GFC & THE NEW MIGRATION WAVE

Following on the Metapolitefsi we explore the impacts of the GFC and modern migration to Australia in search of job prospects. Our speakers share their insights into the experiences of Greek-Australian cultural identity, and the feeling of being part of two different worlds.    

Filmed at Melbourne's Greek Quarter.

Hosted by Kyriakos Gold, CEO of Just Gold Digital Agency

A new wave of Greek Australian emigration is observed in the period 2009-2014.

The pessimism of the Greeks about the state of the economy in Greece continues, albeit

to a lesser extent, with the result that many of the citizens have emigrated or are aiming

to go abroad for work. Besides, a key feature and consequence of the crisis is the high

unemployment driving the Greeks abroad, in order to find work.

The prosperity of the Greek Australian community in the 60s and 70s meant that many

Greek Australians had moved back to Greece in the 80s and 90s. This large Greek

Australian community had the option to move back to Australia - as Australian citizens

this time – escaping the pressures of the Global Financial Crisis and austerity that hit

Southern Europe. This wave also influenced significant number of Greeks to choose

Australia rather than moving to other European countries such as Germany.

The shock data presented by “Kathimerini” (30-11-2014), reflect the big problem of

“brain drain” from Greece, foreshadowing perhaps the worst. In total and in all fields,

over 100,000 Greek scientists, mostly young, are abroad, either having established

themselves professionally or looking for a good job. Also, another 30,000 Greeks are

studying at universities abroad, many of whom are looking for work in order to stay

permanently in a foreign country. And the dimensions of the problem are widening.

Abroad, experienced academics and researchers are beginning to seek their fortunes,

who are at the forefront of scientific research, but also of “claiming” European funds.

“Universities and the wider Greek research community not only cannot get new blood,

but also cannot retain their experienced staff,” said Evi Sachini, director of the National

Documentation Center (ECB) of the National Research Foundation. Economic and

qualitative data show that Greek higher education is on the verge of a major crisis.

Poll results show that today mainly young people aged 22-35 are migrating and that

7 out of 10 would leave their country for a job abroad. On the contrary, in the 60’s

the Greeks who decided to emigrate were older, mainly 35 years and over. Today

Greeks that are migrating, they do not leave by chance, they research for information

through the internet for offered jobs as well as for a decent working environment in the

countries of Europe, Australia and America. Due to the lack of any perspective, distrust

of politicians and the established in general, the country loses people who are useful for

the rebirth of society.

Comparing the migration of the period ‘60 -’70 with the current one, the differences

that appear are many and important. The first and most important thing is that

today the best are leaving. Young people, doctors, engineers, and a number of other

professionals with masters and doctorates, leave Greece in search not only of better

salaries but mainly seeking the recognition of their efforts, their achievements

and better life quality. They are once again leaving a country that does not have

the conditions for high research and condemns them to extremely low wages,

undergraduate positions, degraded employment and a frustrating climate that devalues

scientists.

Today its estimated that more than 600.000 people live in Australia. More than half that

number live in Melbourne which is the third country in population after Athens and

Thessaloniki.

The Greeks in Australia have contributed significantly to all aspects of living and have

influenced Government, Corporate and Community structures. At the same time

Australian culture was enriched at large by contribution to the arts, tourism, sport,

restaurants, food and wine.

In Melbourne and Sydney there are many neighbourhoods with distinct Greek

Australian influence like diners, cafés, retail stores, community representatives from

many Greek cities, radio stations and newspapers.

Well-known festivals that are held over the years like Antipodes in Melbourne or the

Greek Festival of Sydney of the Semaphore Greek Festival in Adelaide. Festivals are

a celebration and showcase of Greek culture through music, dance and food. Greek

artists are invited to participate from Greece in their effort to keep the “cultural

communication” lines open and interconnected.

In addition, common Orthodox religious customs have helped the Greek Australian

community stay connected over the years, especially the older generations, nourishing

the feeling of belonging.

Reflecting a hierarchy of parental aspirations for their children’s professional futures,

we see the offspring of Greek migrants moving from the entrepreneurial spirit

of small business (that drove their parents to success in Australia) to professional

and government roles creating today the diverse and successful Greek Australian

community we have come to experience.

(Στρατός Καρακασίδης) Το τρίτο μεταναστευτικό κύμα των Ελλήνων

(Πέτρος Α. Κιόχος) Η εξωτερική μετανάστευση της χώρας μας και οι συνέπειες αυτής

(Αλέξης Τότσικας) Όπου γη πατρίδα – Έλληνες μετανάστες στον κόσμο