It is a great pleasure and a great honor to have you here. 78 young people from 16 countries, from four continents, who represent Greece better than anyone. We want to keep you close to us. We want you to be our true ambassadors. Indeed, we may have a capable diplomatic corps, but you are the true ambassadors of Hellenism around the world. Young visionary people, with ideas, who care deeply not only about our national issues, but also about all societal matters. Namely the global crises that affect us, the climate crisis, food security, issues related to demography, meritocracy, peace and prosperity.
I would like to warmly thank Mr. Kotsiras and Ms. Myrogianni for their great work. I think that it is one of the initiatives that we gladly and wholeheartedly carry out at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, because we want to connect you to Greece, we want to hear your voice. We also want you to listen to our voice and spread it across the four continents. The reality is that you are more persuasive than us. Your words have a greater impact than those of any politician, whether Minister, Deputy Minister, or Secretary General. Because your words are authentic, selfless, and convey something that is missing in our own discourse sometimes, namely concern for future generations. We do not always take this into account, whilst trying to create long-term and visionary public policies and dealing with everyday life and difficulties.
This is what you bring to the table, your future-oriented perspective. Because the reality is that our generation, like previous ones, has over-consumed capital, i.e. natural capital and resources in general. It is your generation that will be called upon to take the lead, both in Greece and across the world, to return to a path of equality, justice, and elimination of discrimination. That is why you are invaluable to us. And even more so, because you are an integral part of Hellenism. We want you to keep carrying your sense of Hellenism in your hearts. I was happy and moved, listening to some of the panels yesterday. It was truly moving to hear young people speak, to express their love for their homeland, their intellectual depth and their excellent Greek. And I truly wish - both as an individual and as an academic - that you preserve and strengthen your Greek and that you share your perspective. That you share with the people of the countries where you live the values of Hellenism and the ideals that the Greek world represents.
And I could not imagine a better venue, a better institution, to host today's event than the Foundation of the Hellenic World. Because today, in this hall, we have put together a micro-image of the Hellenic World. For the first time, the Greek state has made the effort to present a Strategic Plan for Greeks Abroad, under the responsibility of the Deputy Minister. It is a plan which, at last, will constitute the handbook of our position, the position of Greece, in its relation with the Diaspora. It is a structured plan, with tangible actions, which seeks not only to facilitate the everyday lives of Greeks abroad, but also to create lasting channels of communication between Greece and all cities and countries across the globe where our Diaspora lives. It is interesting that, out of the 13 cities with over 100,000 Greek residents, 6 are located in Greece, and 7 abroad.
Greece is stronger abroad and the Strategic Plan for Greeks Abroad will further strengthen the ties between Greece and the Diaspora, it will bring together all young people. And this is also the aim of the new “Youth Diaspora Ambassador” initiative. It is designed to inspire young opinion makers, who will hopefully renew our political scene and who will be the future influential Greeks. And I am always glad to come to the conclusion - both during my time as a professor, as well as under my current function - that every generation is better than the last one. So, make the most of all your resources. Keep Hellenism in your hearts and carry the message far and wide that Greece is unique and it is everywhere.
Thank you very much.
November 28, 2024