Newsletter #1.1 · June 2026
Global Hellenism, Collaborative Networks and Emerging Challenges
The nonprofit civil partnership Komvos – Node: Networks of Global Hellenism began its journey four years ago with a vision: to make better use of the potential of Hellenism around the world for the development of Greece, in a rapidly changing environment that constantly brings the country face to face with new challenges.
In this issue
- Message from the President
- What Komvos Is
- 3rd Working Conference
- Komvos Initiatives
- Komvos in the Coming Period
- Contact
Angelos Chaniotis President of Komvos’ BoD
Message from the President
What highlights the importance of mobilizing Global Hellenism.
As we present the organization’s first Newsletter, it is useful to reflect on what has happened over the past four years and why it underscores the importance of bringing Global Hellenism together around a shared purpose.
When Komvos was founded, Russia had not yet invaded Ukraine; the war in the Middle East had not begun; energy transport had not emerged as an issue of major strategic importance; the Turkey–Libya memorandum had not been signed; Donald Trump’s return did not seem likely; and the revolution brought by OpenAI with ChatGPT in 2022 was something only insiders could foresee. Naturally, no one could have predicted that the United States would develop an environment hostile to research and to the recruitment of research talent from abroad, particularly from Asian countries.
I could cite many other examples of the rapid and unexpected developments that sometimes dramatically alter Greece’s geopolitical position or affect our daily lives. To address these challenges, it is now more necessary than ever to take initiatives that make effective use of the potential of Global Hellenism.
An Incubator for Concrete Initiatives with Visible Results
From the outset, the intention of the founding members and successive Boards of Directors was for Komvos not to become yet another think tank, but an incubator for concrete initiatives with visible results, sometimes long-term, sometimes short-term.
To achieve this goal, Komvos develops initiatives supported by advisory committees. It also participates in public dialogue on major issues related to its mission, such as voting rights for Greeks abroad and the better organization of research. Whenever requested, it offers its expertise to the State in areas such as research policy, education, the economy and the return of scientists to Greece. It works with organizations that share similar goals and organizes events in Greece and abroad, in the latter case in cooperation with Greek diplomatic missions.
An Invitation to Dialogue for a Better Future
Our Newsletter is intended not only to provide information about our initiatives, but also to invite the organization’s partners, corresponding members and friends to engage in dialogue on activities that reflect the philosophy of Komvos: that a better future for our country requires building bridges with Hellenism abroad and creating networks of cooperation.
Prof. Angelos Chaniotis
Chairman of the Board
Komvos – Networks of Global Hellenism
What Is Komvos?
Komvos – Networks of Global Hellenism is an independent nonprofit organization created to connect people, knowledge and initiatives in Greece and the diaspora.
Major Sponsor of Komvos is Piraeus Bank,
which supports the implementation of its vision.
Connecting People and Initiatives
At a time of geopolitical, technological and economic change, harnessing the potential of Global Hellenism is a critical prerequisite for strengthening Greece’s international footprint.
The Major Challenges of Our Time Are Interconnected
Its activity spans different fields — from shipping, artificial intelligence and sustainable tourism to biotechnology, research and the space economy — because the major challenges of our time are now interconnected. In this context, Komvos operates as a “think & act” organization: it seeks to develop concrete initiatives, synergies and actions with continuity and a measurable impact.
Building Bridges of Cooperation between Greece and Global Hellenism
Annual events, thematic initiatives, content production and the connection of people and organizations are all part of a broader effort: to create stable bridges of cooperation between Greece and Global Hellenism.
3rd Working Conference: Greece in Global Perspective
The 3rd Working Conference of Komvos served as an open meeting space for academics, business executives, institutional representatives and public-sector stakeholders, united by a common goal: to formulate proposals and synergies in critical areas for the future of the country.
participations
sperakers from 5 countries
hours of content
pieces of material
LinkedIn engagement rate
impressions across digital channels (as of 26 January 2026)
Sponsor of the Conference of Komvos is the National Bank of Greece,
which is also Major Sponsor of the ENNOIA initiative
Conference Review and Impact
The measurable data on participation, digital reach and visibility reflect a multiplier effect, which continues to develop through on-demand content, social media posts and public references.
Komvos’ Conference served as an open meeting space for academics, business executives, institutional representatives and public-sector stakeholders, united by a common goal: to formulate proposals and synergies in critical areas for the future of the country. Through thematic sessions and focused interventions, the Conference highlighted issues related to sustainable development, innovation and Greece’s role in a changing international environment.
At the same time, it functioned as a point of networking and exchange of experience, strengthening the connection between science, entrepreneurship and institutions.
