Παγκόσμιο Συμβούλιο Κρητών Bringing Crete Closer
TITLE: For the love of Crete
INTRO:
During the normal working week, George Aerakis works for the European Parliament as head of the Parliament’s Greek language newspaper out of Luxembourg – for which work former European Parliament President Hans-Gert Pottering awarded Aerakis a gold medal of distinction last year. In his free time, Aerakis also works tirelessly in support of Crete, the island of his heritage. He serves as president of the World Council of Cretans, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of the rich cultural heritage of Crete and to the resolution of problems faced by the island.
After taking over as president of the World Council of Cretans in August 2008, Aerakis has been instrumental in communicating and rallying a number of Cretan organizations as well as opinion makers and politicians of Cretan descent around the world around a slew of Cretan issues – whether cultural preservation projects or better infrastructure projects for the Mediterranean island. George Aerakis spoke to Business File’s Vanessa Alexakis about his work with the World Council of Cretans (www.pask.edc.uoc.gr), his goals, including plans for a center for the study of the Cretan Diaspora, among other issues.
TEXT:
Q. Your involvement with the Diaspora community begins with the Luxembourg Cretan Association, which you formed with friends in 1993, and whose work was recognized when fifteen years later you were elected president of the World Council of Cretans. Can you tell us the role of the World Council and what it hopes to achieve?
A. I came to Luxembourg in 1982 and was one of the first Greeks here, a small group of professional Greeks that made up a small community. We decided to form the Association, which years later became part of the Pan-Cretan Federation of Europe. In 2008, I was appointed president of the World Council of Cretans. Our base is in Rethymnon, Crete, while the University of Crete helps us in administrative matters. We act as advisors, as coordinators of various Cretan organizations. We communicate with Cretan members of parliament, European members of parliament, as well as with mayors, prefects and others making them aware of issues and problems that need to be solved regarding Crete.
The World Council of Cretans is the supreme council of Cretans abroad, consisting of four federations: The Pan-Hellenic Federation of Cretan Unions (www.poks.gr), the Pan-Cretan Union of America (www.pancretan.org), the Pan-Cretan Federation of Europe (www.pankritiki.eu) and the Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand (www.cretanfederation.com.au) as well as hundreds of primary unions.
Q. What are the problems faced by Crete and what do you hope to achieve during your tenure as president?
A. Our main problems that need addressing are better roads, ports, airports, energy projects, and health, education, tourism, culture, agriculture as well as water management issues.
We are also creating, alongside the University of Crete, and we have signed an agreement towards this end, a centre for the study of the Cretan Diaspora, which will undertake to study where Cretans went when they left home, what they did, how many returned, and to ascertain the exact numbers of the Cretan Diaspora.
Q. How important a role does the Diaspora play in helping resolve some of the problems faced by Crete?
A. Not many people are aware of the big role the Diaspora has played and continues to play. Diaspora members from the US helped fund the Venizelion hospital in Crete and also gave grants for the creation of the University of Crete and other projects. Diaspora members are very active in helping the community. Through technology, the new communications tool, we in the Diaspora can come together more effectively. We try and use all new technologies, including social networking mediums, such as Facebook – where our page has about 4,500 members.
Q. Why do you think that most Diaspora Greeks are so successful when they go abroad?
A. Greeks spread their wings and do a great job when they go abroad. They tend to be well educated, the brains so to speak, and I am very impressed by them. They work hard and achieve many things. There are more and more high educated Greeks leaving Greece to find better pay and a brighter future.
Q. How big of a Diaspora community do you have in Luxembourg?
A. There are about 1,600 Greeks in Luxembourg. The majority work for the European Institutions in some capacity, such as myself, and there are also bank executives here. We are a vibrant community, with many activities, including theater, dances among others.
Q. In what way can the Greek state in your opinion enhance the work of the World Council of Cretans and other Diaspora associations?
A. The state is helpful but we need more help to make SAE, the World Council of Hellenes Abroad, which our association is a member of, more extroverts and more substantial. SAE’s president Stefanos P. Tamvakis is very capable, but more aid is needed from the Greek state to help SAE and the Diaspora cause. More and more Diaspora Greeks are involved in politics in their new countries, some in local government, some in national governments, and they realize the importance of forging close ties in the community. There is even an association that tries to inform and bring all these people together. It is called the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association (PADEE), today run by John Pantazopoulos an MP for the State of Victoria in Australia.
The Greek state should focus on enhancing ties with both the Diaspora and the people of these countries, through friendship and communication.
Q. Do you think that Diaspora Greeks should have their own representative(s) in the Greek parliament?
A. Yes. The PASOK government plans to introduce five representatives from the Diaspora who will be on the nationwide ballot, known as ‘epikrateias’ in Greek [a list of candidates put forth by political parties that do not require individual votes, but whose election is based on overall election results]. It’s important to clear up who will have the right to run for office. Will it be those that are registered in electoral lists as eligible to vote in Greek elections? I think that that should be the case.
Q. When is your next conference and will it have a specific theme?
A. Our next conference will be held at the end of July and this year will take place in the Lasithi prefecture in Crete, as we like to change the location each time in order to involve all communities. We haven’t decided on a theme yet, but are learning towards focusing on renewable energy as this is something Crete inherently suited for with its abundant sunshine and sea, and other resources.
BOX 1
George Aerakis was born in Anogeia, Crete. He lived in Anogeia until he was 12, then moved with his family initially to Herakleion and later to Athens.
He studied Modern European History in
France, and speaks Greek, French, English and Italian. When Greece became a member of the European Union in 1981, Mr. Aerakis succeeded in a competition which was organized by the European Parliament and in 1982 began working for the European Parliament in Luxembourg, where he still works today as head of the European Parliament’s Greek newspaper. Former European Parliament President Hans-Gert Pottering awarded George Aerakis a gold medal of distinction in 2009 for his work with the European Parliament. In 1993, Mr. Aerakis alongside other Cretaphiles created the Luxembourg Cretan Association through which they promoted Crete and Greece and rallied around Cretan causes. In August 2008, Mr. Aerakis was elected president of the World Council of Cretans. Mr Aerakis also serves on the board of directors of the International Association of Nikos Kazantzakis’ Friends, Luxembourg branch and is honorary president of the Luxembourg Cretan Association. He is also representing the World Council of Cretans at SAE. He is married to Rena Kouvidi, a translator at the European Commission. They have three children.
BOX 2
World council of Cretans Mission:
To preserve the cultural heritage, as well as the democratic traditions of the Cretan people, and to organize cultural events in order to preserve the customs of Crete.
To promote the rallying of Cretans around the world in defense of the interests of Crete and Greece in general.
To preserve the history and cultural tradition of Crete and to communicate this to the younger generations and to the communities where Cretans live and are active in.
To cooperate and coordinate towards the exchange of ideas, technology and science for the better resolution of common problems and the economic development of Crete, always respecting its cultural heritage.
To promote and defend the interests of Greece and Hellenism in every legal way.