PM in Oslo |  |
- PM in Oslo
- GDP Growth recorded
- Schengen Treaty under Spotlight
- Conferences & Symposia
- "Άρειος Ποτήρ" and "᾿Aστερίκιος" Strike Again
- Special Issue: Learn Greek in Greece
- Volunteering in Greece
| Posted: 16 May 2011 02:31 AM PDT  The Greek debt is manageable without restructuring, Prime Minister George Papandreou stressed in Oslo on May 13. Addressing a Progressive Governance Conference titled A post-crisis agenda for the centre-left: securing shared prosperity, Papandreou outlined a series of measures being implemented by the Greek government and the results of those steps - including a 5% decrease of the deficit and an increase in exports. He further referred to the positive signs, recorded, in the tourism sector, while regarding the manageability of the debt he cited a relevant appraisal by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).  While in Oslo the Premier met with his Norwegian counterpart, Jens Stoltenberg. Meanwhile, in an interview with the Italian daily Corriere della Sera, Papandreou reiterated that Greece will "never betray the euro".    |
| Posted: 16 May 2011 02:31 AM PDT  The Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) released on May 13 the Quarterly National Accounts for the first Quarter of 2011. According to it, the Greek GDP increased by 0.8% during the first quarter of 2011, compared with the previous quarter. In a statement issued on the same day, the Finance Ministry noted that the positive trend in GDP growth in the first quarter of 2011 comes after nearly nine consecutive quarters of negative rates of change. According to the ministry's own projections this development was expected to occur at the second quarter. Thus, the current estimates by ELSTAT are even more encouraging.  Meanwhile, the European Commission said on May 13, that the Greek economy will return to positive growth rates next year along with continuing fiscal consolidation. The EU's executive, in its spring economic forecasts, added however that the unemployment rate will continue rising to 15.3% in 2012 and the public debt will jump to 166.1% of GDP next year.   |
| Schengen Treaty under Spotlight Posted: 16 May 2011 02:31 AM PDT  Citizen Protection Minister Christos Papoutsis on May 12 stressed Athens' support for any proposal that strengthens the Schengen treaty but also its rejection of any "thoughts that would reverse the acquis communautaire." Speaking at an EU justice and home affairs ministers' council held in Brussels, Papoutsis urged his counterparts to look forward to deeper European integration and not "back to a pre-EU era". He called for measures that would boost the efforts of member-states to guard the EU external borders and promote better policing in order to deter illegal entry.  But he noted that proposals for mechanisms to suspend participation in specific sections and restore controls at internal borders would essentially change the entire structure of the Schengen acquis. Such a suspension mechanism might even be considered contrary to EU law, he warned.   |
| Posted: 16 May 2011 02:31 AM PDT
 The Foreign Ministries of Greece and Russia are jointly organising a conference on European Security, in Athens on May 17. The Conference titled The Politico-Military Dimension of European Security: Proposals and Perspectives, will be carried out in English and is open to the public. Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister for European Affairs Alexander Grushko will make the opening speeches. Speakers will include politicians, diplomats, military personnel and researchers, from Greece, Russia and other countries with extensive experience in European security issues.
 The 15th Roundtable with the Government of Greece, titled In the aftermath of the global economic crisis: and now what? is taking place in Athens on May 17-19. Prime Minister George Papandreou is going to be guest of honour and keynote speaker at the conference. A host Greek and foreign officials and professionals will also address the event.   |
| "Άρειος Ποτήρ" and "᾿Aστερίκιος" Strike Again Posted: 16 May 2011 04:53 AM PDT  Proving that ancient Greek is not dead, Classics teacher Andrew Wilson from Bedford, UK translated into it Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, the first in a series of seven books by J.K. Rowling that created a new type of fairytale adventures suited for young and adult readers alike. This was by no means an easy task, due to the work's volume and particular linguistic difficulties, such as the translation of novel vocabulary, e.g quidditch - the game played at Harry' s School of Wizardry- which was finally translated into ἱκαροσφαιρική.  On the other hand, ᾿Aστερίκιος or Asterix has already seen 3 of his adventures translated into ancient Greek by classics professor Fanis Kakridis, who notes on the preface of the first translation : "Aeschylus' and Aristotle's venerable tongue is applied in everyday usage... resembling the language used by Aristophanes' comedies. Or would you happen to believe that the ancient (Greek) did nothing else from morning to night than investigate the foundations of politics and philosophy?" So don't hesitate - you either found the perfect way to brush up your ancient Greek along with a good dictionary, or for an original gift. And beware, both series have specialised publications in Latin to keep you busy when you are done with the ancient Greek Editions.   |
| Special Issue: Learn Greek in Greece Posted: 16 May 2011 04:05 AM PDT  The Greek language, whether ancient, biblical or modern, can be ideally studied in a Greek- speaking environment. Language courses are offered at Greek universities, private schools, through online programmes and at summer schools throughout Greece. Learning Greek in Greece may offer someone an invaluable insight into modern everyday life in the country and its culture as well as an opportunity to spend a few enjoyable weeks away on a dreamy island.
