So This Is Christmas – An Evening of Music Full of Holiday Spirit
So This Is Christmas - An Evening of Music Full of Holiday… | Read more
Pillars of Democracy Town Hall: The example of Zohran Mamdani
Pillars of Democracy Town Hall: The example of Zohran Mamdani | Read more
“In this great, imperfect, but necessary system of self-government, power and progress will always come from the demos — from ‘We, the people.’
— Barack Obama
The Demos Center at Deree – The American College of Greece offers a vibrant program that aims to engage students and staff at ACG and citizens of and visitors to Athens. It seeks to engage students, scholars, citizens, and visitors to Athens in understanding global challenges to democracy, with the goal of fostering innovation and critical thinking, in order to inspire them to create – through education, collaboration, and action – a more sustainable and equitable world.
Director: Dr. Mary Cardaras
Philosophy & Goals
The mission of The Demos Center is to strengthen democracy by fostering active citizenship, through research, education, and promoting civic engagement and participation by acting and making a real-world impact on college campuses, in municipalities, and in countries around the world. Our partners and our programming reflect these values.
We fulfill our mission by bringing people and organizations together to create:
- community through dialogue
- study abroad opportunities centered on democracy and civil responsibilities
- research opportunities
- faculty and student exchange opportunities
- research and funding partnerships
In addition, we host:
- seminars
- workshops
- symposia
- faculty and student fellowships
- lectures, art exhibitions, musical performances
This is the Demos Center:
“Human connection is at the heart of our lives and societies. Being part of an inclusive community – where we engage with diverse perspectives – shapes not just who we are as individuals, but also how we see the world. It influences our values, beliefs, and even political opinions. When nurtured in a democratic space, these connections help build a more inclusive world.
Democracy isn’t just about laws and politics – it thrives on participation, discussion, and mutual respect. Third places provide platforms for open dialogue – whether through storytelling, debate nights, or informal meetups. They create spaces where diverse voices can be heard – for example, a refugee sharing their experience, an activist discussing their work, or a retiree talking about life transitions. These conversations promote critical thinking and empathy, leading to greater common understanding.” (Josefine Sandwall)
Special Projects
The Third Space Project
The Third Space Project: an immersive, interdisciplinary initiative that uses art, education, and civic dialogue to spark youth engagement with democratic life. Anchored by ACG’s Demos Center and Frances Rich School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, the project uses as a catalyst its new urban gallery space at the Demos Center —The Third Space Urban Art Gallery—as a launchpad for civic imagination and action.
Exhibitions:
Pause, Fragment, Fold — winter 2025-2026
Material Witnesses — summer 2025
Mama Klorin — winter 2024-2025
Celebrating Democracy Through the Arts
Programs for winter 2025 included:
- Two polyphonic singing groups
- ACG Community Choir performance & lecture
- Concert with two cellos – “Music as a Democratic Process”
“The function of the artist in a disturbed society is to give awareness of the universe, to ask the right questions, and to elevate the mind.”
— Marina Abramovic
“The ancient theater was a tool for democracy. It was a civic endeavor, which also became an artistic endeavor.”
— Marianna Calbari
Voices of Democracy
“A free society cannot exist without an informed public.”
— Noam Chomsky
“Ignorance is the handmaiden of tyranny.
Those who believe in democracy, on the other hand, have been at the forefront of the movement for free, universal public education and for public libraries, museums, and the arts.
They understand that democracy depends on people knowing what’s occurring around them and having the capacity to deliberate critically about it.”
— Professor Robert Reich, University of California, Berkeley
The world faces an unprecedented convergence of crises—political extremism, economic inequality, misinformation, climate change, and forced displacement.
Voices of Democracy is a groundbreaking interview-based video series that bridges the gap between policymakers, civil society, and affected individuals.
More than a media project, it challenges the cycle of exclusion that allows misinformation and fear to dictate policy. By amplifying underrepresented perspectives, it ensures that real people—not just political rhetoric—shape discussions on democracy, governance, and human rights.
Led by UN award-winning Multimedia producer, Fridoon Joinda, the series draws on his firsthand experience of displacement from Kabul to Greece and his years of media advocacy.
