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, welcomed Mrs Kerry Kennedy along with 70 teachers and 50 students from public and private schools across Greece who participated in the Seminar. Mr Nikos Hatzinikolaou served as moderator for the Seminar.
Upon welcoming the participants, Mrs Vardinoyannis noted, “It is a great honour and pleasure to have with us today the President of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, and inspirer of the Speak the Truth to Power Programme, Mrs Κerry Kennedy, a good friend to us all and a proponent of human rights globally. Kerry’s visit to Greece and to this event makes this day truly special for all of us. In 2013 we signed an agreement with Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights to introduce this Programme to our country’s teachers. Today I see among us all those with whom we started this Programme some years ago. And so many more who have joined this team, which is made up of over 300 teachers and 100 schools across Greece. Thank you for the trust you have shown in us; thank you for your consistency and the activities you send us, for your interest in transferring the values of humanism to your children.”
One her part, Mrs Kerry Kennedy warmly thanked Mrs Vardinoyannis for her active support for the Speak the Truth to Power Programme, as well as the Greek teachers and students who have enthusiastically embraced it: “…”
The Olympic Gold and Silver medallist in Sailing, Mr Nikos Kaklamanakis, also attended the Seminar and spoke to the children and their teachers about the Right to Dream.
Up next were the representatives from NGO Axion Hellas, Mr Vassilis Pateras, President of Axion Hellas, and Prince Nikolaos, Advisor to the Axion Hellas BoD, who spoke about their actions in remote parts of Greece.
After that, students andteachers from schools participating in the Programme had the chance to present their actions, through imaginative and original activities, while they gave to Mrs Kennedy and Mrs Vardinoyannis works they had completed as part of the Programme.
A lively discussion followed between the school teachers and the heads of the Programme, Ms Sofia Dartzali (for Greece) and Ms Karen Robinson (for the USA), on educational approaches to the Programme. Ms Ino Konstantopoulou also participated in the discussion as a member of the Marianna V. Vardinoyannis Foundation BoD..
The following schools presented their actions at the 7th Educational Seminar for Teachers: Pierce – The American College of Greece, General Senior High School of Ermioni, Othisi Junior/Senior High School, Art School of Gerakas, International School of Athens, Anavryta Model Lyceum and 1st General Senior High School of Filippiada.
Note that the Educational Seminar is held twice a year to update teachers and foster the exchange of views regarding the implementation of the Speak the Truth to Power Programme in Greek schools.
The Speak the Truth to Power Programme is an innovative initiative of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights on the human rights taught to millions of students across the globe. The Programme is based on the book by Mrs Kerry Kennedy, daughter of the late Robert F. Kennedy, and is being taught in Greek schools at the initiative of Mrs Marianna V. Vardinoyannis for the fourth year running, with many schools around Greece participating. It is under the auspices of His Excellency the President of the Hellenic Republic Mr Prokopis Pavlopoulos, while it has also been approved by the Greek Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs. The Programme aims to familiarise the students with the concept of human rights from a young age, so that, as future citizens, they will be able to secure a better and fairer society.
The Programme is addressed to junior and senior high school teachers. For further information, visit:
