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N. & S. AMERICA REGION
��� WORLD BOARD, NEW GREEK GOVERNMENT, MEET TO MAP FUTURE Tomaras presents Action Plan for N. & S. America Region
Thessaloniki, 9/6/2004

As a result of its first formal meeting with Greece�s new Government, the worldwide governing board, or Presidium, of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (���) adopted a new 6-year plan to guide its efforts before adjourning. While presenting several new program initiatives, the Plan focuses on improving both the operational efficiency and effectiveness in its role as the official �umbrella� for the hundreds of organizations that represent an estimated 7 million Hellenes in the worldwide Diaspora. It also pays particular attention to the unique needs of the omogenia in the Western Hemisphere.

Deputy Foreign Minister of Greece for Hellenes Abroad, Panagiotis Skandalakis, received the proposed Plan and pledged his unconditional support of ��� saying, �Our Hellenes abroad are an inseparable part of the Greek Nation; it is both my duty, and my personal commitment, to tirelessly work on behalf of Hellenism�s preservation in the countries where they live. These of course are also the feelings and policy of our Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, whose warm regards he has asked me to convey.� Equally strong statements of support for ��� were expressed by President of the Parliament�s Inter-Party Committee for Hellenism Abroad Affairs, Evgenios Haitidis, who underscored the importance of improved communication between ���, each individual Hellene in the Diaspora and the ��� member-organizations to which they belong. The First Vice President of the Inter-Party Committee, Grigoris Niotis, followed up by introducing specific proposals regarding ��Œs funding, utilization of government programs, enhancement of the Foreign Ministry�s General Secretariat for Hellenes Abroad (����) and other operational issues.

Long-Term Goals, Special Focus on N. & S. America
The new Plan adopted by the Presidium includes the development and implementation of major programs designed to resonate with Hellenism on a global scale, promoting Hellenic Culture and the eternal values that emanate from it. These programs will be promoted not only through ��Œs member-organizations, but directly to each individual Hellene, through ��Œs Networks and other means. The Plan also treats the issues confronting our omogenia in the Western Hemisphere with special sensitivity, providing tailored strategies to address them. As part of the discussions surrounding adoption of the new Plan, ��� Vice President and Regional Coordinator for N. & S. America Chris P. Tomaras submitted a comprehensive Action Plan for 2004-05. His Action Plan places particular emphasis on improving the accessibility and quality of Greek elementary education in the U.S. �Our omogenia has many important needs that compete for our limited resources,� said Tomaras in a post-meeting press conference, �but educational issues must be our first priority throughout the Hemisphere, and starting with the U.S.A.� Other major issues addressed during the meeting included the proposed a new Enabling Law for ��� in the Hellenic Republic�s Constitution, the future self-funding of ���, the role of its Networks, preparations for the 2005 Elliniada, recent developments in connection with the Cyprus Issue and ��Œs efforts on behalf of the Athens Olympics.

In addition to Dep. Foreign Min. Skandalakis and M.P. Niotis, the meeting was also honored by the attendance of: Minister for Macedonia-Thrace, Nikolaos Tsiartsionis; Head of the Prefecture of Thessaloniki, Panagiotis Psomiadis; the representative of the Mayor of Thessaloniki, Theodore Akritidis; the representative of the P.M. of Cyprus, Amb. C. Ioannidis; representatives of ����; the local, national and international media.

Tomaras Promotes New �Sister City� for Thessaloniki Despite the press of these many issues, ��Œs Tomaras also made time to meet privately with the Mayor of Thessaloniki, Vasilis Papageorgopoulos, first conveying the official thanks of ��Œs Presidium for the hospitality extended by the government and citizens of Thessaloniki, and second, presenting the proposed �Sister Cities� relationship on behalf of the Mayor and leaders of Zapopan, Mexico. Tomaras had promised to promote the proposed relationship with Thessaloniki during a recent visit to the city of 1.2 million near Guadalajara.

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