Dr Olga Sarantopoulou, Secretary of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) announced her intention to be a candidate for the presidency of the organisation in the upcoming elections of December 2010.

Dr Sarantopoulou, who is also the General Secretary of the World Network of Doctors (MDs) of Greek Descent, talked to Neos Kosmos English Edition, whilst visiting Australia for the first time.

When asked about her plans for SAE she said that she will nominate for either the position of Treasurer or President of the international council of SAE, emphasising that “every possibility is open at this time”.

Pressed to clarify for which of the two positions she would run for, she confirmed her presidential aspirations.

The coordinator of the SAE America, Theodoros Spiropoulos, has also announced his intention to run as President of SAE.

Dr Sarantopoulou talked about her involvement with SAE since her election as Secretary of the World Council of SAE in 2003.

The Greek-Austrian doctor emphasised that she was elected as an independent candidate, insinuating that other SAE officials have been politically aligned and supported by Greek political parties.

Sarantopoulou was direct in criticising SAE, stating that. “In the 14 years SAE has been operating we have not really managed to consolidate it’s presence,’ and called for changes to legislative framework that govern SAE to provide greater clarity on the roles and duties of SAE officials.

“We have to see how the regional SAE networks operate as well as the Worlds Council and we have to look into that with the new government,” Sarantopoulou said.
She is cautious and non-committal asked how the newly elected Greek government will act.

“We need to wait and see how these new plans and objectives concerning Greeks abroad will be articulated and implemented.”

Her bewilderment with the decision of the outgoing government to scrap Greek language education program for the teaching of Greeks abroad three days before the Greek elections was evident and she indicated that SAE is prepared to take up the cause of the program with the new Minister of Education.

If Dr Sarantopoulos is successful in being elected President of SAE she promised to promote SAE becoming financially independent.

The funding for SAE is currently provided by the Greek state.

“The financial autonomy of SAE will lead to a greater freedom of movement and choices regarding its [SAE’s] role,” Dr Sarantopoulou underscored.

The Presidential aspirant also called for greater financial accountability and transparency among the regional networks of SAE.

Dr Sarantopoulou explained that the current model where regional coordinators are only accountable to the General Secretariat of Greeks Abroad is not enough and called for a greater level of scrutiny by the World Council of SAE.

SAE Oceania and Far East Coordinator George Angelopoulos is commended by Dr Sarantopoulou because he, “is the only one [ie. regional co-ordinator] who publicises the financial dealings in his region” and for tenaciously representing “his region’s needs”.

Despite conceding that the regions of Oceania and America “are the ones that elect the SAE President” she argued that her trip to Australia is not part of her election campaign.

It should be noted that Dr Sarantopoulou will also be promoting in Australia the program “Mothers of World Hellenism,” an initiative to support destitute mothers of Greek descent around the world.

The first 160 cases have been documented in countries of the former Soviet Union.

Dr Sarantopoulou clarified that SAE Oceania will establish a special account where any Greek Australian can contribute to the program.

“Whoever contributes can also have the right to find out the family they are helping,” Dr Sarantopoulou stressed.