Greek Students' Association of the University of Toronto

Pan Messenian Federation Summer School in Kalamata Program

Panmessenian Federation of USA and Canada

Summer School in Kalamata for Greek Youth and Teachers (2013)

Announcement

The Department of Humanities and Cultural Studies of the University of Peloponnese in Kalamata, the Panmessenian Federation of USA and Canada, the ATEI Kalamatas, the Prefecture of Peloponnese (Messenia), various municipalities and individuals and organizations organize for the eighth time a Greek summer school in Kalamata, from Monday, July 15 to Friday, August 9, 2013. The school curriculum includes: Greek language, history, philosophy, culture and civilization. The program also includes educational excursions in archaeological sites, as well as in various museums.

The purpose of the program is to enhance the Hellenic education and reinforce the Greek consciousness of our youth by providing an immersion experience in contemporary Greek culture in its native environment.

Applicants for the Summer School program in Kalamata are eligible for the program if they:

are between 18 and 24 years old (born between 1989 and 1995)

(Students must be 18 years old by July 14, 2013)

have completed at least five years of Hellenic school in the Diaspora or its equivalent by June 2013
have some ability to understand and communicate in the Greek language

Students who participated in the program in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 are not eligible in 2013. Priority will be given to students of Messenian descent.

Note to teachers: Instruction in this Summer School Program is provided by University of Peloponnese professors. Greek language teachers who participate in the program, in addition to being chaperons to the students, will also attend special seminars in teaching Greek as a second language. Classes are between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. in the lecture theatre of the University of Peloponnese at Kalamata. Attendance in the Summer School program (including all excursions), accommodation, breakfast and lunch are offered free of charge (on school days) to all participants. Air fare costs to Greece will be paid by the participants.

The deadline to submit your application is Friday, April 19, 2013

For applications or for more information about the program please visit our website www.pan-messinian.com or contact

Theodore Tzalalis (Vice-President of the Federation and Coordinator of the Summer School program at 905-764-0342; theotzal@hotmail.com, Toronto)

Hellenic Canadian Academic Association Fundraising Dinner

The Hellenic Canadian Academic Association of Ontario (HCAAO) invites you and your guests to the annual HCAAO Get-together Dinner. This year, our Get-together Dinner is very special and wide open to the community, as it is dedicated to raising funds for humanitarian assistance to Greece. The net proceeds will be donated to the Greek chapter of the Doctors of the World (DoW).

It is well known that due to the economic crisis, thousands of people in Greece, including children, are increasingly in need of medical attention, which they are increasingly unable to get through normal channels. Naturally, this problem tends to be most acute in the large cities and most importantly in Athens. The DoW, among many other NGOs, are on the ground trying to help the best way they can. As demand for their services grows however, these organizations find themselves overstretched and increasingly in need for more financial support.

Lecture: Between Catastrophe and Resistance: Greece and the Future of Europe

The Hellenic Canadian Academic Association of Ontario in partnership with the HHF Chair in Modern Greek History at York University present: Between Catastrophe and Resistance: Greece and the Future of Europe, a lecture by Dr. Costas Douzinas. Costas Douzinas is Professor of Law and Director of the Birkbeck Institute for the Humanities, Birkbeck College, University of London. Costas has written extensively in legal and political philosophy, human rights, aesthetics, literature, art and critical theory. His books have been translated in twelve languages. This event has been made possible with the generous support of the Hellenic Heritage Foundation.

Academic Evening on The Future of Hellenic Education in Canada: Collective Challenges & Actions

The office of the Consul General of Greece – Educational Affairs, in co-operation with the Hellenic Language Teachers of Ontario, the Office of Greek Education of the Metropolis of Toronto and the Department of Education of the Greek Community Toronto, cordially invite you to an academic evening on The Future of Hellenic Education in Canada: Collective Challenges, Collective Actions. Guest Speakers include: Dr. Michalis Vitopoulos (Post Secondary Greek Language Education), Dr. Peter Pericles Trifonas (Language, Culture and the New Generation) and Themistoklis Aravossitas (Greek Heritage Language Education in the 21st Century). Discussion and reception will follow.

Independence Day Parade Recap 2013

On Sunday March 24, 2013, the GSA was proud to march along side HSA’s of York and Ryerson in the Greek Independence Day Parade. As the weather was beautiful , the GSA proudly had 15 students marching down Danforth Ave (GreekTown) leading the other universities in the traditional parade symbolizing the day of Greek Independence (March 25th). Afterwards, we took all of our members and executives to Astoria Restaurant and met up with Ryerson for a delicious feast, subsidized by the GSA. The Danforth experienced the best turn out of onlookers in recent years. Greek spirit was higher than ever!

