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Greek Australians honoured at the Global Vision Summit

This year's awards presented at the international Global Vision Summit conference in Athens carried a strong Greek Australian flavour.

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Source: Supplied

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By SBS Radio Greek

Source: SBS


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According to its official website, Global Vision Summit was established with a clear purpose to create a platform where visionary individuals and institutions can come together to address contemporary challenges, share knowledge, foster innovation, and contribute to global progress.

The organisation states that the most pressing challenges of our time require collaboration that transcends geographical boundaries, professional disciplines and cultural differences.

The Global Vision Summit describes itself as an international movement dedicated to strengthening cooperation, promoting leadership and building bridges between communities, sectors and nations.

The conference was held on 2 July at the headquarters of the Society of Greek Writers (Εταιρεία Ελλήνων Λογοτεχνών) in central Athens, under the auspices of the Region of Attica (Περιφέρεια Αττικής), the World Federation of Travel Journalists and Writers (Fédération Internationale des Journalistes et Ecrivains du Tourisme- FIJET), the Club for UNESCO Art, Literature and Science of Greece and other organisations.

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Ο κ. Θ. Δάλμαρης παραλαμβάνοντας την διάκρισή του. Source: Supplied

As part of the conference, author Theodoros Dalmaris, well known within the Greek Australian community and husband of Greek Australian Despina Rizoglou-Dalmaris, was named Founding Patron for Greece of the Global Vision Summit.

The honour recognised his "outstanding contribution to humanity, culture, education, international understanding and the promotion of shared human values".

A further award was presented to Dr Vasilis Adrahtas, Head of the Greek Studies Program at the University of New South Wales, in recognition of his contribution to promoting the Greek language and culture. In a social media post, Dr Adrahtas said it was "a true honour to receive this award".

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Dr Vassilis Adrahtas Source: Supplied

A similar distinction was awarded to Efthymios (Themi) Kallos, Executive Producer of SBS Greek, in recognition of his contribution to promoting the Greek language and culture, advancing social cohesion and intercultural dialogue through journalism, and supporting initiatives that strengthen community connections.

The awards for Dr Adrahtas and Mr Kallos were handed by Australia's Ambassador to Greece, Alison Duncan, a gesture both recipients warmly acknowledged.

In a Facebook post, Mr Kallos expressed his sincere appreciation to the Global Vision Summit and everyone involved in the organisation, congratulating them on their valuable work and the important mission they pursue.

He also extended special thanks to "my dear friends Despena and Theodoros Dalmaris, who kindly nominated me for this distinction".

"I accept this honour with deep gratitude and humility. I regard it not only as recognition of my own work, but also as a tribute to the Greek Australian community, which I have had the privilege of serving through journalism for more than 36 years, most of them with SBS Greek," Mr Kallos said.

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Executive Producer of SBS Gree, Efthymios (Themi) Kallos Source: SBS

He added that he was particularly pleased to see that the Global Vision Summit's objectives include strengthening international cooperation, promoting intercultural dialogue and supporting education.

"These are values that align perfectly with the mission of SBS, which is to provide multilingual and multicultural news, information, education and entertainment services to all Australians, reflecting the richness and diversity of Australia's multicultural society," he said.

Mr Kallos also noted that it was a particular honour to receive the award through Australia's Ambassador to Greece, Alison Duncan, whom he described as "an outstanding diplomat" and whom he had the pleasure of meeting during her visit to SBS's studios in Sydney.

Besides the above three person mentioned, Award was also given Dr Nicolaos Markatos, the former Rector of the National Technical University of Athens.

Also Greek-Australian Mr Dimitri Symeonidis received the Certificate of Honour for his work in journalism and his leadership in this field.

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Ο Δημήτρης Συμεωνίδης παραλαμβάνει την διάκρισή του από την Δέσποινα Δάλμαρη. Source: Supplied

The GLOBAL VISION SUMMIT III 2026 was a three-day event, between 2-4 July.

This year’s theme focused on “Earth, the Cradle of Existence” as our common home.

On Thursday 2nd July it was held at the historical venue of the Hellenic Authors’ Society (EEL), Michail Averoff Hall. On Friday 3rd July at the impressive venue of the “Melina Mercuri” Cultural Centre at Thiseio, and on Saturday 4th July, the final day of the Summit, at the Cultural Centre of the Municipality of Athens “Antonis Tritsis’ Hall.

This annual event is implemented under the auspices of the international organization Writers Capital International Foundation, in co-organization and collaboration with the Academy Language, Translation & IT Centres Educational Group, the academic body G.A.T.E. as well as the publishing house and international online magazine Writers’ International Edition.

A personal note of thanks was sent by Dr Preeth Padmanabhan Nambiar, Founder and President of Writers Capital International Foundation and of the Global Vision Summit, to the Gen. Secretary of the Organisation and the heart behind the Global Vision Summit Athens, Dr Irene Doura Kavadia as well as to the “organizing committee, delegates, speakers, award recipients, partners, volunteers and well-wishers from around the world”. The Writers Capital International Foundation is represented in over 90 countries.

The Global Vision Summit India Edition with be hosted from the Global Headquarters in Mysore, India in November 2026. These two cultural events bring together two historical nations – Greece and India and through them, the whole world.


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