No. 72

WASHINGTON, DC — Marina Kiotsekoglou, a graduate student at The George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs, and Floriana Boardman, a sophomore at Fordham University, participants on the Tenth Annual AHI Foundation Study Abroad program, had their experiences published recently.

In her piece titled, “Why the Cyprus Conflict Requires International Intervention,” Kiotsekoglou recounted what it was like to experience the Cyprus problem in person and the actions required by the international community to resolve the issue. The International Affairs Review, a graduate student-run publication of the Elliott School of International Affairs in Washington D.C., published her account on November 12, 2018.

“We are thrilled that Marina was able to share her experiences with her peers and the academic community of The George Washington University,” AHI President Nick Larigakis said.  “We thank International Affairs Review for taking an interest in her story. We look forward to providing additional students with the same memorable and educational experiences that Marina encountered on future trips.”

Marina Kiotsekoglou earned her Bachelor of Arts after three years at Pennsylvania State University, where she majored in International Political Economy. She is pursuing a Master’s Degree in International Affairs at the Elliott School. Her two fields of concentration are International Law and Organizations and Conflict Resolution. Marina’s expected graduation date is May 2019.

Floriana Boardman had her study abroad experience published in The Voice, the community news and history of the Charlotte Greek American community.

In her piece titled, “AHI Foundation Foreign Policy Trip: Human Rights and Politics Collide in Cyprus,” Boardman highlights the tragic human rights issue of the missing people in Cyprus. She details the statistics of those still missing from the brutal Turkish invasion in 1974 and how the Cyprus Problem should be viewed from a moral and humanitarian standpoint in order to bring closure to the families of those who’s loved ones are still missing.

“We are equally elated Floriana was able to share her experiences with the large Greek American community of Charlotte,” President Larigakis said.  “We thank The Voice for publishing the experience to the benefit of such an influential community and hope it inspires other students and community leaders from the area to become engaged on the issues.”

Floriana Boardman is majoring in Political Science with a double minor in Orthodox Christian Studies and Middle Eastern Studies. She is a recipient of the Fordham University Loyola Scholarship. At Fordham, Flora is involved with the school newspaper, the Campus Activities Board, The Hellenic Society, UNICEF and Orthodox Christian Fellowship. Floriana spent 2016 working with IOCC as a youth representative, and spent the summer of 2017 studying abroad in Athens through the AHEPA Journey to Greece program.

No. 71

WASHINGTON, DC — American Hellenic Institute (AHI) President Nick Larigakis will present at an international conference titled, “New Realities in the Eastern Mediterranean” to be held at the Konrad Adenauer Conference Center, Mishkenot Shaananim, Jerusalem, December 11, 2018.  The conference is sponsored by The Jerusalem Institute for Strategic Studies (JISS) and B’nai B’rith International (BBI) and held in cooperation with AHI and the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (Order of AHEPA).

“We are pleased to announce our support and participation at a major international conference that brings together thought-leaders to continue the dialogue about the geopolitical significance of the Eastern Mediterranean,” Larigakis said.  “We thank JISS and B’nai B’rith International for organizing the conference. It is yet another example of the ongoing cooperation between diaspora groups in support of the trilateral relationship between Greece, Cyprus and Israel.”

President Larigakis will speak on the topic, “The Role of the Greek Diaspora,” as a participant on the panel, “Extra-Regional Actors.”

The conference will also feature: academicians, policy analysts, and former government officials.

No. 70

WASHINGTON, DC —The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) hosted His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem and All Palestine to continue the important dialogue regarding the challenges and burdens facing the churches of the Holy Land.  The intimate discussion, held at Hellenic House, November 14, 2018, featured representatives of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the International Community of the Holy Sepulchre (ICoHS) and included AHI Board of Directors members and representatives from AHEPA and B’nai B’rith International. 

“We appreciated the opportunity to host His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos at Hellenic House,” AHI President Nick Larigakis said. “The patriarch and representatives of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem provided a thorough and candid update regarding the threats to the Christian presence in Jerusalem, from extremist groups.  We commend Patriarch Theophilos for his outreach and engagement with key audiences in Washington and New York City.”

In addition to AHI President Larigakis, AHI Board Member Demitrios Halakos, and his wife, Georgia; AHI Board Member James L. Marketos, Esq., AHI Foundation Board Member John Alahouzos, and AHI Legislative Directors Peter Milios and Elias Gerasoulis, attended.

His Beatitude’s delegation included Ambassador Patrick N. Theros, the Patriarch’s US Representative; Mr. Nader Moghrabi, Counsel to the Patriarchate; Mr. Austin Tiffany from ICoHS; Ms. Anna Koulouris, Patriarchate External Communications Director; Mr. Russell Rook, an advisor to the Patriarchate, as well as Mr. Austin Tiffany, Executive Manager of ICoHS.

No. 69

WASHINGTON, DC —The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) welcomed Republic of Cyprus Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides to AHI’s Hellenic House where he met with AHI representatives, November 7, 2018.

“We appreciated the opportunity to host Foreign Minister Christodoulides at Hellenic House,” AHI President Nick Larigakis said. “The foreign minister briefed us on his visit to Washington, which included a meeting with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.  We also thank Foreign Minister Christodoulides for his support of AHI’s work.”

Foreign Minister Christodoulides and Secretary Pompeo signed a Statement of Intent during their meeting. The agreement seeks to enhance bilateral cooperation in the areas of security, counterterrorism, and promoting regional stability.

Larigakis added, “We applaud the signing of the Statement of Intent. The agreement, coupled with the series of high-profile meetings during the foreign minister’s visit, indicates the United States is realizing Cyprus’ full potential as a partner and ally in the Eastern Mediterranean; which we have always known Cyprus has been.” 

The foreign minister’s visit to Washington also included meetings with National Security Advisor John Bolton at the White House and Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs Wess Mitchell at the State Department.  Christodoulides also conducted high level meetings in New York with U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley and UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy Jane Holl Lute.

The Ambassador of Cyprus to the United States, Marios Lyssiotis, accompanied Foreign Minister Christodoulides to Hellenic House. In addition to AHI President Larigakis, Board Member James L. Marketos, Esq., and Legislative Directors Peter Milios and Elias Gerasoulis, attended.