 The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki offers year round courses of Greek as a foreign language. The School offers courses in Greek language and culture to foreign students and also to students of Greek origin, who intend to study in Greek Higher Education Institutions, or wish, through the Greek language, to familiarize with Greece and its culture (ancient, byzantine and modern). School of Modern Greek Language: 2011 Language Courses Programme; Have a look at the School's 2011 Taste Diary
 Through its AEOLIS project, the Hellenic Culture Centre offers Greek language courses to foreigners. While classes are held in Athens, the institute organises summer language courses on the island of Lesvos. Lessons at the summer school start on June 13.  Apart from language courses at all levels of instruction, the Aeolis programme offers special courses on legal or financial terminology, as well as seminars on translation and interpretation. Participants can also take courses in Greek and Turkish in tandem. Classes are supplemented by an extensive programme of cultural activities.
The Athens Centre language programme consists of Greek language courses held in Athens and a three-week summer session on the island of Spetses, which apart from the typical language courses, includes extra cultural activities such as art and poetry workshops.
 Greek Language courses can be a fruitful experience for foreigners on the island of Ikaria. The Ikarian Centre runs a summer Greek Language School combining learning with entertainment. Courses are also offered in Athens.
The "Alexander the Great" Hellenic Language School offers courses to foreigners with either business or scientific orientation.  The school has branches in Thessaloniki and Chania in Greece, in Sophia and Plovdiv, Bulgaria, in Skopjie, F.Y.R.O.M, and Tirana, Albania. The School is active all year long and this year's summer school in Greece begins on June 6. It also collaborates with other organizations across Europe and offers international programmes, now available on-line.
 The College Year in Athens a study-abroad programme focused on Greek history and civilization, offer foreign students university-level courses on Greece and the eastern Mediterranean world.  In addition to classes taking place in Athens, an annual project is held on the island of Paros. The International Centre for Hellenic and Mediterranean Studies offers semester and summer courses. This year, the summer school will run from May to July.
The Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA is organising a summer programme on Crete for those students who wish to spend four weeks on the island, studying the culture of Crete. Drexel University: Study Abroad- Greece-Crete  The Greek House in Athens The Greek House in Athens is a centre for language and culture lessons, offered throughout the year. The school's aim is to provide students with a grasp on language, while exploring Greek culture through dance, cuisine, mythology and history, as well as lectures and art exhibitions. New language courses begin on May 2.
 Seasonal language courses are also offered by the Institute of Balkan Studies (IMXA), again in Thessaloniki. The programme runs annually and in 2009, 89 students from 29 different countries participated. This year, classes and cultural activities will run from July 31 to August 28. In its 39th edition the International Summer School for Greek Language, History and Culture offers language courses, lectures in Greek history and culture, visits to archaeological sites as well as dancing classes and other recreational activities.
 The University of Ioannina in collaboration with the "Border Crossings" network of academics and the Municipality of Konitsa organises the 6th Summer School in Anthropology, Ethnography and Comparative Folklore of the Balkans in the town of Konitsa from July 27 to August 11. Established eleven years ago, Konitsa Summer School invites senior-year undergraduates and postgraduate students from all over the world to take part in the programme. Participants will have the opportunity to attend seminars in anthropology, culture, and literature and participate in local festivals. The deadline for applications is May 15.  |
| Posted: 16 May 2011 04:06 AM PDT
 The Hellenic Foundation for Youth and Volunteering offers several programmes for volunteers. On the island of Kefalonia, it runs a programme which looks for sea-minded volunteers to help finish the Odyssean World Museum in Argostoli. On the island of Ithaca, the Odysseus Treasure Hunt takes place with participants have to re-discover long forgotten places, routes and villages that could be part of Homer's Ithaca.
 The new summer programmes organised in Greece between June and October 2011 by the Non Governmental Organisation ELIX are now available online. For 25 years ELIX has been organising international voluntary work camps of short, medium and long duration in Greece and abroad, aiming at protecting the environment, preserving cultural heritage and promoting cooperation between young people. 2011 is the European Year of Voluntarism. From April 11 to 18, Greece will "fly the flag" during the Flag Alliance Tour with celebrations lasting from June 6 to 16.
 On the island of Zakynthos- home of Caretta-Caretta sea turtle, Earth, Sea & Sky organises several volunteering activities in the Gerakas area over the summer months. Being in process of building a turtle hospital and a rehabilitation centre, the Earth, Sea & Sky team has itshands full. Any help would be welcomed: Apply for the programme See also: ARCHELON-The Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece: Become a Volunteer; Greek News Agenda: Volunteer in Greece!
 Volunteers for Peace, an international voluntary service since 1982, offers many projects in Greece, every year. Projects are focus on community improvement and restoration— like harvesting, cleaning footpaths for tourists, aiding in preparation for festivals and protecting and cleaning beaches. Volunteer in Greece: Volunteer Opportunities in Greece & World Volunteer Web-Greece   |
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