It is a pleasure to be here today, and indeed this is an event to which I come with great joy. Because at this gathering, the youth of Greece comes together from all corners of the world, allowing us here, in the Metropolis, to feel that we are serving our homeland, serving the wider family of Hellenism, and that, at this very moment, we can feel proud of our youth, who will one day assume the responsibility for the future of our country—hopefully sooner rather than later.
Dear friends, Your Excellencies, Ambassadors, Madam President,
We could not have chosen a more fitting venue for this assembly than the "Hellenic Cosmos" Cultural Center, with all the symbolism it embodies. For Hellenism is greater than geography; it has no limits, no boundaries. Wherever Greeks may find themselves, they thrive, they preserve their bonds with the homeland, and they remain, in their hearts, more Greek than any of us. For this reason, it is a great honour for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be organising this year the 2nd Youth Diaspora Symposium, which brings all of you close to us.
I would particularly like to congratulate the Deputy Minister, Mr Loverdos, and the Secretary General, Ms Myrogianni, because compared to last year, I see an even broader participation, both in the number of delegates, as well as in geographical representation. Last year, participants came from 16 countries; this year they come from 31. We had four continents represented; this year we have five. We have no other goal to accomplish in the next year, Madam Secretary General, but I am certain that we can welcome many more young people, and it will be our pleasure to have them here with us next year.
We will also have the opportunity to review the accomplishments achieved by the Ambassadors during the past year, to whom we gave the title of Youth Ambassadors, and to confer the new titles for the coming cycle.
We wish to preserve this nucleus of Hellenism up to its most vibrant cell. For this reason, this initiative is not an isolated event, but rather the starting point of a new, enduring effort. And we at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are committed to ensuring the continuous follow-up of all the activities and achievements that you will realise in the years to come.
I would also like to highlight once again the dedication of the Deputy Minister and the Secretary General to our National Strategic Plan for Greeks Abroad. A three-year plan aimed precisely at cultivating the essential cradle of Hellenism, enabling us both to bring Greeks abroad closer to the homeland, and to bring the homeland closer to Greeks abroad.
Hellenism is one and indivisible. This year’s thematic axes are particularly significant, and could not be otherwise. Because, dear friends, what we are experiencing today is truly a time of upheaval, of tectonic shifts across the global geopolitical landscape. Each day we are confronted with a new crisis, a new challenge. All contemporary challenges have a universal, translocal character, whether they concern the climate crisis, food security, public health, or armed conflicts. All crises now resonate across the globe, and for this reason we must feel that each of us, individually, forms part of the world as a whole.
I would especially like to underline the fact that there is a need for you to act as genuine ambassadors of Greece in the countries where you reside.
You are invited to form strong networks around our Embassies and Consulates, our country’s diplomatic missions abroad. To be able to further cultivate the universal Greek cultural heritage and the Greek language. To disseminate throughout the world the enduring values that have always defined Hellenism.
And in 2026, we will have yet one more reason. On February 9, we will celebrate, for the first time, the World Greek Language Day. This significant initiative, undertaken by Greece and recognised by UNESCO two weeks ago, proclaimed the Greek language as a language of global significance, which we will now celebrate. There is no need to elaborate on the Greek language’s contribution to arts, culture, and philosophy. Everything connected to civilisation is, ultimately, connected to the Greek language. You should cultivate it.
Always keep your homeland in your thoughts, keep your aspirations high. Remember that you are the ones who will save the world. You will be the ones who will take the reins and with this responsibility, you will move forward, based on the values you have received from your family, but also the values that nestle in your hearts. May Greece always remain within your soul.
My warmest congratulations.
November 25, 2025