AHEPA E-News Volume 17, Issue 8 | Wednesday, February 22, 2023

AHEPA's Growth in Europe Continues

AHEPA Supreme Secretary Savas Tsivikos had the honor of joining the brothers of Phanos Pitiris Chapter CY-6 in Paphos, Cyprus, as they initiated 26 candidates into the Order. The new initiates included local businessmen and elected Paphos city officials. After the ceremony, they celebrated their newfound brotherhood by enjoying a meal together. Chapter CY-6 in Paphos is named for the late Phanos Pitiris, who served AHEPA as a Supreme Governor for Region 10 and as Cyprus District 27 Governor. Brother Phanos passed away in early 2022. He was an upstanding Ahepan who lived up to the Order's ideals on a daily basis. An initiation this large is proof that as long as we continue to foster the ideals of service and brotherhood that Brother Phanos upheld, our Order will continue to grow. A heartfelt congratulations and welcome to our new brothers!

AHEPA Family Call to Action

As the death toll continues to rise in Türkiye and Syria, AHEPA is looking to our chapters to support the endeavor of our brothers in AHEPA Chapter No. 601 in Constantinople. Since 1922, the Order of AHEPA has been a generous, philanthropic organization who digs down deep to help people in need. Today is such a day. The Supreme President, Jimmy Kokotas, has asked the entire Ahepa family to collect funds and send them to our chapter in Constantinople as we have since we were first made aware of this tragic event. The magnitude and scope of this natural disaster has not been properly conveyed to our chapters and our members. For those of you who wish to make personal donations, please feel free to do so through the AHEPA website by clicking on the charitable foundation link on the donation page. The funds collected during the months of February and March will go to efforts to assist people in need of food, water, blankets, and other necessities. Chapter 601 has visited the effected area, and the region is devastated. As a philanthropic organization, it is our duty to assist if we can. Donate online at ahepa.org/donate or send a check to AHEPA headquarters. God bless the first responders from all over the world who are on site helping save peoples lives.

AHEPA 2023 Supreme Convention - Save the Date!

Book Your Hotel Room Now!

While It Lasts! Get Your AHEPA Centennial Merch

Get it while it lasts! AHEPA centennial commemorative merchandise is available that includes a commemorative coin and stand and decanter set. Years of service and chapter officer pins, award plaques, and AHEPA t-shirts, watches, patches, and more!  Check it all out in the AHEPA Marketplace catalog.

Upcoming Events & Deadlines

February 24 | Greeks in Miami March 31 | AEF Scholarship Application Deadline

Greek American News Digest  Editor's Note: Editorials, commentaries, opinion pieces, and articles are shared for information purposes only and do not necessarily reflect the views or policy positions of the Order of AHEPA, its affiliated organizations, and members Blinken from Athens Welcomes ‘Time Out’ on Greece-Turkey Tension The National Herald (Feb. 21) U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday urged NATO allies Greece and Turkey to calm rhetoric as both countries head to national elections, in an effort to bolster unity in the trans-Atlantic alliance as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine nears its anniversary. read more Ginnis’ skiing silver is Greece’s 1st big winter sport medal AP (Feb. 19) AJ Ginnis’ long journey to skiing glory began on the relatively obscure slopes of Mount Parnassus north of Athens, took him briefly to the Austrian Alps as a teenager, then over to Vermont and eventually a spot on the U.S. ski team. read more 2023 NBA All-Star Game Highlights: Team Giannis Defeats Team Lebron Fox Sports (Feb. 19) The 2023 NBA All-Star Game tipped off at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Sunday, putting the best basketball had to offer on full display for a night full of thrilling plays. And the best of the best was one Jayson Tatum, who poured it on to the tune of an ASG-record 55 points on 10 made 3s. read more Women of Zalongo, an Original Play by Maria Cominis, Premieres March 3 in CA The National Herald (Feb. 17) Women of Zalongo, an original play by Maria Cominis about the ongoing struggle of women for autonomy, supported by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), will premiere regionally on March 3-12 in Fullerton, CA and on March 19 in Santa Monica, CA. The play is inspired by the playwright’s Greek grandmother and her childhood memories prior to her immigration to the U.S. in 1915. Family secrets and intergenerational dynamics are woven into the lives of four generations of women whose family line reaches back to the heroic women of Zalongo. read more Now Available!

Minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee

 

Minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee, January 31–February 1, 2023 https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/monetary20230222a.htm Released by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System   Visit us on the web at Federal Reserve Board.

