Annual Report 2012
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ANNUAL REPORT 2012 American Hellenic Institute American Hellenic Institute Foundation AMERICAN HELLENIC INSTITUTE TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ............................................................................................................. 1 Public Policy: An Overview ............................................................................. 2 Legislative & Policy Initiatives ........................................................................ 5 Awards Dinners ...................................................................................................... 6 Public Awareness Campaign ......................................................................... 7 Leadership Visits to Greece & Cyprus ....................................................... 8 Media Relations ................................................................................................... 10 Conferences& Forums ..................................................................................... 12 Hellenic House Visitors ................................................................................... 13 General News ....................................................................................................... 14 AHI Foundation Initiatives ............................................................................ 17 Leadership, Awards & Staff News ............................................................. 18 Internship Program ........................................................................................... 19 American Hellenic Institute 1220 16th Street, NW • Washington, DC 20036 202-785-8430 Phone • 202-785-5178 Fax Web site: www.ahiworld.org • Email: [email protected] 2012 ANNUAL REPORT Introduction which addresses a cluster of national Religious Freedom. Turkey’s dubious and and international issues pertinent to the troublesome foreign policy direction, Dear Members and Friends: interests of Greece, Cyprus, and the United which includes Turkish aggression in the States Aegean and bellicose threats against Israel It affords me great pleasure to and Cyprus as they develop oil and gas present the 2012 AHI Annual Report. AHI hosted three major policy conferences reserves within their Exclusive Economic that took an in-depth examination of the Zone (EEZ), is ongoing. The FYROM name- All of AHI’s policy-based programs and critical issues and developments affecting recognition issue remains at a stalemate, initiatives that advance the best interests of Greece, Cyprus and Turkey. Topics examined and Greece’s economic condition remains the United States on issues of importance were Greece’s economic crisis, Cyprus’ EU uncertain. All require our collective to Greek Americans are encapsulated in Presidency and the evolution of Turkey’s attention and action. this report. foreign policy. How Turkey interacts with the development of the U.S. foreign policy Together, we must work to educate a In 2012, AHI issued 81 press releases via think tanks was also examined in our new Congress on our issues. The 113th detailing our numerous policy activities. Noon Forum. Congress will remain divided and there These activities included: the 37th will be new members in key committee Annual Hellenic Heritage Achievement Furthermore, we had a parade of visiting positions. In addition, although President and National Public Service Awards dignitaries from Greece and Cyprus visit Barack Obama has won re-election, we will Dinner; the 11th annual “Future of Hellenic House. This included a Greek also be working with new officials and staff Hellenism in America” conference; the parliamentary delegation, several ministers within his administration, including a new 9th Annual Awards Dinner in Athens; and deputy ministers, military officials, secretary of State, John Kerry. Therefore, our annual “Congressional Salute to and former Greek Olympic hero. AHI also we have plenty of work to do to ensure Greek Independence Day” on Capitol Hill; welcomed new U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus that our issues remain at the forefront of our annual trips to Greece and Cyprus, John Koenig and new Greek Ambassador the Obama Administration’s foreign policy including our Study Abroad Program and a to the U.S. Christos Panagopoulos. agenda and that the policy commitments continuing commitment to visit Israel; and he made to the community are kept. our numerous public policy conferences We accomplished all of these initiatives and forums. thanks to the dedication of AHI’s Board of Finally, AHI looks to build upon the Directors and Policy Fellows and assistance momentum generated by uplifting Following the 2010 debut of the of our staff. In 2012, we were proud to programs such as our study abroad documentary Cyprus Still Divided: A U.S. announce a new hire, Legislative Assistant initiative for college students or our Foreign Policy Failure” that aired on PBS, Georgea Polizos. outreach to the Jewish American we embarked on an ambitious series community while exploring additional of “Town Hall Screenings” throughout 2013: Keeping our Policy Agenda ways to encourage growth in commerce, North America. In 2012, the “Town Hall trade, and investment between the Screenings” helped to elevate awareness Visible amid New Government United States and Greece and Cyprus. In of the Cyprus issue to greater heights Officials particular, AHI will continue to pursue with events held in nine venues, bringing AHI will look to strengthen the programs efforts with United Airlines to reestablish the total number of screenings in major and initiatives that were offered in 2012. a direct airline route to Athens from the metropolitan areas to 24. At AHI’s south We are always looking for innovative ways United States. On the policy front, AHI is Florida screening, the chairman of the to improve service to our membership excited about a partnership it will launch House Foreign Affairs Committee at the base, to better address our core agenda, with the Hudson Institute in 2013. time participated. and to cultivate opportunities to positively I am deeply grateful and appreciative of At AHI, the majority of our efforts focus influence the Greek American community and U.S. relations with Greece and the members, officers and staff for their on advancing U.S. relations with Greece dedication. Everyone worked together and Cyprus as in the best interests of the Cyprus. We aspire to do so amid ongoing challenging economic times. We will to make 2012 another productive U.S., and to support the Greek American year. Alongside our own activities in community. To this effect, we engaged continue to seek your support as we strive to meet our basic mission as advocates for Washington, AHI’s strength relies on policy makers in the administration and the many significant contributions and Congress through numerous action the rule of law. generous support of our members. We alerts, letters, testimony, and face-to- The eastern Mediterranean remains face meetings with a significant number also look to you to communicate your a region of crucial importance to U.S. of congressional staff persons in 2012. suggestions, share your knowledge, and interests, and we must advance and When appropriate, AHI showcased provide your insights so that we can promote policies that embrace the rule of commentaries, letters, and op-ed pieces continue to fulfill the needs of our most law in the region. Coming off a successful critical of Turkey’s foreign policy positions valuable asset—our members. EU presidency, the Republic of Cyprus as well as crafting our own op-eds and remains divided and now faces economic letters to the editor to mainstream and Thank you. challenges. Although 2012 saw little Greek American media outlets. We also progress with respect to religious freedom Warmest regards, continued to keep our audience informed in Turkey, the plight of the Ecumenical with our Policy Statements, Capital Patriarch and the Patriarchate continues Report, and foreign policy forums. AHI and Turkey was in fact designated a Foundation contributes to this effort with “Country of Particular Concern” nation the publication of its Online Policy Journal Nick Larigakis, President by the U.S. Commission on International 1 PUBLIC POLICY: AN OVERVIEW The Cyprus Problem AHI supports a settlement of the Cyprus problem through 2012 Policy Statements on Greek negotiations based on a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation American Issues in a state with a single sovereignty and international per- sonality, incorporating the norms of a constitutional de- The American Hellenic Institute released its 2012 Policy mocracy embracing key American principles, the EU acquis Statements, which present issues affecting the Greek communautaire and EU Founding Treaty, UN resolutions American community as they pertain to United States on Cyprus, the pertinent decisions of the European Court relations with Greece, Cyprus, and Turkey. In essence, the of Human Rights and of other European Courts — as is the statements set the course for AHI’s policy direction for the best interests of the United States. year. The policy statements are distributed to high-ranking government officials and policymakers. They also serve as a One of AHI’s primary objectives is to keep the Cyprus guide when communicating positions to U.S. policy makers issue, the basis for a solution, and the ongoing violations and the media. The positions are based on the best interests of religious freedom and destruction of cultural heritage of the United States. in Turkish-occupied Cyprus at the