HELLENIC DEMOCRATIC INITIATIVE

PARTICIPATE - CHALLENGE - TRANSFORM

WE MUST DEAL WITH THE CURRENT CRISIS

Because:

• Greece is undergoing a deep and multifaceted crisis: a political crisis, an economic crisis, a social crisis and a crisis of values.

• Human values and ideals are dissipating under the enormity of the burden imposed by a shadow economy, systemic corruption, a consumerist society and an ethos of easy enrichment.

• The current political system of governance is decayed, bankrupt and in need of fundamental restructuring.

WE MUST BECOME ACTIVE CITIZENS – WE MUST CHALLENGE CORRUPTION

Because:

• The Hellenic political system has transcended into a system that appropriates and abuses power and serves to maintain domestic and foreign economic and political interests.

• The current political system of governance sustains, and is sustained by, corruption, nepotism and clientelism.

• Corruption is ingrained across multiple segments of Greek society. It impedes on economic growth and causes political destabilization and destruction of government capacity.

• The fight against corruption, nepotism and clientelism requires civil engagement, strategic coordination, deep institutional and legal reforms, political will, the enforcement of the rule of law and the establishment of a new political and cultural ethos.

WE MUST HELP TRANSFORM GREECE - WE MUST HELP ESTABLISH A NEW POLITY

Because:

• The transformation of Greece necessitates a paradigm shift that incorporates Hellenic values and ideals and ushers a new era of government responsibility and inclusive governance. 

• The establishment of a new political and cultural ethos requires the development of a new democratic understanding that appropriately balances the needs of the individual with the wider interests of society.

• Government needs to be transparent and accountable to its citizens. It must encourage public participation and collaboration, the adoption of the rule of law, the promotion of citizens welfare, solidarity, social justice, prosperity and environmental responsibility.

• The establishment of a new polity demands active and dynamic Hellenic citizens of the world, free from introspection, dogmatism, partisanship and corruption.

WE MUST DEMAND THE STRENGTHENING OF OUR FOREIGN POLICY

Because:

• Foreign policy does not permit illusions and idleness but rather requires active diplomacy and a dynamic international presence. It requires the adoption of a multilateral foreign policy that broadens and deepens engagement with the international community and creates strategic international alliances.

• The pursuit of national interests and dealing with emerging national and global threats requires a unified national strategy that best reflects the aspirations of Hellenism and current global realities.

• National autonomy, territorial integrity, sovereignty and the security of Greek citizens cannot be compromised or conceded.

• Resolution to long standing national disputes can only be achieved by strengthening national confidence, promoting national interests and insisting on the implementation of United Nations Resolutions, International Conventions, European Acquis and International Law.

WE MUST DEMAND ECONOMIC REFORM  

Because:

• Greece is at the brink of bankruptcy, having entered into a vicious circle of high public debt, explosive budget deficits, low competitiveness and inadequate production and technological development.

• Greece remains totally dependant on the International Monetary Fund, the Eurozone member-states and on local and foreign economic interests.

• Greece is a victim of governmental incompetence. It endures uneven income distribution, poor infrastructure, high unemployment, corruption and large scale systemic state capture.

WE MUST HELP ENHANCE AND MOBILISE THE HELLENIC DIASPORA

Because:

• A true national reconstruction needs to inspire and mobilize the global forces of Hellenism.

• The Hellenic Diaspora, and the millions of Hellenes that comprise it, are an integral part of Greece and should not be wasted on short sighted foreign policy gains and party political power games.

• The Hellenic Diaspora needs to stand up and accept that they have a historical and moral obligation to contribute towards a new post-partisan leadership that will champion a new ethos and vision for Hellenism and Greece.

• The Hellenic Diaspora must help motivate, encourage and mobilize the wider Hellenic forces and create the essential consents and momentum required to enhance the aspirations of Hellenism in the 21st century.

• The establishment of a coordinated national strategy to deal with issues affecting the Hellenic Diaspora is of paramount importance in particular since the Hellenic Diaspora is currently undergoing an existential crisis and a serious threat of total assimilation within the national environment it resides.

WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND AND RESPOND TO THE CHALLENGES OF GLOBALIZATION

Because:

• We live in an inter-dependent world in which political, cultural and economic events are interconnected and where emerging global challenges require global analysis, global commitment and a global response.

• Hellenism needs to reassess its future. It must devise a strategy that will secure its presence in a new globalised world by instilling national confidence and investing in technological and educational excellence and in its historical and cultural traditions.

• The problems associated with education, unemployment, globalization, consumerism, labor rights, drug use, human rights abuses and environmental destruction are problems that transcend national borders and affect Greece, Hellenism and the wider global community and are the result of a profound global social crisis that is affecting humanity.

WE MUST DEMAND GLOBAL IMPLEMENTATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

Because:

• As Hellenic citizens of the world it is our duty to promote social progress, prosperity, equality and a universal standard of human rights.

• Respect for human rights, natural law and fundamental freedoms are common entitlements that should be afforded to all humans irrespective of social status, gender, political beliefs, and religion or ethnic origins.

• The right to dignity, the right to work, the right to education and the right to adequate standard of living are human rights that must be afforded to every citizen.

WE MUST DEMAND AN OVERHAUL OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM

Because:

• Because access to free, quality education is a fundamental human right that must be provided to all citizens irrespective of income and residential location.

• The aim of education must be to cultivate knowledge and develop research capabilities, technical training as well as critical thinking and free inquiry.

• The Hellenic education system is dysfunctional, bureaucratic and outdated and fails to meet the demands of society, the employment market and the prospects of the 21st century.

• A radical reconstruction of the existing education system is necessary in order to meet the growing demands of a globalized world and to help create ethical, cultured, educated, disciplined and confident citizens ready and able to face the challenges of the future and serve society as worthy citizens.

WE MUST DEMAND FREE QUALITY HEALTH CARE

Because:

• Access to free quality health care to all citizens irrespective of income and residential location is a fundamental human right.

• An effective health care system needs to be anthropocentric, fair, efficient, reliable and equally accessible to all and not subject to radical privatization, commercialization and corruption.

• The Hellenic health system requires urgent overhaul and reform in order effectively eliminate corruption and deal with the growing requirements of an ageing population, medical advances and the health challenges of the 21st Century.

• The modernization of methodologies and infrastructure and the provision of increased government resources and aid towards medical research and technology should be a government policy priority.

WE MUST HELP PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT – WE NEED TO SUPPORT A NEW ECOLOGICAL APPROACH

Because:

• Damage to the Hellenic environment, the destruction of valuable natural resources and the need for a balanced ecosystem are important issues that transcend borders and equally affect Greece and the wider world.

• There is a deep correlation between modern methods of production, unsustainable patterns of consumption, corruption and irresponsible development and construction.

• Emphasis needs to be placed on the environmental rights and needs of future generations and the equitable distribution of environmental risk in our society.

• Environmental issues require a sustainable ecological approach, the adoption of ecological values and a radical change in all sectors of Greek society.

The HELLENIC DEMOCRATIC INITIATIVE for Hellenism, Transparency and Social Justice is a recently established global Hellenic non-profit organisation.

It was established by Hellenes of the Diaspora and aims to help:

 1. Promote transparency, social justice and the adoption of the rule of law in Greece;

2. Unify, motivate, encourage and mobilize the global democratic forces of Hellenism;

3. Combat corruption, nepotism, human rights abuses, clientelism and environmental damage;

 4. Engage civil society and undertake direct initiatives to help promote Hellenic interests and deal with challenges imposed by globalization;

 5. Encourage political activism and establish an open socio-political dialogue that will identify and address issues affecting Greece, Hellenism and global society;

 6. Formulate an ecumenical, patriotic, social alliance that will articulate a new  ethos and will create the necessary consents and momentum required to enhance the aspirations of Hellenism in the 21st  century; 

 7.    Advance a truly representative democracy that will encourage civil discourse and citizen    participation and will provide citizens with means of checking and balancing governmental authority and power.

HELLENIC DEMOCRATIC INITIATIVE 

for Hellenism, Transparency and Social Justice