Strengthening ties with Greeks abroad, especially with the new generation of expatriate Greeks, has always been a priority for Greece. Within the framework of the Strategic Plan for Greeks Abroad 2024 - 2027, we seek modern ways to connect the new generation of Greeks abroad with Greece, as well as with the various diaspora communities and groups.
The hosting programs in Greece for young Diaspora Greeks is an ongoing initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Hosting programs, including both educational and camping projects, were first launched in the 1980s and have gradually been expanded and enriched to include various age groups and thematic areas. After a ten-year hiatus, the hosting programs were resumed in 25022 with a continued, remarkable increase in the number of participants.
In the summer of 2024, children from Istanbul, Imvros, Tanzania, Brazil, and Ukraine were hosted in the children's camps of Agios Andreas in Athens. This was made possible through a Memorandum of Cooperation signed between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Municipality of Athens. The camps of Agios Andreas aim to host at least 200 children of the Diaspora every summer, with 50 children per camping period, without any financial burden for the participants and their families. Additionally, for the past three years, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has partnered with the Greek Community of Melbourne in Thessaloniki to organize activities for 25 young people of Greek origin from Australia. These activities include visits to cultural, educational, and recreational sites in Northern Greece.
The hosting programs are a unique experience for the participants. During these programs, children and young people are acquainted with their place of origin, the Greek language and the Greek culture. Our goal is to expand and further develop the programs in order to include more groups of citizens, as well as to create a broader framework of cooperation with other actors that can contribute to the strengthening and successful implementation of this initiative.
November 12, 2024