The Board of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) had today a joint meeting with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Mr. Skandalakis presented the draft for the new Enabling Law for SAE that will be discussed at the Parliament in November. Until the middle of October SAE Board will have concluded the discussion with the wide base of the organized omogeneia on the context of the new law, while at the same time YPEX will forward it to all relevant agencies.
Prior to its submission to the Parliament, the Enabling Law will be discussed at a special session of the Special Permanent Committee of the Parliament for Issues of Hellenism Abroad.
Andrew A. Athens, SAE President expressed his satisfaction on the context of the draft of the Enabling Law presented by Mr. Panayiotis Skandalakis.
οΏ½I am sure that the new law will respond to the contemporary needs of Hellenes around the world and will strengthen the position of the Omogeneia to the benefit of Greece, Cyprus, the Church and the Ecumenical Patriarchate,οΏ½ Mr. Athens said. SAE President also mentioned that within the ten years since SAEοΏ½s establishment many have been done but now a new era begins for the organizationοΏ½s activities and work.
Mr. Skandalakis mentioned that the new law, pending for years, is a pioneering and radical law and is a part of the effort for the upgrading of SAE in order to be able to face new challenges and become more effective in its work.
οΏ½The enabling law is actually a composition of knowledge, experience and views of all of us and requires courage from all of us to adopt and implement itοΏ½, Mr. Skandalakis. οΏ½We all believe that SAE should be upgraded and SAEοΏ½s work and activities all these years have led us to form this enabling lawοΏ½.
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs mentioned that for the formation of the enabling law the following were considered: the amended proposal of the Board and Regional SAE Coordinating Councils, the discussions of the Special Permanent Committee of the Parliament for Issues of Hellenism Abroad, the draft law prepared by the former Deputy Minister, Mr. Magriotis and the experience of the staff of the General Secretariat of Greeks Abroad.
Regarding the new enabling law, Mr. Skandalakis mentioned that it will ensure the advisory and consultative role of SAE, it will enhance the representation with the increase of the number of Regions, the expansion of the base and its participation at all levels of representation.
At the same time the law will determine membership criteria and its pertinence. It will also determine the term of the Board and will ensure the participation of more individuals, while at the same time it will enhance the decentralization through the strengthening of the Regions, since it foresees the election of the Coordinating Councils at the Regional Conventions.
The World Convention will be held every three years in order to have enough time for the preparation and implementation of work, while the number of participants with the relevant reduction of cost and the more effective operation of the organization.
Regarding financial issues, the Deputy Minister mentioned that the law will ensure SAEοΏ½s funding for its operation, the Regions will receive direct funding while there will be financial auditing for SAEοΏ½s expenses.