IMF interesting latest

 

Dear maria, We just published a new blog—please find the full text below.  Technology Behind Crypto Can Also Improve Payments, Providing a Public Good (Credit: Xijian/iStock by Getty Images) By Tobias Adrian, Tommaso Mancini-Griffoli Crypto assets have been more of a disappointment than a revolution for many users, and global bodies like the IMF and the Financial Stability Board urge tighter regulation. Some of the rapidly evolving technology behind crypto, however, may ultimately hold greater promise. The private sector keeps innovating and customizing financial services. But the public sector too should leverage technology to upgrade its payment infrastructure and ensure interoperability, safety, and efficiency in digital finance, as we noted in a recent working paper: A Multi-Currency Exchange and Contracting Platform. Others too are advancing similar views. Technology has jumped ahead New payment technologies include tokenization, encryption, and programmability: Tokenization means representing property rights to an asset, such as money, on an electronic ledger—a database held by all market participants, optimized to be widely accessible, synchronized, easily updatable, and tamper-proof. Anonymity of token balances and transactions is not required (and in fact undermines financial integrity). Encryption helps decouple compliance checks from transactions so only authorized parties access sensitive information. This facilitates transparency while promoting trust. Programmability allows financial contracts to be more easily written and automatically executed, such as with “smart contracts,” without relying on a trusted third party.

 

23/02/2023 08:00 | Press release The path to a bio-based European economy On 27–28 February, the Living in the Bioeconomy conference will be held under the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU. Some twenty speakers will gather to discuss the measures needed for a sustainable bio-based society with resource-efficient value chains.

Press release

23 February 20238:00

The path to a bio-based European economy



On 27–28 February, the Living in the Bioeconomy conference will be held under the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU. Some twenty speakers will gather to discuss the measures needed for a sustainable bio-based society with resource-efficient value chains.


“The transition to a bio-based economy is important for rural development, the climate, employment and growth. The need for renewable resources is immense. I therefore see great value in meeting to exchange experiences and discuss the next steps for a renewable Europe,” says Sweden’s Minister for Rural Affairs Peter Kullgren, who will open the conference.

The conference will take place in Stockholm, and participants will include officials from EU Member States and institutions as well as academia, the business sector, innovation actors and interest groups.

In June 2022, the European Commission presented a progress report on the adoption of the EU Bioeconomy Strategy. The policy measures needed for a sustainable bio-based society with resource-effective value chains will be a topic for further discussion at the conference.

You can follow the conference live on the Swedish Presidency website: Living in the Bioeconomy conference (europa.eu); no registration is required.

Link to a progress report on the adoption of the EU Bioeconomy Strategy: Adoption of the bioeconomy strategy progress report (europa.eu)

Facts about the bioeconomy

The bioeconomy refers to the part of the overall economy that concerns the management, production, refinement and use of products and services based on renewable biological materials from earth, forests and water, including associated residual flows.

Source: Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning (Formas).


Sabina Jansson Bernhardsson

Press Secretary to Minister for Rural Affairs Peter Kullgrensabina.jansson.bernhardsson@gov.se
+46 73 029 10 12

Think Tank Review- February 2023

 

Library blog Thursday 23 February 2023

● General Secretariat of the Council   Think Tank Review- February 2023   The evolution of the neutrality principle of several European states following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the added value of the participation notably of European citizens in the Conference of the Future of Europe, the 30th anniversary of the European single market, the state of economic convergence in the euro area, the digitalisation as an enabler for the clean energy transition, the multipolarity in the 21st century, how to rebuild Europe’s security architecture, and the multiple challenges of global trade in 2023 are some of the topics dealt with in the February Think Tank Review.

Think Tank Review- February 2023

• 23 February 2023
 
• Think Tank Review
 
• gsclibrary

 

EU politics and institutions

Reports point to the neutrality principle that several European states have renounced following the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022 asking if it is outdated and if the strategic positions of neutral countries are today in rapid evolution pushing them to choose sides and close ranks. Commenting on the Conference of the Future of Europe, papers note that the Conference offered an added value to the existing deliberative process by enabling the expression of an endless variety of personal opinions and views on key aspects of European democratic governance by academics and members from organized civil society. The extraterritoriality concept is analysed in depth and especially how the EU by using law, compliance and strategic intelligence can respond to challenges posed by superpowers. In that context, the general data protection regulation is an example of tangible EU action to protect its citizens and its industries. Reports also examine what the future of the EU's economic, social and territorial cohesion will look like in view of the green and digital transition which is fundamentally changing Europe's economy.

Notre Europe - Jacques Delors
La neutralité, une idée périmée en Europe? 

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
European democracy support annual review 2022

Ελληνικό Iδρυμα Ευρωπαϊκής και Εξωτερικής Πολιτικής (Hellenic Foundation for European Foreign Policy) / Hanns Seidel Foundation
The Conference on the Future of Europe: a kaleidoscope of democracy

ΙΔΡΥΜΑ ΕΥΓΕΝΙΔΟΥ: Νέο επεισόδιο Space Series

 

Νέο επεισόδιο Space Series  Γαλαξιακές Συγκρούσεις  Όλα τα δεδομένα που έχουμε συλλέξει έως τώρα καταδεικνύουν ότι οι συγχωνεύσεις των γαλαξιών παίζουν καθοριστικό ρόλο στην εξέλιξή τους. Εάν, όμως, το Σύμπαν όντως διαστέλλεται και οι γαλαξίες απομακρύνονται ο ένας από τον άλλον, καθώς ο μεταξύ τους χώρος «ξεχειλώνει», γιατί πολλοί απ’ αυτούς συγκρούονται μεταξύ τους; Πώς επηρεάζονται στην διάρκεια αυτών των συγκρούσεων τα νέφη αερίων και σκόνης, τα άστρα και οι γιγάντιες μαύρες τρύπες που εμπεριέχει ο κάθε γαλαξίας; Σε αυτό το επεισόδιο της σειράς Space Series θα βρείτε τις απαντήσεις. Δείτε το νέο επεισόδιο εδώ Τα Space Series είναι μία σειρά σύντομων βίντεο που έχουν ως σκοπό να διαφωτίσουν το κοινό με όσο πιο απλό και σύντομο τρόπο για θέματα αστρονομίας, αστροφυσικής, διαστημικής εξερεύνησης και τεχνολογίας, τα οποία έρχονται κάθε τόσο στην επικαιρότητα και πολλές φορές δεν είναι γνωστά ή κατανοητά. Περισσότερα για τα Space Series Και μην ξεχνάτε τις παραστάσεις του Νέου Ψηφιακού Πλανηταρίου, όπου θα βρείτε τις απαντήσεις σε πολλά ερωτήματα για τους πλανήτες, τους γαλαξίες και το Σύμπαν. Δείτε το πρόγραμμα εδώ.

ΙΔΡΥΜΑ ΕΥΓΕΝΙΔΟΥ Λεωφ. Συγγρού 387 17564, Π. Φάληρο Τηλ: (+30) 210 9469600

OBAMA's latest

Hi there, Earlier this week, President Obama announced a new class of 105 Obama Foundation Leaders. These changemakers will join three 35-member regional cohorts representing Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Europe as part of our Obama Foundation Leaders program.  The 2023 class of Obama Leaders represent 75 nations and territories and are working on a wide range of issues, from addressing the climate crisis to advocating for refugee and disability rights.  I’m excited to introduce you to three of our Leaders today, and I hope you’ll check out all of our Leaders’ unique and compelling stories at obama.org/leaders and on Twitter and Instagram. Thokozile Nhlumayo, South Africa   Thokozile “Thoko” Nhlumayo is working to get young people involved in government across Africa. She founded the #NotTooYoungToLead Movement, which focuses on increasing the number of young people African governments have in office. She also serves as the Secretary General of the International Youth Parliament.   Thoko launched the LGBTQ+ Political Leaders Program in South Africa and Namibia, which seeks to achieve full equality for LGBTQ+ people by building, supporting, and advancing a diverse network of LGBTQ+ public leaders.  Thokozile’s own experience of being denied opportunities to hold public office due to her age and gender sparked her passion for advocating for the inclusion of young people in leadership roles. Kim Lim, Malaysia   Kim Lim is a co-founder and CEO of PichaEats, a humanitarian venture on a mission to serve great meals while helping Malaysian refugees rebuild their lives.  The organization identifies families who can cook, trains them to become professional chefs, assists with branding and marketing efforts, and coordinates the logistics so that the food can reach catering clients. Since its inception in 2016, PichaEats has collaborated with 35 chefs, catered 350,000 meals, and spurred 2.5 million Malaysian ringgit in profits for refugee families.  Kim is passionate about how social entrepreneurship can become a tool to alleviate poverty, provide access to quality education, and restore dignity.  Mihai Toader-Pasti, Romania   Mihai Toader-Pasti is working to create sustainable micro-communities across Romania through the organization he co-founded, IntreVecini. He also co-founded Romania's most-awarded sustainability non-profit, EFdeN, which connects students and young professionals with sustainability efforts.  Under his leadership, the EFdeN team designed and built two of the world's most sustainable homes and Europe's highest scoring certified green-building project. Mihai believes that sustainable dwellings are simply one component of a successful sustainability movement, and he also incorporates community engagement, nature, energy, culture, and the arts into his work. Throughout the Leaders program, Thokozile, Kim, Mihai, and their fellow Leaders will learn from and connect with each other and receive leadership training to help them make an even bigger impact. They will also gather with President Obama in Athens, Greece, to conclude their six-month leadership development journey, build cross-cohort connections, and graduate into the Obama Foundation Leadership Network, our community of global program alumni. To read more of our Leaders’ stories, visit obama.org/leaders and check out our Twitter and Instagram.  –Laura Laura Lucas Magnuson  Executive Vice President, Global Programs        Donate to empower rising leaders bringing hope to their communities. DONATE

Statement by the Members of the European Council

 

Thursday 23 February 2023

● European Council   23/02/2023 19:31 | Statements and remarks | Statement by the Members of the European Council   One year ago, Putin’s Russia started its brutal war of aggression against Ukraine. The Ukrainian people have shown incredible strength in defending their homeland and the core principles of international law against the Russian aggression. They have shown resolve in defending democracy and freedom, resilience in the face of hardship and dignity when confronted with Russia’s crimes. The Ukrainian people have shown the world that the future of Ukraine is for the Ukrainians to decide. No country has the right to invade its neighbour or violate its sovereignty and territorial integrity. This aggression is a crime against peace. It violates the UN Charter, the UN principles and the values of mankind. We cannot and should not remain passive in front of such crimes. Russia has systematically targeted civilians, destroyed cities and attacked Ukrainian identity. We are determined to ensure that all those who are responsible for war crimes and other most serious crimes committed in connection with Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine are held to account. Russia has weaponised food and energy, made deeply irresponsible nuclear threats and spread false narratives about the war. Russia’s war of aggression and its consequences have significantly affected many countries notably through its impact on the global economy, food and commodity prices. The European Union will continue to work with partners to mitigate these effects and to provide assistance to the countries and people most in need. The European Union and its partners have acted swiftly and in unity. And we will continue to stand firmly and in full solidarity with Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes. All Ukrainians deserve to live in peace and choose freely their own destiny. Ukraine is part of our European family. Ukrainians have expressed their wish for a future within the European Union and we have acknowledged that by granting Ukraine the status of candidate country. The choice of the people of Ukraine is one of peace, democracy, rule of law, respect for fundamental rights and prosperity. The European Union will continue to support Ukraine in political, economic, humanitarian, financial and military terms, including through swift coordinated procurement from European industry. We will also support Ukraine’s reconstruction, for which we will strive to use frozen and immobilised Russian assets in accordance with EU and international law. We will further increase collective pressure on Russia to end its war of aggression. To this end we will adopt a tenth sanctions package and we will take steps against those who attempt to circumvent EU measures. We support President Zelenskyy’s peace formula. Together with our international partners, we will make sure that Ukraine prevails, that international law is respected, that peace and Ukraine’s territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders are restored, that Ukraine is rebuilt, and that justice is done. Until that day, we will not rest.   23/02/2023 19:31 | Δηλώσεις και παρατηρήσεις | Δήλωση των μελών του Ευρωπαϊκού Συμβουλίου   Πριν από έναν χρόνο, η Ρωσία του Πούτιν ξεκίνησε τον βάναυσο επιθετικό της πόλεμο κατά της Ουκρανίας. Ο ουκρανικός λαός έχει επιδείξει απίστευτο σθένος