It is a great pleasure to welcome this year’s International Summer University, a successful event organized for the 11^th consecutive year, that became an institution. The International Summer University brings together representatives of the new generation of the Greek Diaspora and distinguished scientists and personalities from various fields, building bridges of communication and cooperation between Greece and the Greeks abroad and promoting the Greek language and culture.   

The city of Boston, known as the Athens of America, with its large and dynamic Greek community, hosts for another year the International Summer University, with the special title: ‘Diaspora mass media: challenges and prospects for the Greek language and culture’. Greece supports this initiative, which will be held one more year under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The International Summer University will provide an excellent opportunity to discuss the strengthening of the Greek language and culture, two key priorities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Strategic Plan for Greeks Abroad, focusing on the new generation of Greeks Abroad and the use of modern technological tools.

In the framework of our Strategic Plan for Greeks Abroad, we have upgraded the online educational platform staellinika.com and we promote Greek distance learning courses in cooperation with Greek universities.  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also signed a Protocol of Cooperation with the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, aiming at further promoting the Greek language and culture abroad and reconnecting with the new generation of the Greek Diaspora and Greek scientists working abroad, through our network of diplomatic and consular authorities around the world.

Particular emphasis is put on expanding the hosting programs in Greece for children and youth of the Greek Diaspora. These programs offer them the opportunity to improve their Greek and to learn more about Greek history and culture, bringing them closer to their country of origin. 

I think it is particularly important that this year’s edition of the International Summer University highlights the crucial and multidimensional role of the Diaspora mass media: they promote the Greek language and culture, contribute to preserving the identity of Greek communities around the world and create communication channels between Greece and the Greeks abroad.  Our aim is to enhance initiatives and synergies that will help the Diaspora mass media to better serve the Greek Diaspora and to fulfill their demanding role.

In closing, I would like to congratulate the organizers for this praiseworthy initiative and wish a successful 11^th edition of the International Summer University!