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Global Educational and Maritime Leaders Sign Significant "Blue Frontiers" Agreement at ACS Athens to Champion Ocean Stewardship

Global Educational and Maritime Leaders Sign Significant "Blue Frontiers" Agreement at ACS Athens to Champion Ocean Stewardship (0)

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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George Tsunis: I am leaving the position, but not the country - What he experienced in Greece, his favorite food

George Tsunis: I am leaving the position, but not the country - What he experienced in Greece, his favorite food

Outgoing US ambassador to Greece, George Tsunis, is leaving his position in a few weeks, but not the country where, as he said, he spent "the best three years" of his life.

George Tsunis, speaking late last night on the Mega television station, stressed that he is leaving the embassy but not from Greece, noting that he will always be by our country's side and will help in any way he can.

"The best three years of my life" 

Mr. Tsunis said that he feels "bittersweet" that he is leaving in seven weeks and added that the years of his tenure in Greece were "the best three years of my life".

Referring to US-Greece relations, he described them as excellent, while speaking about Greek-Turkish relations, he said that the situation in the Aegean is calm now, and it is better for both Greece and Turkey. He added that the US wants the resolution of the Greek-Turkish differences through diplomatic means because the alternative is unthinkable, as he said. He estimated that as long as they cannot be resolved, they can be defused, and described stability as an important priority for the United States. He expressed the hope that nothing will change in relations with Greece after the election of Donald Trump, and said that in the last 15 years, things have been good, and relations have been better between the US and Greece.

Mr. Tsunis described Greece as an important strategic partner of the US in the region, while noting that the values ​​that the US respects, such as democracy, were born in Greece.

Speaking on a personal tone, he referred to his family, to his ancestral home in Mountainous Nafpaktia, while he spoke with great emotion about his father, whom he lost many years ago.

Referring to his tenure in Greece, he said that there was no conflict of interest between the US and Greece, while noting that the first advice he received as ambassador was that he should be "buttoned up", because he is not a professional diplomat.

He also expressed his satisfaction with the acceptance he experiences from Greeks, when he visits various parts of the country and in Athens. In addition, he commented that Greece should be a "beacon of opportunities", like the US, and that children should have opportunities, so that they can become the best version of themselves.

Referring to the war in Ukraine, he described it as a “complete tragedy,” but pointed out that no matter how tragic the situation is, it would be worse if the war spread.

He expressed pride in Greece, which, while 12 years ago it was the “black sheep” of Europe, as he said, has changed today, emerging from this situation as the fastest growing country with a growth rate three times that of the eurozone and is doing very well. He also stressed the need to create an innovation ecosystem and said that there is interest from American universities to come to Greece.

Asked about the Parthenon sculptures, George Tsunis said that ancient objects must return to their place of origin.

Finally, he praised the beauties of Greece, expressed his admiration for the areas he visited, both at sea and in the mountains, said that he does not forget his roots, and mentioned that his favorite food is psarosoupa - fish soup.

Syria: Agony for Greeks living in the country

Syria: Agony for Greeks living in the country

“All my relatives and the rest of the Greeks are locked in their homes. They do not communicate with anyone, not even with each other,” says a Greek-Syrian living in Aleppo

The dramatic developments in Syria have brought the country into a state of absolute chaos, as rebels and jihadists have seized almost all major cities. The fighting continues with unabated intensity, while fear and uncertainty prevail, with thousands of citizens trapped in the vortex of war.

The small Greek community in Syria is facing an unprecedented crisis. Many Greeks, who have lived and worked in the country for decades, have isolated themselves in their homes, following the instructions of the Patriarchate of Antioch and the Greek Embassy. The authorities have recommended that they avoid all travel and remain in safe places, as the situation on the streets is extremely dangerous.

They themselves live in anguish, while they have cut off all types of communication, even through social networks, so as not to expose their location or attract attention. Despite the possibility of evacuation, most say they are determined to remain in the country, considering that being removed from their homes and communities is more dangerous than staying.

Testimony of a Greek-Syrian: “They live locked in their homes”

D.K., a Greek-Syrian who lives in Greece and has relatives in Aleppo, describes the situation in the darkest colors:

“All my relatives and the rest of the Greeks in Aleppo are locked in their homes. They do not communicate with anyone, not even with each other. They live in a state of absolute fear, waiting for developments. The situation is dramatic and we do not know what will happen tomorrow,” he says characteristically.

Until a few days ago, 50 families (about 150 people) lived in Aleppo and 15 in Damascus.

His testimony reveals the harsh reality experienced by the Greek community, which has been cut off from the rest of the world and is watching the development of the situation with horror.

The Patriarchate of Antioch is in constant contact with the Greeks of Syria, providing guidance and support wherever possible. However, limited coordination capabilities, due to the risk in conflict areas, make it difficult to protect the community.

The Greek Embassy is closely monitoring developments, and has already drawn up contingency plans in case the situation deteriorates further. Anxiety for the Greeks in Syria remains at its peak, with families in Greece trying to contact them, often without success.

Young people of the Greek diaspora from four continents united their voices in Athens

Young people of the Greek diaspora from four continents united their voices in Athens

Young people of the Greek diaspora from 16 countries and four continents met for the first time in Athens, at the Hellenic Cosmos Cultural Center on 27-28 November 2024, at the 1st International Conference Greek Youth Diaspora Symposium, entitled “Diaspora Dialogues: Connecting Young Voices Around the World”, organized by the General Secretariat for Hellenism Abroad and Public Diplomacy.

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