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.
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".
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.
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.