The first year will feature 15–20 in-depth episodes, released biweekly for sustained engagement and real-time relevance.
Education Unites Scholarship Program for Refugees / Focus: Human Rights
“Human rights – the language of democracy”
Anne Applebaum
The American College of Greece (ACG) is committed to providing educational opportunities to refugees. The Education Unites scholarship program was launched in 2017 with the support of the U.S. Embassy in Athens in response to the influx of refugees into Greece. Since then, ACG has supported students annually through institutional funding and the generosity of donors, covering tuition, meals, and housing. To date, more than 250 students have benefited from Education Unites.
Students in the program come from a wide range of countries, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Jordan, Syria, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Armenia, and Kurdistan. In spring 2022, ACG expanded the program to offer full-tuition scholarships to Ukrainian students displaced by the Russian invasion. Currently, 44 students are enrolled, and all scholarships are awarded for the full duration of their studies at Deree.
The Education Unites program has deepened its commitment over the years. Our work with vulnerable young people has led to a deeper understanding of their needs. When the program began, only 1–3% of young refugees globally had access to higher education, according to UNHCR. As of 2024, that figure has risen to 7%. UNHCR aims to reach 15% by 2030—and we at Education Unites are determined to contribute to that goal.
The personal transformation of these students is profound. All have expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity and the hope it has given them. Their stories reflect a powerful desire to succeed, give back, and build a better world—especially for young people who face the kinds of hardships they’ve endured.
A final goal of Education Unites is to educate host communities. We hope this program helps shift public perception—to recognize the immense talent, resilience, and potential within refugee populations. These students are not just laborers for hotels, kitchens, and construction sites; they are the future’s doctors, professors, engineers, artists, scientists, entrepreneurs, and human rights advocates.
Kali Polis Internship Program for Students
“The one thing we need more than hope is action. Once we start to act, hope is everywhere.”
— Greta Thunberg
The Kali Polis Project is an urban studio semester internship program for Greek undergraduate and graduate students hosted at The Demos Center of The American College of Greece.
Supported by the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM), the project provides innovative local solutions to global climate challenges through a city–campus collaboration to co-design and execute urban projects.
Each semester, a small group of students will be hosted at The Demos Center and receive internship academic credits to participate in this innovative urban studio program.
The first two participating municipalities are Kifisia and Elliniko-Argyroupoli—both GCoM signatory cities in the greater Athens region facing increasing climate challenges such as extreme heat, wildfires, and flooding.
Our student interns will work directly with local municipalities on projects which provide young thinkers the opportunity to help complete projects which will make a direct impact on the lives of citizens. We hope to attract more municipalities and more students who have both interest and ideas in several areas, including urban planning, sustainability, public relations, and marketing.
| 9 December – 31 January | Pause, Fragment, Fold Collaborative Workshop & Exhibition featuring students from Frances Rich School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, ACG; Department of Fine Arts and Sciences, University of Ioannina; Winchester School of Art, University of Southampton |
| 11 December | Pillars of Democracy Town Hall: the Example of Zohran Mamdani Co-sponsored by Protovoulia Neon; Panelists: Elena Papadimitriou, Antonis Galanopoulos, Petros Ioannidis, Nikos Vasiliopoulos. Moderator: Kostis Katsanevas |
| 5 December | Panel 2: From Environmental Education to Civic Service Models Organized by Ecogenia; Moderator: Nikos Therapos |
| 14 November | Bridging Revolutions (celebrating the two histories, revolutions, and relationship between Greece and the US) Moderator: Ilias Katsos; Co-sponsor: EMBCA (Eastern Mediterranean Business Culture Alliance) |
| 11 November | Rethinking Contemporary Performance Art: A Master Class by Despina Zacharopoulou Lecture, practical workshop, Q & A session |
| 1 November | Cello Recital Cellists: Leslie Jones-Michail, Nora Karakousoglou, Asterios Pouftis |
| 31 October | The Kali Polis Project, an urban studio internship program Created by Demos Center, supported by Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy |
| 22 October | Democracy for a Sustainable World – The Path from the Pnyx Book discussion by Professor & former US Congressman James Bacchus |
| 10-18 October | Retrospective Event: 10 Years of ACG Graphic Design Exhibition, lectures, workshops |
| 17 October | Reclaim The Dialogue, by Protovoulia Neon Workshop: from the agora to today’s neighborhoods, youth reimagine public space, in an open “agora of ideas” on democracy, art, Gen Z Workshops, panel discussions, interventions, talks |
| 7 October | Reimagining Greece |
| 16 September | The Greek Summer: Mythology, History, Future Bodassaki Lecture |
| 10-11 July | Erasmus Foundation Workshop: empowering young people to enact change to protect, sustain, and grow vulnerable democracies around the world |
| 18 June | Screening of Short Films Refugee Week Greece |
| 6 June – 12 July | Third Space Urban Art Gallery Opening: Material Witness Artists: Afsoon, Nuveen Barwari, Tancredi di Carcaci, Paolo Colombo, Lydia Delikoura, Hale Ekinci, Majd Abdel Hamid, Iliodora Margellos, Francesco Simeti, Elif Uras |
| 28 May | Youthmakers Hub: The World in 2025: Voices of Democracy Roundtable Moderator: Katerina Bakoyianni, head of podcasts at Alter Ego Media Speakers: Brady Keisling (former US diplomat), Nikos Konstandaras (Kathimerini journalist), Effie Fokas (professor of International Relations ACG), Gelly Aroni (head of Integration Unit, Ministry of Migration & Asylum) |
| 12 April | Network for Children’s Rights Discussion: Sex Education for Children: for parents, teachers, youth workers |
| 11 April | Debate House Discussion: Should there be a limit on artistic expression? |
| 7 April | Youthmakers Hub Green Perspectives: Uniting Voice for a Sustainable Future Sustainability in Data and Digital Presence: green tech innovations, digital responsibility, role of AI in fostering sustainable solutions; the power of civic engagement in creating lasting societal change innovations |
| 5 April | Annual Meeting: presidents and provosts from American colleges around the world Dr. David Horner, president of ACG; Dr. Edward Wingenbach, president-elect of ACG |
| 15 February | Debate House Woke Culture – Is it Progress? |
| 13 February | Creative Music Workshop: Πηγή Concert Integration through Creative Arts (sponsored by Refugee Week, We Are Community) Musician: Asterios Poufris |
| 4 February | Youth Initiative Greece: Advocacy & Engagement among Young Greeks Youth engagement event with former Canadian Senator Ratna Omidvar – for public and private college/university students Moderator: Kostis Katsanevas |
| 10 January | Youthmaker’s Hub first meeting of the year and workshop |
| 4 December | Demos & Columbia University’s Athens Global Center Panel discussion about new EU migration relations |
| 25, 26, 27 November | Demos sponsors discussion with private and public university students Topic: housing crisis in Athens |
| 29 October | Youth Initiative Greece with Thanos Davelis (of the Greek Current) Discussion: the US election |
| 18 October | Mobilization of Young People for Climate Action US Embassy, Ecogenia |
| 17 October | Debate: US Election Debate House |
| 16 October | Workshop: Youth Engagement Ecogenia, with Demos & US Embassy |
| 26 September | Eastern Mediterranean Business & Culture Alliance Panel discussion: Hellenic-Japanese Relations: from Lafcadio Hearn to the Tokei Maru EMBCA Humanitarian Award for the courage of the Japanese frigate, its captain and crew for rescuing Greeks and Armenians from the burning of Smyrna in 1922 |
| 5 February | Muhabbet: East Mediterranean Conversations Writing the City: Politiki Literature of Istanbul Petros Markaris & Iraklis Millas |
| 5 March | Greek Revolution in Ottoman History |
| 6 May | On Culinary Cultures & Diasporic Identities Alexander Kitroeff & Ilay Romain Ors |
Celebrating Democracy through the Arts
| 16 November 2024 – 31 January 2025 | Mama Klorin: A Project by Doreida Xhogu Exhibition |
