The Demos Center at Deree – The American College of Greece is a part of the Institute for Hellenic Culture and the Liberal Arts. We promote democracy by fostering civic engagement, multiculturalism, and inclusivity through the practice of engaged and effective citizenship.
We celebrate, create programming around and study the pillars of healthy democracies. This includes promoting dialogue, debate and civil discourse as we aspire to develop sustainable global societies that work together toward building:
- Accountable government and public policies that serve the people first
- Free and unfettered news media environments
- Arts and entertainment communities that flourish
- Leadership and rhetoric that move people to action for the public good
- Equity, inclusivity, and multiculturalism, providing a framework to respect the human rights of all
- A healthy, sustainable planet emanating from all communities, large and small
- Equity in education for all people
- Just economic systems that lift all boats
- Just laws and judicial systems
- The 21st-century Agora, the public sphere, where communities can flourish and grow through constructive debate, civil discourse and dialogue
- Cultures that invite the participation and voices of all its people
- A framework that inspires the notion of becoming a true global citizen in our students
The diversity of our programming and partnerships will reflect these values.
There is no better place to discuss and study democracy, citizenship, and civic engagement than in Athens. It is one of the most consequential cities on earth, and where these concepts were born, came to life, and where the culture itself invites reflection and participation.
The Demos Center operates from both its Plaka building at 17 Ipitou Str. in the heart of Athens and from its sprawling, beautiful campus at 6 Gravias Str. in Aghia Paraskevi.
For information about The Demos Center or The Institute, contact the Director of The Demos Center, Dr. Mary Cardaras @ mcardaras@acg.edu.
“Citizenship must extend far beyond just casting a vote.”
— Mary Cardaras, Director, The Demos Center
“The most important office in any country is not president or prime minister. The most important title is ‘citizen.’ And in all of our nations, it will always be our citizens who decide the kind of countries we will be, the ideals that we will reach for, and the values that will define us. In this great, imperfect but necessary system of self-government, power and progress will always come from the demos | from ‘We, the people.”
— President Barack Obama, November 16, 2016
