Symposium 2005 most successful yet

SYMPOSIUM 2005, organised by The Greek Conference and held in Mykonos at the end of September has been hailed a great success.

Melbourne Lawyer and Chairmwoman, Eugenia Mitrakas described the sell out event, as the 'most successful legal/medical conference that she had organised in either Greece or Australia.'

"We had an excellent professional program and tremendous participation from our delegates, who came from Greece, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Africa" she said, "as well as support from the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Mykonos, Christos Veronis and Athanathios Megas and a formal welcome from Justice Konstantinos Vardavakis of Arios Pagos."

Australia's Nobel Prize Winner in Medicine, Professor Peter Doherty, delivered the Keynote Address.

Symposium 2005 addressed issues in law and medicine under the general topic of "Towards a Just Society" and was organised in conjunction with a steering group in Athens led by Dr Takis Vidalis from the Hellenic Bioethics Commission.

Eugenia Mitrakas indicated that other leading participants included Professor George Papadimitriou from the University of Athens (previously an advisor to Prime Minister Simitis), Professor George Pavlidis from Thessaloniki, lawyer Chrissa Loukas, presently with the International Court of Justice at The Hague.

"We are a not for profit organisation" said Eugenia Mitrakas, "and from Symposium 2005 we aimed to support the Cell and Gene Therapy Unit at the Murdoch Institute in its research into thalassaemia."

Outside the Professional Program, Symposium 2005 had an extensive social program, showcasing Greek Culture, with major contributions from musicians, Elizabeth Exintaris and Roz Nicolaou as well as from Melbourne born writer Gillian Bouras, now residing in the Peloppenese. Part of the cultural program included a cruise to nearby Syros and a performance there by Elizabeth Exintaris at the world famed Apollo Theatre.

"We also explored the historic excavations at Delos", said Eugenia Mitrakas, "and had the opportunity to hear from Dr Panagiotis Hadjidakis, the archaeologist in charge of excavations on Delos and Mykonos, who delivered the keynote cultural address.

"It has always been my aim to provide a high quality professional program and to also showcase Greek art and culture to our delegates", commented Eugenia Mitrakas. "I am sure we achieved this outcome to the fullest degree possible and I am confident that these events not only encourage Greek-Australian professionals to explore their origins, but also expose a far wider audience from many countries to the beauty and traditions of Greece."

Preparations are well under way for Masterclass 2006 to be held in Melbourne next August. The organisation's next event in Greece would be held in either Santorini or Kos in September 2007. Both events will also support the Murdoch's thalassaemia program.