| 31 January | Lecture: Topics: Working Conditions, Uninsured Labor, Political Disenfranchisement, Sacrifices to Create Better Opportunities for their Children Speakers: Doreida Xhogo & other women cleaners in Athens Moderators: Pati Vardhami & Ioanna Papapavlou |
| 18 & 25 January | Guided tours of the Mama Klorin exhibition Led by Doreida Xhogu & Pati Vardhami Tour in Albanian: 18 January Tour in English: 25 January |
| 11 January | Workshop: The kitchen towel Transforming a personal diary into a shared creative process, inviting participants to share stories of everyday life, work, migration, and resilience |
Concerts
| 18 January | Two Polyphonic Singing Groups (Albanian & Greek) |
| 20 January | ACG Community Choir performance & lecture: The Civic Symphony: The Power of Music in Shaping Society Moderator & Choir Director: Professor Effi Minakoulis |
| 24 January | ACG Concert: Democracy & Creating Borders through Art Lecture: Hierarchies in Music Speakers & Performers: Dr. Nora Karakousoglou & Leslie Jones (ACG) |
Lectures & Presentations
| 16 January | Openness in Art: On the Democratic Distribution of Authorship Speaker: Dr. Christos Asomatos, ACG, art historian & researcher |
| 24 January | Music and Hierarchy: Music as a Democratic Process Cellists: Nora Karakousoglou & Professor Leslie Jones (ACG) |
| Performing Borders & Democracy Do democratic societies hinder and/or facilitate the continuous creation of borders? In what ways? To what extent? Katerina Nikolopoulou, ACG theater director and faculty | |
| 30 January | Don’t Look – Hybrid Project Questions discussed: how did our world start after covid? How does our existence through art reflect the global? Traumatic experience of isolation?Moderator: Ioanna Papapavlou (art curator, ACG) Panel participants: Katia Savrimi & Despina Georgekopoulou (University of Patras, Thomas Economakos, Effie Halivopoulou, Tim Ward, Nikos Falagas |
| 31 January | ACG lecture & final event: Democracy and Creating Borders Through Art Final event & closing reception for program: Democracy Through the Arts |
| 5 December | Eleftherios Venizelos Chair Lecture for 2024-2025 Cultural Dualism and its Value Systems: the democratic tradition in Greece, in historical perspective Speaker: P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, Emeritus Professor of Political Science at the University of Athens, member of the Academy of Athens |
| 22 February | Focus: Human Rights Creating a Climate for Vibrant Democracy History of Human Rights; Discussion of Universal Declaration of Human Rights Matilda Zhataipanagiotou & Leda Panatiota-Alept |
| 21 March | Celebration of the Life of the Greek International Statesman Ioannis Kapodistrias |
| 28 March | Focus: Human Rights LGBTQ rights are Human Rights Fridoon Joinda – screening of films Gregory Valiantos – discussion |
| 29 March | Citizenship & Civic Engagement Day |
| 30 March | Ecogenia & Demos strategic meeting with Ecogenia alumni |
| 6 April | Focus: Human Rights Children’s Human Rights Festival Anna Mertzani |
| 15-18 May | 3rd Energy Academy CoESTL & GEF Academy Workshop: Energy Transition for Future Leaders |
| 27 May | Adoption in Greece: A Cold War Wound Film Screening & Presentation |
| 28 May | King’s College Meets the Demos Center |
These partners have contributed to our success in our first two years. They have supported us and they have inspired us. The Demos Center would not be what it is today without all these wonderful organizations that comprise the fabric of civil society, that help it grow and flourish.
We are very grateful and look forward to what the next few years will bring.
- The Francis Rich School of Fine and Performing Arts
- The Institute for Hellenic Culture and the Liberal Arts
- The Center for Excellence in Sustainability
- Youthmakers Hub
- Refugee Week Greece
- The Michael and Kitty Dukakis Center for Public and Humanitarian Service at ACT
- The Greek Current
- Ecogenia
- Network for Children’s Rights
- King’s College London
- The Global Covenant of Mayors
- Athens Democracy and Culture Foundation
- Global Liberal Arts Alliance
- Debate House
- Protovoulia Neon
Location & Contact
The Demos Center operates from both its Plaka building at 17 Ipitou Str. in Plaka, the heart of Athens, and from the campus of The American College of Greece, 6 Gravias Str. in Aghia Paraskevi.
Contact: Dr. Mary Cardaras @ [email protected]
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