On the occasion of the anniversary of the International Convention on Childrens Rights [November 20th] and the World Day of Children [December 11th], the Foundation for the Child and the Family honored children, the hope and the future of the humanity, by awarding 12 children who each one of them gives its battle in life with will, courage, self-sacrifice and morals in the most paradigmatic way for all of us.
The Director-General, Mr. Koichiro Matsuura and 18 UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors met on July 27th 2000 at Organization Headquarters in Paris to discuss the Ambassadors? potential contribution and the Organization?s future priorities.
The Ambassadors attending the meeting were: Jose Antonio Abreu, Patrick Baudry, Pierre Cardin, Claudia Cardinale, Marin Constantin, Cheick Modibo Diarra, Miguel Angel Estrella, Vigdis Finnbogadottir, Princess Firyal, Jean-Michel Jarre, Omer Zulfu Livaneli, Kitin Munoz, Kim Phuc, Susana Rinaldi, Sheikh Ghassan I. Shaker, Zurab Tsereteli, Marianna V. Vardinoyannis and Julio Werthein.
Mr Matsuura declared to the Ambassadors: You have accepted to use your talent and celebrity to disseminate the ideals of UNESCO.
An international conference was held in Athens and in Delphi, in June 2000, within the framework of the UNESCO program for Peace culture and on the occasion of the proclamation of 2000, by the UN, as an International Year for Peace culture and non violence. The conference was entitled: “Meeting of Athens-Delphi for Children and Peace” and was organized by the “Foundation for the Child and the Family” in cooperation with the Peace International Bureau, under the auspices of UNESCO.
On the occasion of the Mothers Day, the Foundation bestowed prizes on six mothers who, each in her own way, are battling for life, giving hope and struggling for peace. The evene was organized on May 11th 2000 at the Old Parliament Building, in Athens.
Mrs Marianna V. Vardinoyannis opened the event with an address, in which she emphasised significance and multifaceted role of the mother, which was and remains crucial, both in human society and in our hearts. Mrs. Vardinoyannis referred to the aims of the event and to the mothers honoured by the Foundation:
In February 2000, among 600 children illuminating the area with their smiles, Mrs Marianna V. Vardinoyannis, President of the Foundation for the Child and the Family, inaugurated the model Area of Creative Activities in the Municipality of Ano Liosia which was severely affected by the earthquake of September 1999- and gave toys to the children.