October 18th, 2017
Open Letter to the Hellenic Republic – Ministry of Foreign Affairs
To: The Honorable Terence-Nikolaos Quick Ministry of Foreign Affairs Hellenic Republic
United States, October 18, 2017
Dear Dep. Foreign Minister for matters of the Hellenic Diaspora,
The National Hellenic Student Association (NHSA) of North America welcomes your visit to the United States and highlights the practical and symbolic significance of this action for the Greek diaspora and especially the youth.
Regarding your commentary about the diaspora’s use of the Greek language at events during your visit to Florida, we would like to note the following, while also informing you of the work of the young Hellenic Diaspora in America:
NHSA held its annual conference in Atlanta a few days ago (13-15 October 2017), gathering a host of Greek students and young professionals from across the U.S. An important subject of this conference, whose focus was the environment, energy and sustainability, was the importance of the use and preservation of the Greek language by the Hellenic Diaspora.
Representing the Hellenic youth in the U.S., I would like to affirm the use of the Greek language in every manifestation of Hellenism. We believe that the knowledge of the Greek language through the generations of immigrants is not only a fundamental prerequisite for the creation of an inherent link with our homeland, but also a social connector for the intellectual growth and preservation of Hellenism.
Based on the aforementioned, we wish, at least in part, to conduct our events in Greek. However, it is important to note that using Greek exclusively can be an inhibitor for second or third generation Greeks who are interested in attending our conferences who have limited knowledge of the Greek language. Nevertheless, we continue to use Greek among ourselves within the executive board and during our social events.
To underscore the importance of the role of the Greek language in the survival and dynamic continuation of Hellenism in America, we strongly urge you to endorse our Association, along with other like-minded organizations. Through the strengthening of ties between the Greek government and the Hellenic diaspora, and formal endorsements and support of the Greek youth and other like-minded organizations, we, as a community, can take more decisive actions and successfully raise funds to promote and preserve the Greek language and culture.
More specifically, we request:
Respectfully,
Alexander Thomopulos
President, National Hellenic Student Association (NHSA) of North America [email protected]
[email protected] www.nhsaofamerica.org
United States, October 18, 2017
Dear Dep. Foreign Minister for matters of the Hellenic Diaspora,
The National Hellenic Student Association (NHSA) of North America welcomes your visit to the United States and highlights the practical and symbolic significance of this action for the Greek diaspora and especially the youth.
Regarding your commentary about the diaspora’s use of the Greek language at events during your visit to Florida, we would like to note the following, while also informing you of the work of the young Hellenic Diaspora in America:
NHSA held its annual conference in Atlanta a few days ago (13-15 October 2017), gathering a host of Greek students and young professionals from across the U.S. An important subject of this conference, whose focus was the environment, energy and sustainability, was the importance of the use and preservation of the Greek language by the Hellenic Diaspora.
Representing the Hellenic youth in the U.S., I would like to affirm the use of the Greek language in every manifestation of Hellenism. We believe that the knowledge of the Greek language through the generations of immigrants is not only a fundamental prerequisite for the creation of an inherent link with our homeland, but also a social connector for the intellectual growth and preservation of Hellenism.
Based on the aforementioned, we wish, at least in part, to conduct our events in Greek. However, it is important to note that using Greek exclusively can be an inhibitor for second or third generation Greeks who are interested in attending our conferences who have limited knowledge of the Greek language. Nevertheless, we continue to use Greek among ourselves within the executive board and during our social events.
To underscore the importance of the role of the Greek language in the survival and dynamic continuation of Hellenism in America, we strongly urge you to endorse our Association, along with other like-minded organizations. Through the strengthening of ties between the Greek government and the Hellenic diaspora, and formal endorsements and support of the Greek youth and other like-minded organizations, we, as a community, can take more decisive actions and successfully raise funds to promote and preserve the Greek language and culture.
More specifically, we request:
- An official endorsement of NHSA and other organizations aimed at promoting the Greek language and Greek culture. A closer relationship between Greece and the diaspora organizations of this character is necessary, especially at a time characterized by the increased emigration of highly skilled Greeks. We wholeheartedly support and applaud initiatives such as educational trips to Greece, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as other Ministries, with the mission of promoting and preserving the Greek language and culture among our youth. In this context, we particularly appreciate your visit to the Hellenic programs in Boston, and your recognition of the Boston University Philhellenes, whom we had the pleasure of working with for our Convention in Boston (Nov. 11-13, 2016).
- A formal recognition of the need to support an organized initiative to help Hellenic Diaspora organizations promote the Greek language and culture, in tandem with the exemplary model of the Leadership 100 Fund, which is a brilliant example of support for the Greek Orthodox Churches.
Respectfully,
Alexander Thomopulos
President, National Hellenic Student Association (NHSA) of North America [email protected]
[email protected] www.nhsaofamerica.org