PHAROS Alliance: Global push for Greek language gains momentum after high-profile Greece visit

The PHAROS Alliance has reported a large step-up successful planetary designation for its research-led work to sustain Modern Greek successful the diaspora, pursuing a packed programme successful Greece by its President, Professor Emeritus Joseph Lo Bianco.

“There is wide statement that Greek connection attraction overseas needs a research-driven redesign,” said Prof. Lo Bianco. “PHAROS is acceptable with a applicable plan—and we’re gathering the partnerships to present it.

At Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), successful concern with the Greek Applied Linguistics Association, Prof. Lo Bianco delivered the opening keynote astatine the ELLME-25 Conference, convened by Professor Thomai Alexiou (Head of English, AUTH).

Professor Lo Bianco with colleagues astatine the ELLME-25 Conference successful Thessaloniki, highlighting PHAROS’ planetary designation successful Greek connection argumentation and diaspora research.

Thessaloniki: ELLME-25 keynote + hands-on workshop

• Attendance: 150 delegates from 17 countries.
• Focus: An overview of modern language-policy theory, charting its optimism, critique and betterment phases and the lawsuit for a “new design” to support Greek abroad, grounded successful research.
• Workshop: A applicable league with 45 participants (mostly Greece-based) explored implementation, with strong involvement successful the PHAROS approach.

During the visit, Prof. Lo Bianco met Deputy Minister for Education Nikolaos Papaioannou, presenting his publication ‘Pharos -The vitality and beingness of Modern Greek successful modern Australia (2021)’. The gathering underscored consciousness astatine elder authorities level of PHAROS initiatives.

Experts from Greece, Australia, and Europe articulation the “Revitalisation of Greek successful Australia” sheet astatine EKPA’s planetary seminar connected connection argumentation and multilingualism.

Athens: EKPA forum connected argumentation & practice

In Athens, Prof. Lo Bianco was impermanent keynote astatine an planetary seminar hosted by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (EKPA) and the Research Institute for Language Policy and Multilingualism (EIPOL) astatine EKPA’s caller linguistics centre.

Senior officials from aggregate ministries participated, with a connection from the Education Minister.

Professor Emerita Bessie Dendrinos outlined EIPOL’s European and Greece-specific remit; Dr Kia Karavas led opening discussions connected drafting caller connection policies underpinned by research.

A sheet connected “Revitalisation of Greek successful Australia” featured: Dr Stephie Nikoloudis (La Trobe University), Professor Irini-Tsamadou Jacoberger (University of Strasbourg), Dr Eleni Sella (EIPOL), with further perspectives linking Istanbul, Strasbourg, Greece, South Africa, the US, Canada and Argentina.

Chair: Dr Maria Iakovou (EIPOL). The league highlighted PHAROS arsenic a scalable, evidence-based exemplary and catalysed follow-up readying with academics and nationalist officials.

Concluding the trip, Prof. Lo Bianco met Education Minister Sofia Zacharaki for a forward-looking briefing connected PHAROS’ vision and adjacent steps. The treatment was described arsenic constructive and probing, with statement to proceed dialog connected Greek connection attraction successful the diaspora.

A signaling of the EKPA lawsuit is available via the University’s channels.

Back successful Victoria: programs & participation

Free Greek Cinema for Children: Save the date

In concern with the Victorian Department of Education, PHAROS Alliance will big a escaped household screening during Children’s Week 2025.

When: Sunday, 19 October 2025

Details: Program and venue to beryllium announced.

Children’s Week 2025 will tally from 18–26 October under the theme “Everyone should cognize astir Children’s Rights.” PHAROS Alliance is joining celebrations with a escaped Greek movie screening for families successful Victoria.

Greek Storytime – Expressions of Interest present open

Greek Storytime welcomes pre-school children of each abilities to observe Greek done engaging, interactive storytelling (some sessions see Key Word Sign). The programme is escaped and presently runs at:

Doncaster, Glenroy, Malvern, Northcote, Richmond, Oakleigh libraries and the Clayton Community Centre.

New sites sought: Mornington (SE), Thomastown/Lalor (North), St Albans oregon Point Cook (West).

EOI form: Use the QR codification connected the flyer oregon the abbreviated nexus provided by PHAROS.

Media enquiries: Evie – 0403 612 388.