The AHEPAN - Winter 2016 - 17


around the world to build up
the organization, they have
gained invaluable experience on working together
with people that share common
values and want to see their
country, and its youth, flourish again.
They agree it is a definite work in
progress, and they are only at the beginning.
However, it certainly has been a rewarding experience thus
far. A journey of mutual thirst to contribute to Greece, as they
describe it.
Nikolaos and Orestis are professionals who first studied in
Greece and then moved abroad to study and eventually work.
Albeit they are currently settled abroad, they explained that
the daily struggles expatriates face was also one of the motivating factors to create Brain Gain.
"Several Greeks are deeply concerned about what is currently happening in the country," Nikolaos explained. "This
struggle relates to our generation, but also the one of our
parents, and the one of our future kids. My family experiences
uncertainty in Greece daily. The social strata have been deeply
pressurized due to austerity measures, and citizens turn their
focus away from politics. It is our duty to suggest best practices
to reform our country and fight for our generation."
When asked about his current struggles, Orestis is pretty
straightforward: "All Greeks that have left the country during
the crisis in search for a better future are deeply concerned
about the situation in Greece. I feel the same. However, having witnessed the enthusiasm with which Greeks around
the world have been receiving our initiative, I have become

Dr. Nikolaos Theodorakos

www.ahepa.org

more optimistic. There is a massive group of intelligent,
highly-skilled Greeks abroad that love their country and are
prepared to help it grow and overcome the crisis. The future
can only be bright if all these people join forces with the local
population to help tackle the existing problems."
What is their vision for Brain Gain? They both explained
their desire to see the network grow to such an extent that it
becomes the primary network of the Greek diaspora abroad,
connecting Greeks with the homeland. They also
hope it is a vehicle through which their voices
can be heard by all, including government.
Lastly, would highly successful Greeks
abroad, such as themselves, be willing to
return permanently to Greece?
"Our potential return is a subject we
frequently discuss with fellow Greeks
abroad," Nikolaos said. "Most of us
would be willing to return to the country, and for substantively less compensation, as our recent survey showed. More than half
of Greeks abroad do not care about the salary as much as
they care about bureaucracy, political instability, and the overall business mentality. If determined, we can fix these things
and then most of us, including myself, would be willing to
return to Greece"
Orestis added he would be ready to return to Greece if certain, rather simple things, changed.
"Less bureaucracy, lower taxation for young entrepreneurs,
friendlier business environment, meritocracy in the public and
private sector and a wider popular consensus that would promote social justice and peace," he said.

Orestis Omran

Winter 2016 · THE AHEPAN

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The AHEPAN - Winter 2016
