ACS Athens proudly hosted the signing ceremony for the Blue Frontiers Program, an inspiring international partnership between Roger Williams University, the International Propeller Club Port of Piraeus, the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation, and ACS Athens. This collaborative initiative establishes a strategic alliance dedicated to advancing maritime education and ocean stewardship for the next generation of leaders.
The program, centered on a commitment known as "Our Pledge," offers students a real-world summer exploration of the Earth’s oceans and the burgeoning global Blue economy. By combining academic rigor with scientific research and industry networking, the partners aim to inspire youth to protect and sustainably manage marine environments.
The event featured impactful remarks by ACS Athens President Dr. Peggy Pelonis and Mr. Costis Frangoulis, President of the International Propeller Club, Port of Piraeus, whose vision and leadership continue to champion environmental stewardship and youth opportunity. The ceremony also welcomed Dr. Dionysia-Theodora Avgerinopoulou, Greek Prime Minister’s Envoy for the Ocean and Chair of the Special Parliamentary Committee on Environmental Protection, who underscored the national and global importance of such initiatives.
A significant highlight of the partnership is the generous scholarship support provided by Mr. Frangoulis and the Propeller Club, which helps make this transformative experience accessible to students. Additional insights were shared during the ceremony by Ms. Carla Tanas, Dean of the Institute, and Ms. Beatriz Tintoré of the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation, who both emphasized the vital intersection of research, sustainability, and experiential learning.
Through the Blue Frontiers summer program, students are challenged to embrace Conscious Global Citizenship—applying their skills, compassion, and learning to protect the oceans and improve life and living for future generations.
The official agreement was signed on May 13, 2026, at ACS Athens, marking a new chapter in international educational collaboration for the benefit of the global maritime community.
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In one of the most important events of the Greek diaspora in the USA, which is organized with splendor every year at Epiphany in Tarpon Springs, Florida, the Deputy Minister of Shipping and Insular Policy, Stefanos Ghikas,participated, responding to the call of the Greek diaspora community.
Bishop Nektarios of Dioclea, Protosyngelos of the Holy Archdiocese of America, was briefed on the current developments in Syria by the Syrian-Jacobite Patriarch Ignatius-Ephraim II.
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced today the repatriation of 33 Greek citizens and their family members from Syria.
Specifically, as stated in the announcement, under the coordinated efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Greek embassies in Damascus and Beirut, the repatriation operation of 33 Greek citizens and their family members from Syria was safely completed today, Monday, December 30.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis had a telephone conversation with his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar. The two ministers discussed the situation in Syria and agreed to remain in close contact.
The Greek Foreign Minister stressed the urgent need for immediate peace on all fronts and underlined the importance of quickly restoring regional stability, free from any foreign interference.
The Israeli minister, for his part, in a post referred to the content of the discussion he had with his Greek counterpart, underlining the need to urgently protect Syria's minorities, including Kurds, Alawites and Christians.
He expressed his concerns about the fact that the new government in Damascus has not been democratically elected, as well as that “they are now declaring that elections will only be held after 4 years”, while inviting Mr. Gerapetritis to visit Tel Aviv.
In detail in his post he states:
“I spoke with the Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis. We discussed the situation in Syria and I underlined the need to urgently protect the minorities of Syria, including the Kurds, the Alawites and the Christians.
I added that the new government in Damascus has not been democratically elected. But even more worrying is the fact that
they are now declaring that elections will only be held after 4 years...
I also stressed Israel’s intention to secure an agreement for the hostages in Gaza.
I invited my Greek colleague to visit Israel soon and we agreed to remain in close contact.”