora and Greek scientists working abroad. This initiative is part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Strategic Plan for Hellenes Abroad and is a continuation of our series of actions to strengthen Greek studies, to bring the new generation and the Greek Diaspora closer together. By joining forces with academic institutions in Greece and abroad and using modern digital tools, we actively support Greek studies and bring young people and scientists from the Diaspora closer to Greece. We are taking an important institutional step to develop cooperation that will benefit the academic environment of our country, the Greek Diaspora, and our country as a whole.”

For his part, the Rector of the National University of Athens, Professor Gerasimos Siasos, stated “This is a very important cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which will promote joint actions of the State and the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens for the teaching of the Greek language, history and culture to both Greeks of the Diaspora and Philhellenes. In addition, it will contribute to the interconnection of the Chairs and Centres of Greek Studies abroad with the University to promote synergies in the field of Greek and Humanities Studies. The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, as the first and largest University in the country, has hundreds of thousands of graduates, who reside and excel in many countries abroad. Our cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will contribute to the effort that our University has already begun to reconnect with its alumni and at the same time strengthen its networking with the scientific diaspora. We are particularly grateful to the Minister and Professor of the Law School of our University, Mr. George Gerapetritis, as well as to the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Doctor of Law at the Athens Law School, Mr. George Kotsiras, for the excellent cooperation, which is confirmed by the signing of our Protocol of Cooperation today. The University and the State are joining forces for education and connection with the Greek Diaspora.”

As stipulated in the Protocol of Cooperation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens intend to jointly undertake initiatives to strengthen Greek language skills through the promotion of programs and activities for the learning of the Greek language, history, and culture by Greeks of the Diaspora and philhellenes. In addition, synergies are promoted in the field of Greek Studies through the interconnection of the UoC with the chairs and centres of Greek Studies abroad. Finally, the strengthening of the relationship between the scientific Diaspora and Greece is sought through the creation of a digital platform for the interconnection of NKUA graduates working and active abroad, the networking of Greek scientists outside Greece with the scientific community of NKUA, and the exploitation of their know-how, experience and skills.

On the side of the Ministry, the Secretary General of Hellenism Abroad and Public Diplomacy, Myra Mυρογιanni, and the Director General of Public Diplomacy, Ekaterini Koika, were present.

From the University of Athens, the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, International Relations and Outreach, Professor Sophia Papaioannou, and the Vice-Rector for Finance and Development, Professor Aristides Samitas, were present.