Greek Delegation
In early September, the AIS hosted a delegation from Greece to share experiences and information about the challenges and successes of living in a diverse society. In recent times both Australia and Greece have seen larger number of people wanting to enter their respective countries, either fleeing conflict, imprisonment or looking to build a new life for themselves and loved ones. The visit also focused on strengthening ties between the Greek and Turkish communities through open dialogue and collaboration.
The delegation included Ms Katerina Markou, a former Member of the Greek Parliament and current Director of Papazisis Publishing; Dr Ioannis Kotoulas, an Adjunct Lecturer in Geopolitics at the University of Athens; Ms Georgia Lagou, a seasoned journalist & Mr Hasan Kotsantzi, a law graduate with experience in education, consulting and media. He has been involved in dialogue activities promoting social integration in Greece.
The delegation’s itinerary included several high-profile meetings including members of federal and state parliament, the judiciary, academics from various universities, media representatives and community organisations. The highlight of the Greek delegation’s visit to Melbourne was a thought-provoking panel discussion titled “Immigration & Refugee Policies at the Crossroad: Perspectives from Australia and Greece.” held at Deakin University, the panel featured insights from both Greek and Australian experts on the complex challenges of managing immigration and refugee influxes in today’s global landscape. The panel brought critical discussion on policies and the shared challenges between Greece and Australia to the forefront.
In partnership with Advocates for Dignity, our guests talked about “The Journey of Hizmet Movement Refugees in Greece,” highlighting the humanitarian efforts extended by Greek society towards Turkish refugees. The panel talked about the historical context of the Greek nation and its dealings with migrants and touched on some of the successes the Hizmet Movement refugees have had to date, citing their willingness to accept the new reality of being in a new land. The guests also touched on dispelling the myths about each other as there’s a political history between Turkey and Greece, and the importance of building ‘trust’ between each other as it sows the bonds of a strong resilient society.
This visit not only strengthened ties between the two nations but also showcased the shared values of hospitality, support, and compassion that bridge communities across borders.
Their visit has been covered by the local Greek community newspapers, Neos Kosmos and The Greek Herald
