News
Monday 28 July 2025
| A Public Lecture on “A Critical Look at Indigenization of Canadian Universities” Sponsored & hosted by theAthens Institute (www.atiner.gr), 5th Flloor, 9 Chalkokondili Street, Plateia Kannigos |
| Speaker: Jim Clark, Professor, University of Winnipeg, Canada. |
| Moderator: Gregory T. Papanikos, President of the Athens Institute. |
| A Public Lecture titled “A Critical Look at Indigenization of Canadian Universities” was held on Monday, 28 July 2025, from 14:00 to 15:00. The session was moderated by Gregory T. Papanikos, President of the Athens Institute, and sponsored by the Canadian University Alumni in Greece. The lecture was delivered by Dr. Jim Clark, Head of the Psychology Unit at the Athens Institute and Professor at the University of Winnipeg, Canada. His presentation offered a thought-provoking and critical examination of how Canadian universities are integrating Indigenous perspectives and practices. Prof. Clark addressed both the intent and impact of these initiatives, highlighting tensions between Indigenization efforts and traditional academic principles such as rational inquiry and scientific evidence. While the focus was on Canadian institutions, the discussion emphasized that similar debates are unfolding in academic settings around the world. Following the main presentation, short interventions were made by: –Domenico Maddaloni, Head of the Sociology Unit, Athens Institute & Professor, University of Salerno, Italy. –Ayla Ogus Binatli, Professor, Izmir University of Economics, Türkiye. –Daphne Vidanec, Tenured Professor, University of Applied Sciences Baltazar Zaprešić, Croatia. –Nkosingiphile Zungu, Lecturer, University of Zululand, South Africa. –Samira Yaghouti, Doctoral Researcher, Finland Futures Research Centre, University of Turku, Finland. These contributions enriched the discussion by offering international perspectives on cultural integration, academic values, and the evolving role of universities in diverse social contexts. |
Thursday 17 June 2025
Dr. Jim Clark (Professor, University of Winnipeg, Canada) will deliver a public lecture titled “A Critical Look at Indigenization of Canadian Universities” on Monday, 28 July 2025, from 2:30 to 3:30 PM. The event will take place on the 5th Floor, 9 Chalkokondili Street, Plateia Kannigos, Athens.
Thursday 12 June 2025
The Canadian Universities Alumni in Greece in collaboration with the Athens Institute, hosted a public lecture on “Oedipus Rex and Canadian Crime and Punishment “, delivered by Ms. Eliza Gardiner (Deputy Head, Arts & Culture Unit, Athens Institute & Professor, Vancouver Island University, Canada). The event took place on Monday, 9 June 2025, from 14:00 to 14:45 at the Institute’s Downtown Office, located at 9 Chalkokondili Street in Athens. The event explored the role of narrative in shaping our understanding of complex global issues such as economic systems and the climate emergency. (more details)
Thursday 5 June 2025
Dr. André Lecours (Professor, University of Ottawa, Canada) will deliver a public lecture titled “Trump and Canada: Tariffs, the 2025 Federal Election, and Beyond” on Monday, 16 June 2025, from 2:15 to 3:00 PM. The event will take place on the 5th Floor, 9 Chalkokondili Street, Plateia Kannigos, Athens. (more details)
Friday 30 May 2025
Canadian Prime Minister and Parliament Speaker Invoke Ancient Greece to Reject U.S. Annexation Proposal:
During his inaugural address to Parliament, newly elected Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia invoked a powerful classical metaphor, likening Canada to ancient Athens-a nation defined by its democratic principles, cultural depth, and philosophical legacy. He contrasted this with the image of the United States as modern-day Rome, marked by power and dominance. This framing positioned Canada as a thoughtful, values-driven society in a turbulent global landscape.
Watch the video: https://youtu.be/EDZswb9szBs?si=sXFipLrvnuZ8SKnL&t=254
Prime Minister Mark Carney later echoed and reinforced this comparison in his own speech, embracing the Athens-Rome symbolism to firmly reject the idea of U.S. annexation and to reaffirm Canada’s independent identity on the world stage.
Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvVtrR_HYGo
Monday 26 May 2025
The Canadian Universities Alumni in Greece in collaboration with the Athens Institute, hosted a public lecture on “Telling Stories About the Economy and Climate Crisis“, delivered by Dr. Jennifer Ellen Good (Chair and Associate Professor, Brock University, Canada). The event took place on Monday, 26 May 2025, from 16:30 to 17:30 at the Institute’s Downtown Office, located at 9 Chalkokondili Street in Athens. The event explored the role of narrative in shaping our understanding of complex global issues such as economic systems and the climate emergency. (more details)
Monday 19 May 2025
The Canadian Universities Alumni in Greece in collaboration with the Athens Institute successfully organized a Symposium on Canadian Education at a Crossroads: Responding to Global Trends, on Monday 19 May 2025, at the Athens Institute’s Downtown Office (more details)
Monday 12 May 2025
The Canadian Universities Alumni in Greece in collaboration with the Athens Institute, hosted a public lecture on “The Affective Politics of the ‘Freedom Convoy’: Conspiracy, Nostalgia, and Masculinity“, delivered by Dr. Zeinab Farokhi, Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto Mississauga. The event took place on Monday, 12 May 2025, from 12:30 to 13:30 at the Institute’s Downtown Office, located at 9 Chalkokondili Street in Athens. The presentation explored the emotional and political dimensions of the Freedom Convoy movement in Canada, with a focus on themes of conspiracy, national identity, and gender. (more details)