Vision & Objective
The 2nd City of Athens Congress "Greece in the world: Byzantine Studies" will take place in Athens on June 25th, 26th and 27th 2009. It is the second of a Cycle of Congresses with the general title "Greece in the World" ( www.elladastonkosmo.gr ) which was inaugurated by the Mayor of Athens Mr. Nikitas Kaklamanis.
The objective of this Cycle of Congresses - which is organized with the collaboration of the City of Athens Cultural Organization and the Athens Concert Hall Organization - is the projection and outlining of the scientific work that takes place all over the world on behalf of Greece, the networking of corresponding scientists - Greeks and foreigners - to one another and the development of a three-year action plan that would concern each sector of studies and which will also be the subject of the congress. The objectives and the action plan that will result from each congress will be evaluated every three years so that the progress that has taken place towards the direction that will have resulted from the congress, can be examined.
Byzantine Studies
In the aforementioned framework it is important for the character of these congresses to be clarified and in this respect - the Congress of Byzantine Studies that is organized in 2009 by the City of Athens.
The 2nd City of Athens Congress "Greece in the world: Byzantine Studies" does not substitute neither supplements the International Byzantine Studies Congresses that are organized by specialized scientists (Byzantinologues) in the framework of their Scientific Branch. From this aspect the objective of the City of Athens congresses is not to announce new scientific discoveries.
The City of Athens Byzantine Studies Congress has the objective of recording the condition of science today, its course, the problems - epistemological and in the wider sense political - that emerge, and it seeks solutions and actions that are considered essential by the specialized scientists for the improvement of this particular sector of studies throughout the world. Consequently the congress is scientific because the discussion takes place between the specialists and its structure and thematic configuration has resulted from the fermentation between the members of the Scientific and Organizing Committee.
The congress will examine issues concerning the physiognomy of Byzantine science, the tendencies of research, Byzantine Studies as a means of education and the ways in which this cultural benefit deserves to be supported and carefully passed on to universities throughout the world.
The congress also aims at facilitating the communication and dialogue between the research Centres and the specialized scientists with the Greek State regarding the objectives and actions that would improve Byzantine Studies throughout the world. The State is present via the main individual who had the inspiration for this Cycle of Congresses, Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis, and through the institution that made all this possible, the City of Athens Cultural Organization, but also by means of representatives of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Culture and Education in the Organizing Committee.
