On 23 January 2025, UC Berkeley welcomed George A. Papandreou, former Prime Minister of Greece and current General Rapporteur on Democracy for the Council of Europe, for a special talk on Global Threats to Democracy. Mr. Papandreou’s talk at UC Berkeley’s Alumni House was part of a broader tour of California in tribute to his father, Andreas Papandreou, former Chair of the Department of Economics at UC Berkeley and Prime Minister of Greece. As a scholar and statesman, Andreas Papandreou had strong interests in democracy, development and conflict resolution in the Eastern Mediterranean region and the world.
George Papandreou shared his experiences leading Greece through the sovereign debt crisis of 2008 and promoting structural reforms to modernize the country while preventing bankruptcy. He also highlighted his lifelong commitment to democracy and sustainability – as evidenced by his deployment of ‘Green Diplomacy,’ calling for the protection of the environment by placing sustainable development at the epicenter of policy-making and multilateral cooperation.
The event was moderated by Christine Philliou, Chair of the Department of Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures, Professor of History and Director of the Modern Greek Studies Program. Director Philliou stated:
"It was an honor hosting George Papandreou at UC Berkeley. As the former Prime Minister of Greece and current Rapporteur at the Council of Europe, Papandreou has remarkable insights and experience [on] what it takes for societies to sustain democracy and human rights in the midst of economic upheaval as well direct experience in Greek-Turkish relations promoting peaceful cooperation between Europe and the Middle East. Papandreou praised Berkeley’s intellectual orientation to modern Greek studies which leverages top research and pedagogy in languages and area studies for broader regional and global insights into the study of democracy, development and conflict."
The Panel also featured a distinguished lineup of scholars including Susan Hyde, Professor of Political Science, Avice M. Saint Chair in Public Policy and Co-Director of the Institute for International Studies at UC Berkeley, Maurice Obstfeld, Senior Fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics and Professor Emeritus of Economics at UC Berkeley, and Dr. Markos Kounalakis, Visiting Fellow, Hoover Institution. Dignitaries in attendance included General Consul of Greece Mr. Girgorios Tassiopoulos; Dr. Katerina Lagos, Professor of History and Director, Hellenic Studies Program, California State University, Sacramento; Mr. Stan S. Draenos, UC Berkeley ‘67 Political Science; and Eleni Kounalakis, Lieutenant Governor of California. Campus leaders present to welcome former Prime Minister also included Chancellor Lyons and IES Director Mia Fuller.