A Platform for Meaningful Dialogue and Cooperation
The Komvos Conference reaffirmed its role as a platform for meaningful dialogue and cooperation, combining institutional presence, evidence-based analysis and active civic participation. Its hybrid format, cross-thematic approach and systematic production of content enabled the discussions to reach audiences beyond the time and physical space of the event. The measurable data on participation, digital reach and visibility reflect a multiplier effect, which continues to develop through on-demand content, social media posts and public references.
Komvos’ Initiatives
Komvos has created a collaborative environment where scientists, businesses, organizations and institutions come together around specific initiatives, with the aim of achieving measurable results and continuity. These initiatives operate with the support of advisory committees, composed of Komvos Partners, corresponding members and individuals with expertise in the relevant field, who do not necessarily need to be partners of the organization.
ENNOIA
The initiative “ENNOIA: Empowering Households in Their Financial Decisions” connects scientific knowledge and entrepreneurial ingenuity with the aim of strengthening households.
Empowering households in their financial decisions is a critical factor of social resilience. Through ENNOIA, Komvos, together with the National Bank of Greece and Accenture, is shaping an institutional framework that connects scientific knowledge and entrepreneurial ingenuity, with the aim of supporting households in their effort to manage financial risks without being overwhelmed by them.
Michael Haliassos Vice-Chairman of the BoD
The initiator and coordinator of the initiative is Professor Michael Haliassos, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Komvos, Professor at Goethe University Frankfurt and Director of the CEPR European Network on Household Finance.
In 2026, the call for entrepreneurial proposals aimed at empowering households in their financial decisions was launched for the second consecutive year, within the broader framework of the National Bank of Greece’s Business Seeds programme. The call for the second cycle of research proposals was also launched, with global outreach and promotion.
Demi Gkountoufa · Kostas Faliagkas
The initiative is funded by the National Bank of Greece and supported by Accenture.
As part of this collaboration, Accenture has developed the initiative’s website. For more information about the initiative:
Biotechnology Hub
The initiative aims to develop a mature scientific and technological foundation for the Life and Health Sciences ecosystem in Greece.
With this perspective, Komvos is working towards the creation of a Biotechnology Hub: a Biotechnology Industrial Park focused on establishing production units for raw materials for the pharmaceutical industry and for medicines, while also strengthening the connection between research and industry.
Strategic partners of the initiative are the ARISTEiA Institute in the United States and Accenture. With the first two stages of the feasibility study completed and the third stage now under way, the initiative marks the beginning of a new phase of development.
The goal is for Greece to move in step with other EU Member States that will play a leading role in the actions expected to emerge from the European Biotech Act.
The coordinator of the initiative is Konstantinos Drosatos, Secretary General of Komvos, Ohio Eminent Scholar, Professor of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neurobiology at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, and President of the ARISTEiA Institute, USA.
Scientific Council:
George Kaliviotis, Vice President, Head of Product Supply Chain, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, USA
Nikos Kyrpides, Head of the Microbial Genomes and Metagenomes Programme, U.S. Department of Energy – Joint Genome Institute; Member of the Board
Fay Makantasi, Research Director, diaNEOsis; Partner
Mary Bibi, Health and Media Communications Specialist
Nikandros Bouras, Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry, King’s College London; Corresponding Member of the organization
Greg Roumeliotis, Vice President, Global Business Development, Orgenesis Inc.
Stratos Tavoulareas, Energy Advisor; Adjunct Professor, Georgetown University, USA
Mata Charokopou, Head of Strategy & Planning for Eastern Europe, UCB BioPharma, Greece
Emi Psachoulia, Strategy & Commercial Excellence Specialist
Managing Director, Accenture Greece, Konstantinos Drosatos
Secretary General of the BoD of Komvos
Shipping – Green Transition of Coastal Shipping and Short Sea Shipping
Despite its strategic position and the international strength of its fleet, Greece needs a strong research, technology and knowledge-transfer body in the field of shipping.
Komvos positions the green transition of coastal shipping and short sea shipping as a tool for development, through an initiative for a maritime hub and fund that connect investment, infrastructure and ESG solutions.
Harris Antoniou Treasurer of Komvos
The initiator of the initiative is Harris Antoniou, Treasurer of the Board of Komvos. The initiative has completed its first cycle and, with the contribution of the Advisory Committee, now focuses strategically on coastal shipping, short sea shipping and port infrastructure — primarily on the islands — highlighting their role as critical pillars of national cohesion and green transition.
The members of the first Advisory Committee were Professor Sotirios Theofanis, Professor Maria Boile, Honorary President of Komvos John Papanikolaou, John Platsidakis and Professor Hercules Haralambides.
The initiative is now entering its second cycle with a new structure, an expanded composition and Professor Sotirios Theofanis as coordinator. Harris Antoniou, as initiator of the initiative, serves as the link between the initiative and the Board of Directors of Komvos.
