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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Main opposition SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance leader Stefanos Kasselakis, in a social media post on Monday from New York, expressed his gratitude to the thousands of members and friends of the party that voted in the election to select the party's candidates in the upcoming European Parliament elections on June 9.
Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris, Senator Andrew Gounardes, and Senator James Skoufis honored Greek Independence at the State Capitol on Tuesday, welcoming His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, who offered an invocation before the Senate. The legislators also passed aResolution J2055 commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the illegal invasion and ongoing occupation of Cyprus.
“As the son of Greek immigrants, I am especially proud to represent the community known for the largest concentration of the Greek diaspora,” said Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris. “It is also a time to remember that our brothers and sisters in Cyprus are yet to have the freedom they deserve after 50 years of illegal occupation.”
"As a fourth-generation Greek-American, I'm immensely proud to celebrate the 203rd anniversary of Greece’s independence in the halls of the New York State Capitol," said State Senator Andrew Gounardes. "This day is an opportunity to honor generations past in their struggle for freedom, to celebrate the vibrant Greek community here in New York that weathered hardship in search of a better life, and to open our hearts to all those whose yearning for freedom and independence mirror our own."
“I am deeply proud of my Greek heritage and of the thousands of my fellow Greek-Americans who live and work in New York. Today allows us the opportunity to reflect on the many contributions of the Greek diaspora and to celebrate those individuals within our own districts who enrich their communities every day," said State Senator James Skoufis.
The anniversary of Greek Independence was observed with the passage of a ResolutionJ2029 proclaiming March as Greek History Month in New York State.
The Senate resolution proclaiming March as Greek History Month celebrates the 203rd anniversary of Greek Independence. Greek Independence Day commemorates the date when Greece declared independence from the Ottoman Empire and began the Greek War of Independence in 1821.
“It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to be able to recognize our Greek American contributions to our communities and Nation as well to democratic governments across the world,” said Assemblyman John Lemondes.
“It was my pleasure to welcome back His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America to Albany today alongside many Greek and Cypriot friends for our Greek Heritage Celebration. 50 years ago, the Turkish invasion of Cyprus displaced thousands of Cypriots from their homes. Many of them fled to New York City. This week, we commemorated the 50th year dark anniversary of this injustice. We also celebrate people from the Cypriot and Greek communities that have established themselves within our community. Maria Pappas is a shining example of such an individual. She has been incredibly influential to the Cypriot community in New York. She has also broken barriers both in the investment industry and in being elected the first woman President of the Cyprus-US Chamber of Commerce,” saidAssemblyman Tannousis.
About Archbishop Elpidophoros: His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, Most Honorable Exarch of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, is the eighth Archbishop of America elected since the establishment of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in 1922.
The annual Greek Independence Day reception was held at the White House on Thursday. This is a special honour given by the US government to Greece, as the Greek-American and Irish communities are the only national groups in the US to celebrate their national anniversary at the White House every year. This particular event, in addition to its strong communicative character, offers a first-class opportunity to the Greek-American community to convey messages to the US political leadership.