TORONTO, June 5, 2013 – University students from Greece can hope for a better tomorrow, thanks to a $1 million donation to York University from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. This generous gift will support exchange students from Greek universities pursuing studies at York U.
“With the Foundation’s support to study in Canada, young students from Greek universities will have an opportunity to dream, to help make dreams become reality, and to hope for a better tomorrow,” says Andreas Dracopoulos, co-president of the foundation’s board of directors.
The gift comes at a crucial time, with Greece in the midst of a crippling socioeconomic crisis, making its impact even greater. It falls in line with the Foundation’s current $130 million initiative to provide assistance against the severe effects of the country’s crisis.
The donation celebrates 70 years of Canada-Greece diplomatic relations and was facilitated by Canada’s Ambassador to Greece, Robert Peck. The donation will be formally announced June 7 at the Toronto-based Hellenic Heritage Foundation’s 17th Annual Gala.
"The Stavros Niarchos Foundation’s generous gift builds on substantial support from Toronto’s Hellenic community, and enables us to increase international opportunities for students by facilitating student exchanges with partner institutions in Greece," says Dean Martin Singerof the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, which attracts thousands of international students to York, including students from Greece.
York’s Hellenic Studies program offers courses in Greek language, as well as ancient and modern Greek history. Scholarships funded by York’s partners in the Greek community are available to students in the program. The program’s Hellenic Heritage Foundation Chair in Modern Greek History, Professor Anthanasios (Sakis) Gekas, recently spearheaded the Greek Canadian History Project along with PhD student Chris Grafos.
“We hope this new gift will attract bright young scholars from Greek universities and inspire others in the Greek community to invest in the work we are doing with York,” says George Raios, president of the Hellenic Heritage Foundation.
WHAT: $1 million cheque presentation to York University at the Hellenic Heritage Foundation’s 17th Annual Gala
WHERE: Paramount Event and Conference Centre, 222 Rowntree Dairy Road, Vaughn
WHEN: Friday, June 7, 2013, 7:00pm
York University is helping to shape the global thinkers and thinking that will define tomorrow. York U’s unwavering commitment to excellence reflects a rich diversity of perspectives and a strong sense of social responsibility that sets us apart. A York U degree empowers graduates to thrive in the world and achieve their life goals through a rigorous academic foundation balanced by real-world experiential education. As a globally recognized research centre, York U is fully engaged in the critical discussions that lead to innovative solutions to the most pressing local and global social challenges. York U’s 11 faculties and 28 research centres are thinking bigger, broader and more globally, partnering with 288 leading universities worldwide. York U's community is strong − 55,000 students, 7,000 faculty and staff, and more than 250,000 alumni.
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation (www.SNF.org) is one of the world’s leading international philanthropic organizations, making grants in the areas of arts and culture, education, health and medicine, and social welfare. The Foundation funds organizations and projects that exhibit strong leadership and sound management and are expected to achieve a broad, lasting and positive social impact. The Foundation also seeks actively to support projects that facilitate the formation of public-private partnerships as effective means for serving public welfare. From 1996 until today, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation has approved grant commitments of $1.36 billion / €1.03 billion, through 2,473 grants to nonprofit organizations in 109 nations around the world. Excluding the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC), the Foundation’s funding is equally divided between grants in Greece and international ones. The Foundation, concerned with the continuing socio-economic crisis in Greece, announced in January 2012 a grant initiative of $130 million (€100 million) over three years to help ease the adverse effects of the deepening crisis. Since then, and as part of the initiative, the SNF has committed grants totaling $75 million (€58 million) in support of numerous not-for-profit organizations around the country. The Foundation’s largest single gift ($796 million / €566 million) is the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC), in Athens. Construction works at the site have already begun. The Stavros Niarchos Foundation firmly believes that the project is of national importance, even more so under the current socio-economic conditions. It remains a testament and a commitment to the country’s future, at a critical historical juncture. It is also an engine of short- to mid-term economic stimulus, which is essential under the current circumstances.
The Hellenic Heritage Foundation is a charitable, non-profit organization, established in Toronto in 1996, dedicated to raising funds to preserve and promote Hellenic heritage and culture in Canada. Working with partners in academia, the arts and business, the Foundation funds projects that enrich our Canadian mosaic, provide opportunities and new experiences for youth and others in our community and contribute to a more caring, vibrant and tolerant society. As a prominent member of Imagine Canada, the Hellenic Heritage Foundation is a highly respected and professionally managed Foundation that has raised over $5.5 million to advance its objectives.The Hellenic Heritage Foundation, a long-time supporter of York University, has raised millions in support of Hellenic Studies at York, including a Chair in Modern Greek History, seven undergraduate scholarships and three graduate fellowships.The Foundation is proudly celebrating its 17th anniversary in 2013.
Media Contact:
Gloria Suhasini, York University Media Relations, 416 736 2100 ext. 22094, suhasini@yorku.ca
