Following a proposal by the Board of Directors of the Center of  European Studies and Humanities "Ioannis Kapodistrias" the year 1997 was declared "Year Ioannis Kapodistrias" in commemoration of 170 years of the work of the Third National Assembly at Trizina, the voting of  the constitution of 1827 and the election of Ioannis Kapodistrias as Governor of Greece. The ceremony took place at the Old Parliament  building (Palaia Vouli) on 27 January, under the patronage and presence of the President of the Republic Mr. Constantinos Stephanopoulos. Attended by members of the government, the opposition, representatives of political parties and other officials from the academic, diplomatic and business area. On this occasion the establishment of the award of the Gold Medal "Ioannis Kapodistrias" to personalities from Greece and abroad  was announced.