The initiative is supported by Deloitte, which has prepared the first draft plan for the creation of the Maritime Fund and Hub, focusing on the green transition and looking ahead to the Net Zero era of shipping.
Harris Antoniou · Sotirios Theofanis · George Alexandratos
Ai’nclusion – Preparing the Economy and Society for the Age of AI
An innovative initiative that aims to identify and remove barriers to access to Artificial Intelligence, while strengthening critical technological literacy.
The objectives of the initiative are to map barriers and inequalities in access to AI, design policy solutions, empower vulnerable social groups with tools and skills, strengthen critical technological literacy, support the inclusion of the Greek language in large language models, and build trust and social cohesion around the digital transition.
The initiator of the initiative is Maria (Marily) Mexi, Head of the Democratizing the Platform Economy Initiative.
The coordinator of the initiative is Nikolaos Mavridis, MIT PhD, Assistant Professor and Director of the Interactive Robots and Media Lab at the United Arab Emirates University.
The idea for the initiative was proposed by Dimitris Fragkoulis, Advisor to Komvos.
The members of the Advisory Committee are:
Professor Christina Koulouri, Professor of History and Rector of Panteion University; Partner,
Thanos Markantonis, Stockbroker and Vice Chairman of the Artificial Intelligence Group AI Catalyst; Corresponding Member,
Kyriacos Sabatakakis, Chairman and CEO of Accenture Hellas; Partner, and
Harris Antoniou, entrepreneur, Neptune Maritime Leasing; Treasurer of the organization.
The Ai’nclusion panel at the 3rd Komvos Conference: Kostas Karpouzis, Katerina Pastra, Nikolaos Mavridis, Kyriacos Sabatakakis, Thanos Markantonis
In collaboration with Panteion University, the initiative is designing a research project under the scientific guidance of Professor Konstantinos Karpouzis. The research aims, among other things, to analyze the social consequences and forms of bias associated with AI systems.
Tourism and Sustainability
In an environment of climate instability, social polarization and rapid technological change, sustainable tourism is a form of ethical and political choice.
Komvos’ “Tourism and Sustainability” initiative contributes to the development of a new framework of thought and practice for the growth of tourism in Greece.
The initiative was not limited to highlighting problems. It sought to function as a transition platform: a space where ideas, tools and collaborations can be developed to support the sustainable transition of tourism.
As part of the 3rd Annual Working Conference of Komvos, honorary distinctions were awarded for the first time to initiatives that contribute to the sustainable development of destinations.
The initiator of the initiative is Elizabeth Filippouli, Komvos Partner and Founder & CEO of Global Thinkers Forum and Athena40.
The members of the Advisory Committee are, in alphabetical order:
- Anna Grimani, Journalist; Komvos Partner,
- George Kourmouzis, Sports Marketing, Mondial Sports & Leisure,
- Konstantinos Mitropoulos, Business Consultant and Corresponding Member of Komvos,
- Gianna Balafouti, Journalist, Proto Thema–Cantina; Gastronomy Consultant,
- Dr Marie-Athena Papathanasiou, International Environmental Lawyer and Corresponding Member of Komvos,
- Vicky Pryce, Economist, Chief Economic Adviser; Partner and Member of the Board of Komvos,
- Eleni Skarveli, Director, GNTO UK & Ireland, and
- Ioannis Spilanis, Professor, University of the Aegean; Aegean Sustainable Tourism Observatory.
Space Science and Industry
Space science, technology and industry constitute a cutting-edge field for scientific research, technological innovation, national strategy and defence, and, consequently, economic development.
Greece is actively involved in European and international space organizations, institutions and agreements, including ESA, the Artemis Accords, ISECG and others. With the operation of the Hellenic Space Center, the country is now positioning itself dynamically on the global map of space research and the space economy. Through this initiative, Komvos’ vision is to help establish Greece as an active hub of space knowledge, technology and innovation, combining science, industry, education and culture. In addition, leveraging space as a driver of development can contribute to brain gain and economic growth.
Prof. Stamatios Krimigis
The initiators of the initiative are Professor Stamatios Krimigis, former President of the Academy of Athens and Emeritus Head of the Space Exploration Sector at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, and Athena Coustenis, Astrophysicist and Director of Research Exceptional Class at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), working at the Paris Observatory.
The Advisory Committee includes Anna Grimani, Journalist, Partner and Member of the Board of Komvos; Adrianos Golemis, ESA Flight Surgeon, working for MEDES at the European Space Agency’s European Astronaut Centre; and Dr Anezina Solomonidou, Planetary Scientist, Senior Scientist at the Hellenic Space Center, National Delegate of Greece to ESA and President of the Planetary and Solar System Sciences Division of the European Geosciences Union.
