Mrs Marianna V. Vardinoyannis’ speech

“Humanism and Volunteering: When Defending Health and Solidarity Become a Way of Life”

Your Excellency Mr President of the Hellenic Republic,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I am deeply moved by this great honour! I thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Thirty years ago, when I was embarking on this long journey to save children suffering from cancer, along with the founding members of the ELPIDA Association, it would have been difficult for me to believe that a time would come when I would accept such a major distinction,

The President of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights andhuman rights activist, Mrs Kerry Kennedy, sided with the national issue regarding the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece, in the context of a lecture hosted by the Marianna V. Vardinoyannis Foundation at the Acropolis Museum Auditorium on Monday 18 March 2019.

“Even when you take something from a small child they will tell you: It’s not fair. So it’s not fair to enter one’s home and take away the most valuable thing they have.  And it is wrong to talk about the Elgin Marbles. 

The 7th Educational Seminar for Teachers of the Speak the Truth to Power Programme was held on Monday 18 March 2019 at the NJV Athens Plaza Hotel. The event was organised by the Marianna V. Vardinoyannis Foundation and the invited guests included Mrs Kerry Kennedy, daughter of the late Robert F. Kennedy and President of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights.

The UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and President of the Foundation, Mrs Marianna V. Vardinoyannis,