Online Repatriation program for the greeks of Diaspora

Greece’s current low birth rates and subsequent declining population has highlighted, now more than ever, the noteworthy need to change the state of things into positive and focused energy capable of moving the country forward by endeavoring not to be indifferent to the fate of Greece and instead encourage its people to ‘hold the vision, trust the process’ whilst feeling unconditional love and an authentic sense of duty for the homeland from which they originated and grew.

The growing decline of Greece’s population, due to low birth rates and emigration, have resulted in the alarming decline in its population. In fact, and unless birth rates are reversed, Greece’s population is set to drop to 7 million in the next three decades in comparison to Turkey’s population that will stand at 150 million. These estimates create a feeling of impending doom, particularly when reflecting upon Greece’s declining demographics and its implications.

For instance, one can foresee many unwanted roadblocks such as the negative impact upon active workforce, a lag in education, a burden on the insurance network and a threat to the viability of the pension scheme. Additionally, the Greek Diaspora, Hellenic diaspora or ‘Omogenia’ important investors might abandon Greece all together out of sheer despondency. Where might this leave the Greek economy?

It is, therefore, absolutely necessary not to ignore all the issues that Greece will inevitably face if they are not promptly addressed and resolved. Hence, we urgently invite you all to build bridges by having open and informative conversations between Greece and the Greek diaspora in order to generate efficient and effective strategies to preserve the Greek identity, national conscience and more specifically, to maintain the language, history, religion, culture, traditions and descendance.

Despite major technological advances, Greece still remains dispersed and no tangible efforts are being made to capture the complexity of this situation and shape patterns of interaction between the homeland and the Greek diaspora to keep alive, in every sense of the word, Greece’s ‘developmental trajectory’.

Since the beginning of independent Greece in the 19th century, the vital efforts of diaspora philanthropic giving and economic stakeholders created opportunities in public goods such as health, culture and education. Indeed, that diaspora elites' active involvement was paramount to Greece's development. Upon reflection, it is hard to imagine that, without their active investments, the creation and endowment of the 'Metsovio' Polytechnic University, the Greek Academy, the Benaki Museum, the Megaro Mousikis, the Onassio, the Papageorgiou Hospital, the National Library, and even the 1896 Olympic Games would not have actual used.

Unfortunately, the current situational context is that there are seldom any diaspora investors and key players to re-connect the Greeks' of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th generations and expand relations with them in order to nurture their willingness and ability to be active in the transformation of of the new homeland, of the new Greece.

Through the Online Repatriation programme, together with the active and willing support of investors, entrepreneurs and other key players. As well as with digital and interactive platforms, Greeks abroad and their interaction with their homeland can be made possible, which in turn, will allow the Greek identity, voice and spirit to resonate even louder across the world, and make the already great Greece even greater.

In conclusion, the historical engagement of investors with Greece has always been rewarded with positive and generous incentives, and moving forward, this is something that we want to continue to honor.

Helen K. Hovris

Professor of Sociology

Founder and Ambassador of Great Greece for Ever