Future of Hellenism in America Conference at the Beverly Hilton Hotel

This Saturday, Nov 20, the American Hellenic Institute will organize its 9 th Annual Conference titled “The Future of Hellenism in America” at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, CA. Each year the AHI hosts the conference in a different city.

This year, co-sponsors include local organizations su

ch as the American Hellenic Council, AHEPA District 20 and the Greek Heritage Society of Southern California.

On behalf of the American Hellenic Council, President Michael Galanakis will be part of the panel discussing the "Importance of Being Active in the Political Process". Also, AHC Executive Director Alexander Mizan

will be moderating the panel talking about the Future of Greek-American Organizations.

The conference, which starts at 8:00 am and lasts through 6:00 pm

with a lunch break will examine various issues and will be host to many personalities from the local Greek-American community.

The Conference will feature additional issues the Role of Greek Americans in the Entertainment Industry, Greek Education in America, Greek-American Organization Study Programs and Religious & Cultural Identity.

The conference will open with the remarks of Mr. Nick Larigakis, Executive Director of the AHI, and Mr. Kyriakos Tsakopoulos, President and CEO of AKT Development.

Among others, the panelists will include US Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Father Rev. John Bakas, HBO Miniseries President Kary Antholis, Prof. Dimitrios Liappas, Dr. Thomas Gallant, AHEPA District Governor John Kopatsis, Greek Heritage Society President Shelly Papadopoulos, and Former CA Commissioner of Corporations Dimitris Boutris.

In addition, award-winning actor John Aniston will be one of the presenters and also receive the “AHI Hellenic Heritage Achievement Award”.

During luncheon the attendees will be addressed by the Consul General of Greece, Hon. Elisabeth Fotiadou and the Consul General of Cyprus, Hon. Andreas Kyprianides.

AHI’s members care deeply about the United States’ relationship with Greece and her neighbors. Following Pericles’s admonition that good citizenship requires involvement in public affairs, we recognize the important role played in a vibrant democracy by alert, engaged citizens.

Our mission is as clear today as it was when AHI was founded in 1974: Upholding the rule of law in matters of U.S. foreign policy, particularly in our nation’s dealings with Greece, Cyprus, and Turkey. In 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied Cyprus, AHI advocated a profoundly simple response—enforce U.S. law. At the time, the Executive Branch refused to enforce federal laws that prohibited Turkey’s aggressive use of U.S.-supplied arms and equipment.

AHI persuaded Congress to take action. The resulting legislation—an unprecedented rule of law U.S. arms embargo against Turkey—proved that the democratic ideals of ancient Greece continue to thrive as long as ordinary citizens remain vigilant, informed, and active. Since then, AHI has become the leading forum for addressing important issues that affect the U.S.’s relationship with Greece, Cyprus, and Southeastern Europe. It is a well-respected lobby, think-tank, business network, and educational foundation that informs and influences leaders, policymakers and citizens alike. We invite you to join and help us fulfill our mission.