AHIF 2nd
Annual Conference on the Future of Hellenism in America calls for more
active engagement of Greek Americans in the Community
WASHINGTON,
DC – On October 18, 2003, the American Hellenic
Institute Foundation held its 2nd Annual Conference on
"The Future of Hellenism in America" at the J.W. Marriott Hotel.
The conference featured prominent speakers from the fields of the
academia, journalism and the private sector, who identified key challenges
facing the Greek American community today.
The speakers were: Dr. Dan Georgakas, Director of the Greek
American Studies Project at the Center for Byzantine and Modern Greek
Studies at Queens College, John Metaxas, Esq., Producer at the
CNBC, Aristotelis A. Chronis, Esq., Business Development Director
of Special Counsel, Inc and Co-founder of DC Greeks.com, Gene Rossides,
President of the American Hellenic Institute Foundation and Emmanuel
"Manny" Rouvelas, Esq., Chairman of Preston Gates Ellis
& Rouvelas Meeds LLP. The panel was chaired by James Marketos, Esq.,
Chairman of the American Hellenic Institute. The Conference ended with the
luncheon address by Dr. John Brademas, President Emeritus of New
York University.
Dr. Dan Georgakas gave a very insightful presentation of the situation of
the Modern Greek studies programs in the U.S. and identified the
challenges that the Greek American academic community is currently facing.
Dr. Georgakas identified Greek American scholarship as "motherless
discipline" that depends on the area of specialization of each
instructor and stressed that there is not "a functioning Greek
American academic community but there are only freelancers." Dr.
Georgakas addressed the central question of where do Greek Americans fit
in Hellenism and elaborated on the relationship between Greeks and Greek
Americans. He concluded his presentation with a positive acknowledgement
of the powerful position that many Greek-Americans are in and urged them
to strengthen their Hellenic side.
Mr. John Metaxas touched on the importance of engaging the American media
and presented the issue from his standpoint as a Greek American
journalist. Mr. Metaxas shared some of the dilemmas he faced during his
career and mentioned examples where he tried to maintain his objectivity
as a journalist but at the same time honor his Hellenic heritage. He
reiterated the importance of shaping public consciousness through
reference to historical events and stressed the importance of knowing well
Greek history in order to promote Hellenism. Mr. Metaxas concluded his
speech by naming the American Hellenic Institute as a leading organization
in dealing with the issues facing the Greek American community today.
Mr. Aristotelis Chronis focused on the importance of engaging the youth to
be active participants of Hellenism and spoke from personal experience as
a Greek American who went through all major fora for socialization into
Hellenism, such as Greek school, church and college. Mr. Chronis stressed
the need for engaging the youth not out of obligation but of genuine
Hellenic interest. With this in mind, he talked about the creation of the
DC Greeks.com, an internet community that he co-founded with his brother
Themis, whose main purpose is to engage Greek youth in Hellenism.
Mr. Gene Rossides stressed the need for more active involvement of the
Greek American community in American politics, through more active
participation in the political process with elected officials and
candidates and through financial contributions to candidates and political
parties. Mr. Rossides reiterated the American Hellenic Institute’s role
in strengthening U.S. relations with Greece and Cyprus and support of the
rule of law and human rights in foreign policy decisions as in the best
interests of the U.S.
Mr. Manny Rouvelas, in his speech "Engaging Greek American
Professionals," identified the problem of social disengagement from
the community as a broader social phenomenon but he stressed that Hellenic
identity can provide the solution, "due to its variety and
richness." Mr. Rouvelas stressed that "we define Hellenism very
narrowly; we confine it with everything being Greek" while the idea
of Hellenism is much broader and represents a certain process of thinking
that involves the notion of choice to engage in the community. Thus the
key issue is to provide the incentives for professionals to engage, not do
it out of obligation.
During the discussion period the audience had the opportunity to ask
questions which ranged in scope from the relationship between Greek
Americans and Greece to the role of the Greek Orthodox Church.
During his luncheon address, Dr. John Brademas provided an overview of the
achievements that Greek Americans have accomplished in various areas of
the American political, economic and social spheres and made insightful
suggestions of how to enhance the educational ties between the U.S. and
Greece. He suggested the advancement of programs on Hellenic Studies in
various universities, support more cultural events that promote Greek
artists and the establishment of endowments and chairs on Hellenic Studies
in prominent universities.
Benefactors who helped make the AHIF's conference possible include: Peter
G. Angelos (Baltimore, MD); Nicholas Bouras (Summit, NJ); Dr. James Faller
(Wilmington, DE), Elias P. Gyftopoulos (Lincoln, MA); James and Nike Lagos
(Springfield, OH); James S. Nicholas (East Grand Rapids, MI); James Pedas
(Washington, DC); Theodore Pedas (Washington, DC); Gene Rossides
(Washington, DC.)
Digital photographs from the 2nd Annual AHIF's conference on The
Future
