Varvara Athanasiou-Ioannou AM and her volunteer team at the Food for Thought Network (FFTN) brought together Greek women from the Diaspora and Greece in an inaugural Global Women and Hellenism Conference. Delegates, and presenters praised the five-day conference and the volunteerism behind the event.
Exploring women’s multifaceted identities and roles
The conference explored women’s multifaceted identities, barriers, and enablers. Sofia Markoula, vice mayor of Ioannina, assistant professor of Neurology at the University of Ioannina and Dr. Evangelia Markaki, head of business school at the University of Derby at Mediterranean College, and Dr. Virginia Tsoukatou discussed gender-biased technological changes and AI’s impacts. Melbournian, Dr. Konstantina Dounis explored Greek-Australian women’s writings.
A panel chaired by executive coach Maria Papazoglou included publisher Dimitra Skalkos from The Greek Herald, HACCI NT president Angela Tomazos, and Myrtali Organics CEO Vasiliki Kaskanakou. Penny Sahinis later shared insights on women’s empowerment and mentorship, drawing from her experience with Australia’s G20 Sherpa.
Greek identity and heritage across generations
A session, chaired by FFTN communications manager Dorothy Hatzopoulou, delved into the complex themes of identity and sustainability. Dr. Annette B. Fromm explored the Greek identity of Jewish women from Ioannina, while Dr. Aspasia Stacey Rabba discussed strategies for maintaining identity and well-being. Theodora Kyriafini and Fotini Lymperiadou, founders of euΖen Architecture, presented on Greek philosophy through architecture.
PR Manager Pericleia Veremis chaired the session “Representation of Hellenism Past and Present – Sustainability & Identity.” Author Kalliopi Toufidi discussed her work, while Vivian Pagourelias-Vassiliadis emphasised “the resilience of the Greek spirit”. Varvara Athanasiou-Ioannou presented Her Voice: Greek Women and Their Friends, a book of oral histories that inspired the conference.
Sustainability of Hellenism in a global context
In another stream chaired by Dr. Katerina Athanasiou, contributions from scholars explored Hellenism and sustainability. Dr. Maria Athanasiou discussed lament, poetry, and art, while Konstantina Zidrou and Dr. Kostando Baruta-Ksera examined the roles of Epirotian and Deropolitissa women in Greek history.
Other sessions addressed the sustainability of Greek language and culture in modern times. Dr. Maria Karidakis and Professor Joseph Lo Bianco from the University of Melbourne discussed reversing the decline of Greek language, and Professor Nikoletta Tsitsanoudis-Mallidis examined teaching Greek in times of crisis. Presentations included insights on Greek philosophy, tourism, and the power of music in preserving Hellenic heritage.
Cultural exploration and celebration
The conference concluded with a singalong led by Anthea Sidiropoulos, vice president of the Greek Community of Melbourne, who performed a song “I am a woman.”
The closing evening featured a dinner at Parga’s renowned MED CLUB restaurant, with panoramic views of Valtos Beach and the castle. Parga Mayor Nikolaos Zacharias welcomed attendees with symbolic gifts of olive oil, a tribute to the region’s deep ties to olive cultivation.
The organisers’ statement said that the conference “provided invaluable insights into the role of Hellenic women across the Diaspora and strengthened connections and inspired future discussions on identity, sustainability, and empowerment”.
