On the occasion of the International Decade for a Culture of Peace, the “Foundation for the Child and the Family” organised an International Conference on “Contemporary Societies – Multicultural Co-existence: The position of the child” under the auspices of UNESCO. The Conference took place at the Aristotelion University of Thessaloniki.
A book, a theatre performance and an exhibition of pictures were the three aspects of the event «Speak Truth to Power: Human Rights Defenders who change our world», which was organised in Athens on June 2002 by the Foundation for the Child and the Family, aiming to support the Greek Committee of Amnesty International. The event was held under the auspices of the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Kostis Stefanopoulos, and with the sponsorship of Vardis and Marianna Vardinoyannis.
The book called «Speak Truth to Power: Human Rights Defenders who change our world» is the lifetime work of Kerry Kennedy Cuomo,
The annual Meeting of the Goodwill Ambassadors with the Director-General Mr. Koichiro Matsuura was held on February 11th and 12th 2002 at the headquarters of UNESCO in Paris.
During the Meeting, Mr. Matsuura referred to the activities of the Organisation during 2001 and highlighted the major steps made in the field of communication and co-operation between the Ambassadors, as well as to the work of all sub-directorates of the Organisation. Mr. Matsuura referred also comprehensively to the priorities and new programmes that will start being implemented during 2002, such as:
A) The programme «Education for All» which aims at eradicating illiteracy by the year 2015.
The publication contains the proceedings of the Conference entitled The child a victim of war and a messenger of peace, organized at the Athens Concert Hall by the “Foundation for the Child and the Family” in partnership with the International Peace Bureau and the International Network Hague Appeal Peace ” in May 2001, as part of the International Decade [2001-2010] for the Culture of Peace and non-violence.
The Foundation for the Child and the Family, within the framework of the International Decade [2001-2010] for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence, organised the international conference entitled: The child: victim of war and messenger of peace, in cooperation with the International Peace Bureau and the Hague Appeal for Peace. The conference was organised under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Conference took place at Megaron-the Athens Concert Hall in May 2001 and was attended by over 700 people, distinguished personalities who have committed themselves to the fights for peace, as well as personalities from the world of Letters and Art,
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: