GCM Youth and Engagement Committee Meets with New NUGAS Committee

On Monday 25 August, the Greek Community of Melbourne’s (GCM) Youth and Engagement Committee met with the newly elected committee of NUGAS and agreed to the formation of a youth subcommittee, with the aim of expanding its membership following the Youth Forum that happened last Wednesday.

Focusing on how to encourage greater youth participation within the broader Greek community, the
meeting discussed NUGAS’ upcoming plans for their term and how the GCM could help bring these
ideas to life.

The meeting was convened by Chair of the GCM Youth and Engagement Committee, high school
teacher and former NUGAS president, Tass Sgardelis. “It was a really positive meeting full of
ambition and drive to rethink and re-energise how youth engage with Greek culture, building on the
resurgence of community youth groups and the establishment of the GCM’s youth and community
outreach sub-committee,” he said.

Alongside Tass, were GCM Board Members Dora Papamakarios, Stella Moschos and President, Bill
Papastergiadis OAM. For Bill, these types of meetings with NUGAS have remained an important part
of his Presidency. Bill stated, “We are excited to continue to work with NUGAS on joint initiatives.

However, we want to take this relationship further and formalise it thorough a dedicated
subcommittee that will be charged with a number of responsibilities. First and foremost, the aim is
that this committee taps into the knowledge and interests of our youth such that our events and
functions resonate with them. Secondly, to create a body that is relevant and contactable to our
young members of our community. Finally, to foster an environment that allows mentorship such
that our next leaders emerge through this committee.”

Panos Stamatopoulos, Secretary of NUGAS commented “We emphasised to the youth committee
the lack of broader community support for our initiatives. As a result, both organisations discussed
working together on future events.” He further spoke on the importance of the subcommittee,
stating that along with exploring “coordinating events, supporting university clubs, and improving
educational pathways. This [subcommittee] will also help capable members of our team become
part of GCM structures and continue to lead within the Greek community even after graduating
from university.”

Although this was the first formal meeting between the two committees, collaborations between
NUGAS and the GCM are already underway. In fact, they’ve already kicked off their first joint
initiative: a youth forum that tool place on Wednesday, 27 August at The Greek Centre.

“Together with Wednesday’s youth forum and survey, the GCM is engaging in a meaningful process
of listening to what the next generations are saying to help bridge gaps, develop pathways,
programs and initiatives that cater to their needs,” Tass said.

Survey

In addition to Wednesday’s Youth Forum, the GCM and NUGAS have issued an online survey for
young people aged 16 to 25.
Share your thoughts, tell us what’s working, what isn’t, and what you’d love to see more of in our
community. This is an open and inclusive space to speak up, be heard, and shape the future of youth
engagement in the Greek community.

Take the 5-minute survey here: https://wkf.ms/3VmvlyU