The International "Athens Summit '98" was held from 11th to 13th September. organised by the Rector's Office of the Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, held under the aegis of the European Parliament, and with the support of the newspapers "International Herald Tribune" and "Kathimerini" (English-language edition), the Summit had as its subject "Peace and Development". The official opening ceremony took place at the Pnyx on 11th September: the proceedings of the Summit were held at the Asteras Hotel in Vouliagmeni on 12th and 13th September.
As one of the Summit's sponsors, the Foundation of the Hellenic World had its own imposing stand in the conference area. One feature for which there was particular enthusiasm was the Foundation's Cultural Centre corner, with the "Internet Cafe" table and photographs of the "Hellenic Cosmos".
The Foundation's presentation of the work it is doing drew the most favourable comments from those taking part in "Athens Summit '98" as well as from other visitors. Typical were the closing remarks of a letter of thanks to the President of FHW from the organiser of the conference, Mrs Maria Frezadou: "It was thanks to your support as well that the conference achieved its goal of meeting the great challenges facing the emerging new society, and that it succeeded in putting those who bear responsibility in politics, economics and the intellectual world in touch with one another. We have every hope that you will again be at our side for the Athens Summit '99".
There was much interest in the Foundation's multimedia Internet presentations, especially in the 3D digital photorealistic reconstructions of ancient monuments and the VRML representations such as the one of the Ancient Theatre at the Asklepieion of Epidaurus. Visitors were able to have a 'walkthrough' in the site while listening to actors reciting classical tragedy. Other impressive exhibits were the Foundation's new presentations: 'Archaic Period: Society and Economy'; 'Classical Period: Society'; 'Ottoman Period: People, Commerce & Taxation' and 'Byzantine Kastoria through its monuments: 10th-14th century'.
As in previous years, FHW's Genealogy Project produced a favourable response. The purpose of this project is to assemble the family trees of Greek families from Asia Minor and to place them on record, thus ensuring that the Greeks of Asia Minor will be securely remembered.
There was also quite a crowd of people around the screen where the Foundation's first CD-ROM - The Magical Walk of Curious Julius at Delphi - was being shown. Here is a CD-ROM to be enjoyed as well as to educate!
And, for the first time, the Foundation's stand had items from the Cultural Centre shop on sale. These too attracted much public attention.
