By Antonis

Copyright thenationalherald

NEW YORK – With a speech that was inspired as well as moving, George Logothetis, the Greek-American executive chairman of Libra Group and co-chair of the Concordia Summit, set the tone for the opening of this year’s conference of the same name, which brings together leaders, entrepreneurs, politicians, and youth from around the world.

Concorida is taking place September 21-24 in the heart of New York, coinciding with the start of the UN General Assembly’s High-Level Week that also marks the 80th anniversary of the United Nations.

Logothetis began with a retrospective on Concordia’s 15-year journey, from a dream that once seemed distant to a “miracle” that today constitutes an institution of international dialogue.

“Here we are,” he said, “15 years from yesterday, a dream that was Concordia to today the miracle that is Concordia. Dreams and miracles, two simple words. Yet they capture the heart of what we have built together.” He then warmly congratulated the organization’s team, and his co-founders Matthew A. Swift and Nicholas M. Logothetis for their dedication.

With particular emphasis, he described Concordia as a platform that remains faithful to the principles of democracy “in the classical Greek sense… where the President sits amongst the students, with the Patriarch who meets the aspiring entrepreneurs of tomorrow.”

Concordia, he added, is a space where disagreements become dialogue and dialogue leads to understanding, in an era when divisions seem sharper than ever.

A special part of his speech was dedicated to the young people from 102 countries participating this year, urging them to draw strength not only from others’ belief in them, but also from skepticism.

“It is obvious that being believed in is a good thing. but so is not being believed in. How so? One can produce confidence, community, coherence, the other can produce motivation community, coherence. We grow from both, even from the non-believers.”

He continued with passion and sincerity: “The next time you are put down, spoken down to, made fun of, told that it cannot be done, say, ‘don’t tell me it can’t be done. Tell me what can be done.” He underscored that attitude and mindset are what determine outcomes.

Logothetis also spoke about the value of community and family as a shield against hardship. “Family, community, tribe” – he said, “for the understanding from the few can help [immunize] you against the lack of understanding of the many.” He explained that collective strength gives courage and endurance, especially when conditions become difficult.

His speech included references to personal stories, such as that of Virginia, who at age 55 learned she would lose her sight but turned this tragedy into a life mission to help thousands of people, he highlighted the role of courage as a catalyst for change.

Logothetis then declared that “Courage creates heroes… Heroes remind us of our better angels… Remind us of our worst demons. Heroes remind us of not just who we are, or who we have been, but of who we can yet become.”

Concluding his speech, George Logothetis stressed that Concordia must continue to resist the pressures of the times, to uphold the art of civilized dialogue, and to cultivate the values of democracy.

Our goal, he emphasized, is always “to become the best version of ourselves” – the exclamation point on a message of hope and determination.

His address received prolonged applause, confirming that Concordia remains a beacon of dialogue, coexistence, and inspiration in a period of great challenges but also significant opportunities.