A series of Conferences in Athens

At the initiative of the Mayor of Athens Mr. Nikitas Kaklamanis. a series of coferences will be organised by the City of Athens in cooperation with the Organisation of the Athens Concert Hall (Megaron) and with the participation of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, National Education and Religious Affairs and Culture. Further partners are the National Book Centre of Greece. the Foundation of Hellenic Culture and the Council of Greeks Abroad.

The Conferences will concern 1) the modern Greek Studies 2) the archaeological and Byzantine studies and 3) the activity of Greek scientists in universities around the world, with the aim to promote, support and network these scientific activities.

The Conferences will issue an action plan for the next three years and after that period they will review the results and set new objectives. Athens will thus gather alternatively every three years each of these scientific communities.

The First World Conference on Modern Greek Studies

Athens 2-5 July 2008

The role of this Conference is complex and the issues to be adressed multiple, as "Modern Greek Studies" all over the world constitute the nucleus of an inter-disciplinary and inter-cultural nexus constantly being reshaped.

The Conference aims at safeguarding co-operation of all those institutions and agents involved in the field of Modern Greek Studies, who have the power and willingness to protect and strengthen, by virtue of the Greek language, the scientific work regarding Greece, related books and editions, other actions and participatory activities unfolding within various social groups and the admiration and respect that Greek Culture inspires.

The Organisational Committee consists of:

Prof. Dr. Constantine Dimadis, President of the European Society of Modern Greek Studies

Prof. Dr. Stathis Gourgouris, President of the Modern Greek Studies Association ( MGSA ) of North America

Prof. Dr. Antonis Drakopoulos, representative of the Modern Greek Studies Association of Australia and New Zealand

Prof. Dr. Vincente Fernandez Gonzalez

Prof. Dr. Hans Eideneier

Prof. Dr. Jacques Bouchard

Prof. Dr. Dimitris Tziovas

Ms. Catherine Velissaris, Director of the the National Book Centre of Greece

Ms. Anna Driva, Head of the Political Office of Mr. Kassimis, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Sirigos, Special Secretary of Education of the Diaspora and cross-cultural education, Ministry of National Education and Religious Affairs

Ms. Alkistis Soulogianni, Director of International Relations, Ministry o0f Culture

Prof. Dr. Vassilis Lambrinoudakis, representative of the Hellenic Foundation of Culture

Mr. Stefanos Pandermalis, representative of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad ( SAE )

Mr. Nikos Manolopoulos, General Director of the Athens Concert Hall

Mr. Rodolfos Maslias, Cultural Advisor to the Mayor of Athens

Ms. Stella Panayotopoulou, Municipality of Athens, secretariat

Ms. Fania Pallikaraki, Municipality of Athens, secretariat

Ms. Tonia Masouridou, Municipality of Athens

The Organisational and Scientific Committee of the Conference after the meeting on November, 10, 2007 at the Athens Concert Hall has finalised the Thematic Sessions of the Conference as follows:

1. What is meant by "Modern Greek Studies"?

2. Modern Greek Studies at the Three Continents

3. Modern Greek Studies, Interdisciplinarity and New Approaches

4. Modern Greek Studies and Research

5. Modern Greek, Ancient Greek, and Byzantine Studies

6. Modern Greek among the Languages of the World

7. New Tools for Language Teaching

8. Books and Translation

9. Modern Greek Studies and the Internet

10. Modern Greek Studies and Work Prospects

11. Moden Greek Studies and the Diaspora

12. Modern Greek Studies and the Greek State