Global Hellenism as a Unified Space for Research and Action
Komvos approaches Global Hellenism as an active field of knowledge, experience, participation and cooperation. At the core of this approach is the need to move beyond the fragmentation of individual networks and shape a more coherent space connecting Greece with Greeks in the diaspora.
The section “Global Hellenism and Research” posed precisely this question: how Global Hellenism can function as a unified space for research, knowledge exchange, and the production and implementation of ideas, beyond geographical boundaries, institutional silos and fragmented initiatives.
The initiative highlights the value of cooperation, free research, open collaboration and the meaningful engagement of the diaspora through organized networking. In this same framework fall Komvos’ initiatives to map and create a registry of Greeks abroad, with an emphasis on scientists, researchers from all fields, professionals, entrepreneurs and people with international experience who can contribute to critical areas for the country.
Komvos also intervenes publicly on issues concerning the institutional relationship between Greece and Hellenism abroad, such as voting rights for Greeks abroad.
The head of this Komvos initiative is Angelos Chaniotis, Professor of Ancient History and Classics at the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton; Founding Member and Chairman of the Board of Komvos.
Node of Ideas, Greece 2025–2040
An initiative to strengthen public dialogue around the major challenges and opportunities facing the country over the next fifteen years.
The objective of the initiative is to draw on the experience, expertise and international perspective of the Komvos network in order to produce specific, evidence-based and actionable proposals. The articles do not aim to remain at the level of general observations, but to highlight priorities, necessary reforms, talent and fields in which Greece can strengthen its position.
The initiative is implemented in cooperation with Naftemporiki and is based on the participation of Komvos Partners, corresponding members and collaborators from Greece and abroad, who are invited to contribute evidence-based articles, interventions and proposals.
The aim is not to formulate general statements or aspirations, but to identify specific priorities, reforms and strategic choices that can strengthen Greece’s resilience, outward orientation and international presence. The articles cover a wide range of thematic fields, including:
space sciences, health and life sciences, the environment, international relations, tourism, Hellenism abroad and culture, education, the economy and industry, research and innovation, energy, shipping and technology.
Komvos in the Coming Period
In the coming period, Komvos will continue to develop its initiatives through actions that connect research, education, public dialogue and sustainable development.
As part of the AI’nclusion initiative, a series of MIT Day of AI educational seminars is being implemented, focusing on teacher training and the responsible use of artificial intelligence in the educational process.
On 18 June 2026, the first seminar in this series was held with the support of Codrus Capital AG. The meeting was hosted at the premises of Lavinia Corporation / Laskaridis Shipping, in the historic Cecil building in Kifissia. The AI Catalyst artificial intelligence group also contributed to the success of the seminar.
The 4th Conference of Komvos
At the same time, preparations are continuing for the 4th Komvos Working Conference, which will take place on 23 November and will serve as a meeting point for partners, corresponding members, scientists and institutional interlocutors from Greece and abroad, around the organization’s core initiatives and strategic priorities.
Supporter of the Conferences of Komvos is DEMO S.A.
Pharmaceutical Industry.
Komvos is supported by the Accounting Firm Ecovis OneTax.
In Sofrtware and IT matters, Komvos is supported by Natech.
Conference visual identity and creative concept:
Informal Advertising
Cross-Thematic Scope Is a Strategic Choice
One of the questions most frequently asked of Komvos concerns the cross-thematic nature of its initiatives. The economy, shipping, artificial intelligence, sustainable tourism, space, biotechnology, research, Hellenism abroad: what is the common denominator? The answer lies in the very nature of today’s challenges.
The economy, technology, geopolitics, energy, education and innovation no longer function as isolated fields. Developments in one area directly affect all the others and create the need for new forms of cooperation, networking and coordination.
In an international environment of rapid change, connecting different fields of knowledge and professional expertise is not a luxury but a necessity. This is precisely the logic that Komvos seeks to serve.
The common objective of all initiatives is to
strengthen Greece’s international footprint by connecting
people and initiatives in Greece and the diaspora.
The Book as a Timeless Space for Expression and Thought
In an age of rapid information and constant digital flow, the book remains one of the most stable spaces for developing ideas, knowledge and complex thought. Komvos has created a dedicated section on its website for books by its partners, corresponding members and collaborators.
Send us information about your own book.
View the section featuring books by members and collaborators.
The Invitation
Komvos develops initiatives that strengthen the connection between Greece and Global Hellenism.
It addresses those who are not content merely to follow developments, but wish to contribute to shaping them.
Contact us
Komvos – Node: Networks of Global Hellenism
25 Akadimias Street, Athens 10671
contact@komvos-node.org
https://komvos-node.org
G.E.MI. No.: 162940701000