Ministers Wong and Kamper Respond to Push for UN Recognition of Greek Language, Fall Short of Support

Federal Foreign Minister Penny Wong and NSW Multiculturalism Minister Steve Kamper have addressed a petition by Professor Anastasios Tamis urging the United Nations (UN) and UNESCO to establish an International Day of the Greek Language.

While acknowledging the language’s cultural and historical importance, both ministers cited procedural constraints at the UN and suggested alternative avenues like parliamentary and community engagement, stopping short of endorsing the initiative. Critics argue this reluctance is a slight to Greek-Australian communities.

Minister Wong’s Response
In her reply, Senator Wong stated:

“Thank you for your letter regarding Professor Anastasios Tamis’ petition for an International Day of the Greek Language at the UN and UNESCO. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade responded on my behalf to a similar request from Professor Tamis in June 2024.

The Australian Government values the Greek language’s profound influence on Western culture, politics, and philosophy, stemming from its role in Ancient Greece. Greek remains a vital community language in Australia, cherished by generations of Greek Australians.

However, Greek is not among the UN’s six official languages, and there is no precedent for an International Day for a non-official language. I encourage engagement with Mr. Steve Georganas MP, Chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Greece, to explore parliamentary recognition of the Greek language’s global significance.”

UNESCO’s Push for World Greek Language Day
UNESCO’s Executive Board has proposed February 9 as World Greek Language Day, following advocacy by Greece’s Permanent Delegation, led by Mr. Georgios Koumoutsakos, and a team of academics including Professors Georgios Babiniotis, Christos Klairis, and Anastasios Tamis. Initiated by Professor Ioannis Korinthios, the campaign garnered support from global governments, intellectuals, and religious leaders, including Australia’s Anglican Archbishop Philip Freier, who urged Australian leaders to back the proposal. As of April 21, 2025, the UNESCO Executive Board’s proposal awaits final adoption by the UNESCO General Conference to be officially recognized, marking a significant step toward global acknowledgment of the Greek language’s cultural legacy.

In Australia, the Australian Institute for Macedonian Studies (AIMS) and the Australian Institute for Hellenic Research led efforts, contacting government officials, church leaders, and media. Despite these efforts, Minister Wong refrained from supporting Greece’s proposal, prompting Professor Tamis to call Australia’s stance “an insult to Greek-Australian citizens.” In contrast, MP Steve Georganas strongly committed to advocating for the initiative.

Why Greek Language Matters
UNESCO’s proposal highlights the Greek language’s unique attributes:

1. Unbroken Continuity: With 4,000 years of oral tradition and 3,500 years of written records (or 2,800 years using the alphabetic script), Greek is Europe’s longest continuously spoken and written language. Nobel laureate Giorgos Seferis noted, “The Greek language has never ceased to be spoken.”
2. Cultural Richness: Greek’s sophisticated vocabulary, grammar, and syntax have been shaped by luminaries like Homer, Plato, and Aristotle, and they span literature, philosophy, and science.
3. Global Influence: Greek has profoundly shaped European and world languages, and its terminology dominates fields like medicine, mathematics, and the humanities. It is taught globally in its ancient, medieval, and modern forms.
4. Historical Innovation: In the 8th century BCE, Greeks adapted the Phoenician script to create the alphabet, revolutionizing written communication. Greek later became the first global lingua franca during the Hellenistic period, influencing Roman, Christian, and Renaissance traditions.

UNESCO’s decision, drafted by Professors Babiniotis and Klairis, emphasizes Greek’s role as a “vessel of culture, values, and identity” and its contribution to global intellectual traditions. The proposed date, February 9, marks the death of Greece’s national poet, Dionysios Solomos, in 1857.

Global Support and Haiti’s Role
Haiti was the first nation to endorse World Greek Language Day at UNESCO, reflecting its historical recognition of Greece’s independence during the Greek Revolution. UNESCO has previously recognized Greek cultural elements, including the Derveni Papyrus (2015), Dodona oracle tablets (2023), Byzantine Chant (2019), and Epirus polyphonic song (2020).

A Milestone for Hellenism
Mr. Koumoutsakos hailed the UNESCO proposal as “a recognition of the Greek language’s timelessness and universal contribution to humanity’s cultural heritage.” The Thesaurus Linguae Graecae, with over 105 million words from 12,000 texts, underscores Greek’s vast literary legacy.

While global momentum grows, Australia’s hesitation remains a point of contention for advocates like Professor Tamis, who see the recognition of Greek as a matter of cultural pride and justice for Greek-Australians.

Beyond the Anthem: Discovering the Poetic Power of Dionysios Solomos