The successful collaboration between the Greek Community of Melbourne and the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs produced yet another great edition of its cultural immersion program, bringing together Hellenic youth from across the globe in Greece.
The fourth year of the program has continued to go from strength to strength with this year’s edition featuring young people of Greek heritage from Australia, Jordan, Lebanon, Romania, Sweden and Chile.
The youngsters have had the chance to meet like-minded peers while exploring the beauty of Athens and Thessaloniki, cultivating deeper connections with their Hellenic heritage in the process.
It is a most impressive expansion of the program, which began four years ago as a Melbourne-based initiative.
GCM President Bill Papastergiadis welcomed the participants to Greece and joined them for their arrival dinner.
“This is not just a journey to Greece, it is a deeply personal journey for many participants,” he said to them at the dinner.
He further spoke on the collaboration between the GCM and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, saying: “Although Athens wasn’t built in a day, this program also took years of discussions and lobbying with the Ministry to become a reality”.
Maria Papada from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Greeks Abroad, a key supporter and consistent presence in the program since its inception, also spoke at the dinner, saying:
“Mr Papastergiadis inspired this program and the beautiful experience you are all about to embark on. It is important to the Greek Government that we bring together our youth from all over the world. I have truly enjoyed being part of this journey.”
The GCM President that, in addition to heritage exploration, the program aims at strengthening future community participation and investing in the next generation of leaders within the Greek diaspora.
“By gaining a deeper appreciation for your culture, language, and homeland, you begin to understand the importance of our diaspora communities. Many past participants and their families have since become active members of the GCM,” he said.
“Our Hellenic communities around the world can only survive through the involvement of the next generation. This program nurtures that involvement by sparking a genuine interest in all aspects of Hellenism from culture and language to civic and community engagement.”
Papastergiadis expressed his desire for the participants to absorb the experience, and carry it forward by engaging with their local Greek communities upon returning home.
The GCM expressed its gratitude to Maria Papada, the Greek Government, the YMCA of Thessaloniki and all supporters of the program.