υπερασπιζόμενος την πατρίδα του και τις βασικές αρχές του διεθνούς δικαίου ενάντια στη ρωσική επίθεση. Επέδειξε αποφασιστικότητα στην προάσπιση της δημοκρατίας και της ελευθερίας, ανθεκτικότητα στις κακουχίες και αξιοπρέπεια όταν ήρθε αντιμέτωπος με τα εγκλήματα της Ρωσίας. Ο ουκρανικός λαός έδειξε στον κόσμο ότι το μέλλον της Ουκρανίας θα το αποφασίσουν οι ίδιοι οι Ουκρανοί και οι Ουκρανές. Καμιά χώρα δεν έχει το δικαίωμα να εισβάλλει σε γειτονικά κράτη ή να παραβιάζει την κυριαρχία και την εδαφική τους ακεραιότητα. Αυτή η επίθεση αποτελεί έγκλημα κατά της ειρήνης. Παραβιάζει τον Χάρτη των Ηνωμένων Εθνών, τις αρχές του ΟΗΕ και τις πανανθρώπινες αξίες. Δεν μπορούμε και δεν πρέπει να μείνουμε απαθείς μπροστά σε τέτοια εγκλήματα. Η Ρωσία συστηματικά στοχεύει αμάχους, καταστρέφει πόλεις και επιτίθεται στην ουκρανική ταυτότητα. Είμαστε αποφασισμένοι να διασφαλίσουμε ότι θα λογοδοτήσουν όλοι όσοι ευθύνονται για τα εγκλήματα πολέμου και τα άλλα σοβαρότατα εγκλήματα που συνδέονται με τον επιθετικό πόλεμο της Ρωσίας κατά της Ουκρανίας. Η Ρωσία χρησιμοποιεί ως όπλα τα τρόφιμα και την ενέργεια, έχει εκτοξεύσει άκρως ανεύθυνες πυρηνικές απειλές και διαδίδει ψευδή αφηγήματα σχετικά με τον πόλεμο. Ο επιθετικός πόλεμος της Ρωσίας και οι συνέπειές του έχουν επηρεάσει σημαντικά πολλές χώρες, ιδίως λόγω του αντίκτυπου στην παγκόσμια οικονομία, στις τιμές των τροφίμων και των βασικών προϊόντων. Η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση θα συνεχίσει να συνεργάζεται με τους εταίρους της για να μετριάσει αυτές τις επιπτώσεις και να προσφέρει βοήθεια στις χώρες και τους λαούς που έχουν τη μεγαλύτερη ανάγκη. Η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση και οι εταίροι της ενήργησαν με ταχύτητα και ενότητα. Και θα παραμείνουμε ακλόνητοι και πλήρως αλληλέγγυοι στο πλευρό της Ουκρανίας και του λαού της για όσο χρειαστεί. Ο λαός της Ουκρανίας δικαιούται να ζει με ειρήνη και να επιλέγει ελεύθερα το πεπρωμένο του. Η Ουκρανία είναι μέρος της ευρωπαϊκής μας οικογένειας. Οι Ουκρανοί και οι Ουκρανές έχουν εκφράσει την επιθυμία το μέλλον τους να είναι εντός της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης κι εμείς αναγνωρίσαμε αυτή την επιθυμία χορηγώντας καθεστώς υποψήφιας χώρας στην Ουκρανία. Ο ουκρανικός λαός έχει κάνει την επιλογή του: για ειρήνη, δημοκρατία, κράτος δικαίου, σεβασμό των θεμελιωδών δικαιωμάτων και ευημερία. Η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση θα συνεχίσει να στηρίζει την Ουκρανία από πολιτική, οικονομική, ανθρωπιστική, χρηματοδοτική και στρατιωτική άποψη, μεταξύ άλλων μέσω του άμεσου συντονισμού των προμηθειών από την ευρωπαϊκή βιομηχανία. Θα στηρίξουμε επίσης την ανασυγκρότηση της Ουκρανίας, για την οποία θα επιδιώξουμε να χρησιμοποιήσουμε δεσμευμένα και ακινητοποιημένα ρωσικά περιουσιακά στοιχεία σύμφωνα με το ενωσιακό και το διεθνές δίκαιο. Θα αυξήσουμε περαιτέρω τη συλλογική πίεση προς τη Ρωσία ώστε να σταματήσει τον επιθετικό της πόλεμο. Για τον σκοπό αυτό θα εγκρίνουμε δέκατη δέσμη κυρώσεων και θα λάβουμε μέτρα κατά όσων επιχειρούν να καταστρατηγήσουν τα μέτρα της ΕΕ. Υποστηρίζουμε την ειρηνευτική φόρμουλα του προέδρου Ζελένσκι. Μαζί με τους διεθνείς εταίρους μας, θα διασφαλίσουμε την κατίσχυση της Ουκρανίας, τον σεβασμό του διεθνούς δικαίου, την αποκατάσταση της ειρήνης και της εδαφικής ακεραιότητας της Ουκρανίας εντός των διεθνώς αναγνωρισμένων συνόρων της, την ανοικοδόμηση της Ουκρανίας και την απονομή δικαιοσύνης. Δεν θα επαναπαυθούμε μέχρι να έρθει εκείνη η ημέρα.