As Rector of the University of the Aegean, I welcome you to the 4th International Conference “Perspectives on the Hellenic Diaspora”, which our university is co-organizing with the University of Charles Darwin and the University of Macedonia. This conference reinforces the collaboration between the three universities, but also highlights our academic interest in the Greek Diaspora.

The UAegean is committed both nationally and internationally to excellence, aiming to promote innovative, pioneering, cutting-edge research through systematic collaborations with a wide network of high-ranking universities. The track-record of basic and applied interdisciplinary, cross-cultural research has granted the UAegean a prestigious place among scientific and academic community, and a plethora of awards and distinctions have placed it at the forefront of science and technology.

With accomplished academic staff and scientists enjoying worldwide recognition, and with over than one hundred state of the art laboratories and research groups, the UAegean encourages and supports research in an ethical, sustainable, productive, multicultural service and application-oriented environment, on a team and individual basis. Specialized, cross-country, fast track research agendas cover a broad range of disciplines and are frequently at the core of joint MoUs (Memoranda of Understanding).

The collaboration between the University of the Aegean and the University of Charles Darwin began in 2007 when a collaborative initiative was signed between the two universities. One year later at the School of Humanities of the Aegean University in Rhodes, Greece, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the two institutions. This agreement led to the strengthening of collaboration between our educational institutions and promoted new teaching/learning methods and technological tools for Greek language education in the diaspora. In 2014, a new memorandum of understanding was signed which also included the University of Macedonia.

Three jointly organized conferences on “Perspectives on the Hellenic Diaspora” followed in 2017, 2019 and 2022 and took place on consecutive dates on all three campuses (Darwin, Rhodes and Thessaloniki). These conferences led to an interchange of scientific expertise and the publication of three collective volumes so far. One of the main purposes of this fourth conference in 2024 is to bring together expertise on the Greek diaspora around the world and to approach perspectives on the Hellenic diaspora from an interdisciplinary perspective that will lead to sustainability and support for the Greek language and culture. In today’s globalized world, the Hellenic Diaspora continues to evolve and adapt. The challenges and opportunities of modern migration, integration, and multiculturalism require us to re-examine our perspectives and approaches. As we navigate through these complexities, it is crucial to foster a deeper understanding of the experiences and contributions of the Hellenic Diaspora

Professor Dimitrios Papageorgiou,

Rector – University of the Aegean, Greece