Last week, Professor John Chrysoulakis, former Secretary General for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy, visited Melbourne to attend ceremonies marking internment relics of the Holy Four New Martyrs from Crete at the Orthodox Archdiocese’s Monastery of Axion Estin.
A veteran strategist and diplomat, and a master of soft power, Prof. Chrysoulakis has now taken on another international role as Chairman of AHEPA International, one of the world’s leading Greek Diaspora institutions founded in the United States in 1922 and now with global reach.
Prof. Chrysoulakis played a pivotal role as Secretary General in strengthening Greece’s relationship with its diaspora.
Among his achievements was ensuring Greek citizens living abroad could exercise their right to vote in Greek and EU elections—a task fraught with challenges. Through perseverance and foresight, he overcame bureaucratic hurdles and logistical complexities to see the initiative successfully implemented.
During his Melbourne visit, Prof. Chrysoulakis stopped by the offices of Neos Kosmos.
“I felt compelled to visit Neos Kosmos, the largest Greek Australian newspaper,” he said.
“For five years, every morning, this newspaper [Neos Kosmos] informed me about what was happening in Australia.”
He described Neos Kosmos as “an essential conduit between Greece and its diaspora, as well as their host nations, whether the United States or Australia.”
“For five years, every morning, this newspaper [Neos Kosmos] informed me about what was happening in Australia.”
Highlighting the newspaper’s role, he added: “In its printed and digital bilingual form, Neos Kosmos has offered decades of service in informing and maintaining the cohesion of Hellenism in Australia. Its integrity, democratic principles, and balanced opinions are commendable.”
At Neos Kosmos, Prof. Chrysoulakis met with editor Sotiris Hatzimanolis, publisher Christopher Gogos, and journalists Ioannis Sofianos and Fotis Kapetopoulos. Their discussions covered key issues, including voting rights for Greeks abroad, Greece’s economic recovery, and the importance of Greek diaspora media, AHEPA, and the Australian Greek community.
“I want to thank Neos Kosmos from the bottom of my heart for carrying our messages to Hellenism in Australia for so many years and bringing us closer together,” he said.
Later, he met with Bill Papastergiadis, President of the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM). The two discussed their collaborative efforts on student exchanges, conferences, business partnerships, and enhancing connections between Greek ministers and the GCM.
From Melbourne, Professor Chrysoulakis was travelling to Darwin to meet with Greek leaders in politics, business, and community affairs, before continuing to New Zealand and Sydney.
As a veteran strategist and diplomat, Prof. Chrysoulakis is adept at leveraging soft power to build bridges between Greece and its diaspora.
“In leaving, I wish Neos Kosmos continued success as the bridge between Hellenism abroad and the homeland,” he said.
He is dedicated to sustaining and enhancing cultural, educational, and economic ties between Greece and its global diaspora.
