George J. Tsunis speaks with international relations students at Webster University in Athens as part of the forum’s keynote address.
Webster Athens was proud to host U.S. Ambassador to Athens, George J. Tsunis, as part of this year’s 2024 Ambassadors Sociopolitical Forum. Tsunis delivered the keynote address at the event, which was held at the Webster University Cultural Center on the Athens campus on March 21. He highlighted the strong ties between the United States and Greece and engaged with a diverse body of students from around the world.
“I had a wonderful time speaking with a diverse group of international students at the Webster Athens Ambassador Forum,” Tsunis said via a statement on social media. “Congratulations to Webster Athens for pioneering U.S.-Greece educational collaboration, attracting U.S. students to Greece since 2016.”
“It was a true honor to welcome HE US Ambassador George Tsunis to deliver the opening remarks and participate in this year’s Ambassadors Forum. The enthusiasm and feedback from our students highlighted the value and importance of his lecture,” said Vasilis J. Botopoulos, rector of Webster University Athens.
Vasilis J. Botopoulos (left) pictured with George J. Tsunis (right) outside Webster University in Athens.
The US Embassy in Athens also released a statement regarding Tsunis’ participation in the Forum.
“Students’ enthusiasm for international relations highlighted the strong educational ties between the United States and Greece, highlighting the diverse perspectives of global leadership. What a vibrant exchange of ideas on diplomacy! We thank the Webster Athens community for this enriching experience, reaffirming our commitment to strengthening international relations and dialogue,” said the U.S. Embassy in Athens.
International relations students pose for a photo with George J. Tsunis.
Tsunis is the son of Greek-American immigrants to the United States, with deep roots in the village of Platanos in the mountainous region of Nafpaktia. Growing up, his parents instilled in him the Hellenic ideals of καλοσύνη (kindness), αγάπη (love), and especially φιλότιμο (love of honor). He learned Greek as his mother tongue. Deeply involved with the Greek-American community, Ambassador Tsunis was a founding director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council and is, among other things, a director of the Hellenic Initiative.
The Ambassadors’ Forum, an annual event organized by Webster Athens’ International Relations Department, features a series of lectures delivered by ambassadors and state officials. Forum 2024 began on March 21 and will end on April 25. The forum provides students with a conceptual understanding of diplomacy and international relations, analyzes factors leading to significant global developments and deepens their knowledge of various contemporary and vital areas of study. It mainly consists of conferences from ambassadors on topics such as their country’s foreign policy, international organizations (United Nations, European Union and NATO), international cooperation, international security and bilateral or multilateral issues.
