My speech at the Egyptian Cultural Center “THE ROLE OF ARABIC JOURNALISM IN GREECE TODAY”

My speech at the Egyptian Cultural Center “THE ROLE OF ARABIC JOURNALISM IN GREECE TODAY”

Ladies and Gentlemen, good evening

Professional journalists of Arabic origin in Greece are measured in about 32, including technicians working in Greek media.

Despite the difficulties they face with Language and the different culture and tradition, they are struggling to collect valid information in order to reach the Information in the Arab world as well as in the Arab communities.

  • Topicality and Professionality:

The timeliness and changes in the Arab world, as well as the social and economic problems of these countries, directly affect the psychology of the journalist, as professional as he is.

Cultivating culture, dialogue, respect and tolerance among journalists and citizens and the authorities of the country give a basis of mutual respect and solidarity to the work they offer to society.

The journalist must treat the news with seriousness, professionalism and validity, without discrimination, nation, religion, color and ideology.

  • Role of journalists of Arabic origin in Greek media:

The coverage of the events from Greece to abroad is fully organized by the Arab correspondents, but the reverse coverage of those events from the Arab countries towards the Greek citizen is incomplete. In other European countries there are channels and radios from businessmen or professional journalists who work and sensitize their societies to the benefit of the Arab people, but unfortunately in Greece we do not see it.

Except of, the few interventions of Arab citizens in Greek media.

  • Arabic Forms and Electronic Media:

For 30 years there have been attempts by journalists or Arab citizens to establish a powerful tool to meet the needs of communities for information. However, due to the lack of support and funding, most of the efforts have failed, and at this point I would like to congratulate Mr Canafani on his efforts to continue his work in the middle of the social and economic crisis, as well as Mr Sasati who chose to continue using the new information technologies and the portal adifatan.

Finally, I would like to mention the great role of Arab youth in Greece through a social networking tool that provides immediate information to communities.

My Speech at the Hellenic-American Union

First event of the Hellenic U.S. Alumni Association under the title “The refugee crisis: A multi-factor issue”

More than 70 people attended the 1st event of the Hellenic U.S. Alumni Association under the title “The refugee crisis: A multi-factor issue“ on Friday April 15 at ALBA Graduate Business School.

Four speakers Mr. Alexandros Zavos (President of the Hellenic Migration Policy Institute), Mr. Jean-Daniel Colombani (General Manager of WIN GROUP), Mr. Asef Farjam (Intercultural Mediator, NGO Doctors of the World) and Mr. George Koumoutsakos (Member of Greek Parliament, ex-Member of European Parliament and New Democracy spokesman) – all of them past participants of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) – discussed the current status of the refugee/migration crisis, its implications for Europe at a political and economic level, and the various effects the crisis has had, especially for people of Greece. The discussion was moderated by Konstantina Botsiou, Associate Professor of Modern History and International Politics at the University of the Peloponnese.

The Hellenic U.S. Alumni is a dynamic and interactive community for past and current participants of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs. It is one of many fantastic alumni groups within the International Exchange Alumni network.