PADEE - WHIA

20/10/2026

We are proud to highlight the participation of our Board Member, Annie Koutrakis, Member of the Canadian Parliament, in the 5th Delphi Economic Forum Toronto, where she joined the panel discussion on “The Evolution of the Strategic Partnership Between Canada and the European Union.”
The Delphi Economic Forum Toronto serves as an important platform for dialogue among policymakers, business leaders, and key stakeholders, fostering stronger economic ties between Canada and Greece.
As Canada and the European Union continue to deepen their strategic partnership, initiatives like this forum play a vital role in promoting collaboration, expanding investment opportunities, and driving sustainable economic growth. 🇬🇷🇨🇦

26/09/2026

Our President State Senator Leonidas Lou Raptakis met with President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides at the Federation of Cypriot American Organizations Annual Testimonial Dinner on Friday, September 25, 2026.

During his visit to New York, President Christodoulides reaffirmed his commitment to the reunification of Cyprus and the resumption of negotiations within the UN-agreed framework, stressing that division cannot be accepted and that a solution requires political will from all sides.

25/09/2026

Our 2nd Vice President Steve Georganas MP, Member of the Australian Federal parliament for Adelaide, met with the Greek Consul General in South Australia, Hon Alexandra Theodoropoulou, at the new office premises of the Consul General of Greece.
They discussed the importance of the Consulate’s work and the services it provides, not only to Greek Australians but also in promoting education and culture, strengthening ties between Greece and Australia, and assisting Greek Australians with administrative, property, inheritance and other matters they may face in Greece.

22/09/2026

A new chapter in New Hampshire–Greece relations: legislation establishing the New Hampshire–Greece Trade Council was ceremonially signed during the 47th annual Glendi Festival at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Manchester.

The legislation was sponsored by New Hampshire State Senator Denise Ricciardi and co-sponsored by New Hampshire State Representative Efstathia Booras.

The new Council aims to strengthen trade, investment, business and academic ties between New Hampshire and Greece. PADEE-WHIA President and Rhode Island State Senator Leonidas “Lou” Raptakis also attended the ceremonial signing.

MANCHESTER, NH – New Hampshire and members of the state’s Greek-American community gathered on September 18 at the 47th annual Glendi Festival at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral to celebrate the establishment of the New Hampshire-Greece Trade Council, a new initiative designed to strengthen ...

21/09/2026

Our First Vice President Effie Triantafilopoulos along with Federal Members of Parliament Annie Koutrakis, Costas Menegakis and Ontario MPP Aris Babikian attended the Enthronement of His Eminence Archbishop Apostolos of Canada at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Toronto.

The historic occasion brought together hierarchs and clergy, government representatives, community leaders and members of the Greek Canadian community from across Canada to welcome the new Archbishop and mark the beginning of a new chapter for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada.

PADEE-WHIA extends its warmest congratulations to His Eminence Archbishop Apostolos and wishes him wisdom, strength and God’s blessings as he begins his ministry as Archbishop of Canada.

AXIOS!

21/09/2026

The Greek-Canadian Members of Provicial Parliament of Ontario Effie Triantafilopoulos and Aris Babikian joined Ontario Premier Doug Ford for a bilateral meeting with representatives of the governments of Greece and Ontario, held during the visit to Toronto for the Enthronement of His Eminence Archbishop Apostolos of Canada.

The meeting included Greece’s Minister of Foreign Affairs George Gerapetritis, Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports Sofia Zacharaki, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexandra Papadopoulou, Ambassador Ekaterina Dimakis, and representatives of the Embassy and Consulate of Greece.

The discussion focused on the strong ties between Greece and Ontario and on opportunities to further strengthen cooperation and relations between the two sides.

11/09/2026

Efstathia Booras State Representative with Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander and. Congressman Chris Pappas, friends and colleagues of Greek Descent in New Hampshire.

11/09/2026

Our President, Rhode Island State Senator Leonidas Raptakis, attending Congressman Chris Pappas’ fundraiser, hosted by Alice Kokodis in Wellesley, Massachusetts.

05/09/2026

PADEE–WHIA Mourns the Passing of Former President Peter Katsambanis 🖤

The Board of Directors and members of PADEE–WHIA are deeply saddened by the passing of Peter Katsambanis, former President of our organization and a respected public servant whose parliamentary career spanned two Australian states and more than 14 years.

Peter served in the Victorian Legislative Council from 1996 to 2002, representing Monash Province. After moving to Western Australia, he was elected to the Western Australian Legislative Council in 2013, representing the North Metropolitan Region, and subsequently to the Western Australian Legislative Assembly, where he represented Hillarys from 2017 to 2021. During his years in the Western Australian Parliament, he also served as Manager of Opposition Business and held Shadow Minister portfolios including Police, Justice, Road Safety and Industrial Relations.

Alongside his parliamentary service, Peter maintained a deep commitment to his Hellenic heritage and to the worldwide Greek Diaspora. That commitment was reflected in his many years of service to PADEE–WHIA, first as Treasurer from 2013 to 2016 and later as President from 2016 to 2021.

As President, Peter brought his extensive parliamentary experience and international perspective to PADEE–WHIA and contributed significantly to the organization’s mission of connecting elected representatives of Hellenic descent around the world and strengthening their ties with Greece and Cyprus.

Peter will be remembered by the PADEE–WHIA family not only for his years of leadership and public service, but also for his dedication, friendship and enduring commitment to Hellenism.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and all members of PADEE–WHIA, we extend our deepest condolences to his wife, family, friends and colleagues. We honour his memory with gratitude and respect, and his contribution to our organization will not be forgotten.

May his memory be eternal.

22/08/2026

Our Vice President Steve Georganas MP and our alternate Board member Michael McCormack MP attended the ceremony to mark the handover of the artwork “The Eternal Weave” by Greek visual artist Caroline Rovithi to the Australian Parliament.
Present were also the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Milton Dick MP and the Ambassador of Greece to Australia, Mr. Stavros Venizelos.