To see photos from the parade, CLICK HERE

Academic Night Recap – March 26, 2013

On the evening of Tuesday March 26th, the Greek Students’ Association at the University of Toronto hosted their fourth annual Academic Night. The majority of the attendants were already familiar with the Campbell Conference Theater at the prestigious Munk School of Global Affairs of the University of Toronto, as only eleven months ago the same Students’ Association made history by hosting for the first-time on Canadian soil, the North American Hellenic Students Association Convention. This time however, the crowd was slightly different. The attendants included students of a broad ethnic background, professors, and scholars from various academic disciplines from five different leading North American universities, the Chair of the Political Science Department, representatives of the Hellenic Heritage Foundation, and most importantly, the Consul General of Greece the Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos.

The event opened with a wine and cheese reception during which attendants had the opportunity to socialize with the speakers and ask questions that they would like them to address during their speeches. The two main speakers were the Consul General and Professor Efthalia Chatzigianni, both of which elaborated on their opinions for the political crisis in Greece, which included a deeper look into its causes, effects, and possible future outcomes.

Professor Chatzigianni is currently a visiting professor at the Munk School of Global Affairs, her research interests cover the areas of International Organization and European Governance to name a few, and has worked for three Organizing Committees for the Olympic Games.

The event was perceived by all attendants as the most successful Academic Night, and many professors congratulated UofT’s GSA for its efforts to promote Hellenism in the academic world, along with their vibrant cultural presence on campus.

For a complete photo gallery, CLICK HERE

Greek Independence Day Parade 2013

The GSA will be marching in the Greek Independence Day Parade this Sunday, March 24, 2013 on the Danforth between Jones and Chester. We kindly ask all members and guests that would like to participate in the march to arrive outside of the 7/11 store at Donlands and Danforth no later than 12:45PM.

Please wear your GSA sweater, GSA t-shirt, or something that resembles Greece.

After the parade, the Hellenic Students’ Associations of York, Ryerson, and the GSA will all be going to Astoria to enjoy a delicious lunch. If you’re a GSA member, Lunch is on us!

Greek Week 2013 – Recap

The Greek Students’ Association of Toronto hosted their annual Greek Week from March 18 to March 21. The week consisted of great Greek food, delicious desserts and a traditional roasting of a lamb. All week, the Greek Student’s Association was able to spread Greek culture and tradition throughout the university campus.

Greek Day was the first day of the week’s festivities. Freshly cooked souvlakia, gyros, potatoes, rice, and salad were served to members of the student community inside the busy Sidney Smith Hall Lobby. Sponsors such as Messinis and Astoria supported the event with their generous donations.

The second day of Greek Week was one of the most memorable of the week. The Greek Students’ Association roasted a lamb in cold, snowy conditions in front of Heart House. Although the snow kept getting worse and the cold weather continued throughout the day, the lamb roast remained to be a focal attraction and the GSA continued without hesitation. Starting at 8:30AM, the roast went on until 4PM after which the GSA cut and served the lamb to members and guests. Thank you to Ellas Meat Market for their kindness.

The concluding days of Greek Week showcased scrumptious Greek desserts and generous baked goods from members. Baklava, loukoumades and kourambiedes were among the popular Greek treats donated by Serano Bakery, Athens Pastries and Elite Bakery. In addition to the amazing bake goods, traditional Greek coffee and frappe were also served.

The Greek Students’ Association thanks all members, executives, directors, and sponsors for their generosity and support. Greek Week 2013 was an amazing success and the GSA hopes to continue spreading Greek culture throughout the following years at the University of Toronto.

For a complete Photo Gallery of Greek Week, CLICK HERE

GSA Election Results – 2013/14 Executive Committee

Congratulations to the winners of our 2012/13 Election that will make up the 2013/2014 Greek Students’ Association Executive Council. We hope the new executives take pride and push our association into it’s most successful year next year. The new Executives will be taking on their new roles as of May 2, 2013. Here are the winners:

President

Kostas Katsanevas

Vice-President Internal Affairs

Nikki Yorgiadis

Vice-President External Affairs

Anastasios Exacoustos

Vice-President Student Life

Victoria Bekiaris

Vice-President Public Relations

Dora Konomi

Treasurer

George Anastasakos

Secretary-General

Danielle Nina Tavernese

For complete election details, CLICK HERE

Academic Night

The University of Toronto Greek Students’ Association cordially invites you to join us for our annual Academic Night.

Join us on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 from 6:30-9:30PM at the Munk Campbell Conference Facility on the University of Toronto campus downtown.

The night will include a discussion and question/ answer period on issues pertinent to modern Greece and offer a contemporary insight into our Hellenic heritage through our theme of “demystifying the mentality of the modern Greek.”

Hors d’ourves and drinks will be provided. We kindly ask that you RSVP the latest to this invitation by Monday March 25, 2013.