|
It took about a century for Epirote migrants to elect a World Council of Expatriate Epirotes. But new targets and goals were set at the First World Conference of Expatriate Epirotes. They also elected their International Coordinating body that will be representing them in all forums. Famous Greek-American author and film producer of Epirotic descent Nikolas Gatzogiannis was elected President, Chrysostomos Dimou Vice President , Georgios Kallides from Egypt Secretary General , Georgios Vellis from Australia Special Secretary, and Ilias Betzios from the US was elected Treasurer.
The conclusions of the Congress are the following:
-
A permanent World Council of Expatriate Epirotes will be founded and the carriage of its present articles will take place.
-
It has been unilaterally decided that the strategic objective of the operation and activities of the World Council of Expatriate Epirotes through its participation in the SAE will be constitutionally institutionalized, consultative, claimant, and operational for the development and prosperity of Epirus, Hellas in general, as well as for expatriate Hellenes.
-
The World Council of Expatriate Epirotes should cooperate with all existing Epirotic bodies in Hellas and abroad and especially with the Pan-Epirotic Confederation of Hellas.
-
An agreement should be reached between the World Council of Expatriate Epirotes and the University of Ioannina for the creation of classes of young expatriate Epirotes, who will be taught the Hellenic language and history, as well as be informed about the diachronic development of the Hellenic culture.
-
Cooperation between the World Council of Expatriate Epirotes and the University of Ioannina, so as researches are planned and carried out for the setting up of a World Network of Expatriate Epirotes. This will register expatriate Epirote scientists, and men of letters and arts, which will help in the prosperity of development of Epirus and expatriate Epirotes.
-
The World Council of Expatriate Epirotes should cooperate with the Ioannina Chamber of Commerce, so as researches are planned and carried out for the planning and registering, as well as the creation of a World Network of Expatriate Epirote businessmen who will help in the economic development of Epirus and expatriate Epirotes.
-
The World Network of Expatriate Epirotes should cooperate with the University of Ioannina, so as researches are planned and carried out that will record the history, as well as the cultural, social, economic and political activities of Expatriate Epirotes.
Present at the Congress were many politicians. Minister of Foreign Affairs Dora Bakoyannis, who opened officially the Congress, stated that she was proud of the expatriate EpirotesΆ work abroad.
Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas congratulated the organizers of the Congress for their initiative, wishing for the institutionalization of this step. Also present were the Metropolitan of Ioannina; Messrs Haitides; Niotis; Zagoritis; Bezas; Trifonides; Kalogiannis; Fousas; Pantoulas; Godas; Kachrimanis and many others.
The local governments of the City of Ioannina, the Prefecture of Ioannina and Epirus Region gave a banquet in honor of all participants, accompanied by music from Epirus.
The Congress proved of decisive importance to expatriate Epirotes, who have been migrating since the 20th century and tried to bring together four generations of expatriate Epirotes.
Finally, the Coordinating Council decided that that Congress would become the fundamental step for the staging and institutionalization of the First World Congress of Expatriate Epirotes that will take place in 2008.
|
