Articles

Conference: The Human Face of the Migration Issue

On 15 June 2017, at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, a conference was held on “The human face of migration: Historical perspectives, testimonies and policy considerations.”

The Conference was held by UNESCO at United Nations University (UNU), and the keynote opening speakers were the Rector of the University, David Malone, the UNU representative to UNESCO, Daniel Rondeau, and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Marianna V. Vardinoyannis. The conference was part of the broader framework for developing a global agreement on migration, which is provided for by the New York Declaration on refugees and migrants (UN General Assembly, September 2016).

Opening the Conference proceedings,

Presentation of the Scrapbook “Delphic Reflections”

On 21 December 2016, the presentation of the Scrapbook DELPHIC HIGHLIGHTS took place at the National Museum of Contemporary Art (Fix), with artwork from the collections of the European Cultural Centre of Delphi (ECCD).

The scrapbook was presented by the President of the European Cultural Centre of Delphi, Dean Helene Ahrweiler, and the President of the Marianna V. Vardinoyannis Foundation, Mrs. Marianna V. Vardinoyannis, the Director of the National Museum of Contemporary Art, Ms. Katerina Koskina, the Scrapbook’s curator, art critic Efi Andreadi, and journalist Anna Grimani

Artists in attendance, whose works are housed in the Centre’s Collections,

Athens Meeting “Welcoming Cities for Refugees”

On 22 November, 2016, a resounding message, regarding the faith in and dedication to the universal human values of peace, solidarity and understanding that we all need to have, was sent from the Athens Meeting “Welcoming Cities for Refugees: Promoting inclusion and Protecting rights”.

The Meeting, which was organized jointly by UNESCO and the “Marianna V. Vardinoyannis Foundation”, took place in the presence of H.E. the President of the Republic, Prokopis Pavlopoulos.

The Meeting was opened with a speech from the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, and then the floor was taken by UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Marianna V.

Welcoming cities for refugees

The refugee crisis must be addressed globally and collectively, since no country can handle it on its own, especially when this effort is based on universal values and respect for fundamental human rights.

Based on this mentality, the “Marianna V. Vardinoyannis Foundation”, UNESCO and the European Coalition of Cities against Racism (ECCAR) decided to join forces and undertake the initiative to create the “Welcoming Cities for Refugees: Promoting Inclusion and Protecting Rights” program.

This program aims at assisting local authorities with their tough efforts in cities where refugees and migrants first arrive, as well as in transit and host cities.

Collaboration between the ELPIDA Foundation in Cyprus and the ELPIDA Association in Greece

In a modest ceremony held on 11 July 2016 in the Presidential Palace of Cyprus, in the presence of the President of Cyprus, Mr. Nikos Anastasiades, and the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Prokopis Pavlopoulos, the ELPIDA Foundation for Children with Cancer and Leukaemia and the ELPIDA) Association of Friends of Children with Cancer signed a collaborative agreement to unite forces against childhood cancer.

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“We Care” programme

“We Care” is a programme for the children of refugees that offers medical care, vaccinations, as well as material and psychological support.

It was launched in October of 2015, with the approval of the Ministry of Health, in cooperation with the Central Union of Municipalities of Greece, the Athens Medical Association and the Agia Sofia Children’s Hospital. 

The programme is supported by the Charity Organisation “Apostoli” of the Holy Archdiocese of Athens and the ELPIDA Association of Friends of Children with Cancer.

The “We Care” programme provides for children from infancy to 16 years old.

“Speak Truth to Power” Educational program on human rights

One of the key purposes of the Marianna V. Vardinoyannis Foundation is the protection of human rights, and in particular those of children, whereas its main areas of action are education, the promotion of a culture of peace, the support of dialogue, tolerance and understanding between the different cultures, and the gradual decrease of the number of children that fall victims to abuse and exploitation.

In this context, it is collaborating with the “Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights” foundation, bringing to Greece the “Speak Truth to Power” Educational Program, which is a world exclusive program launched by the Robert F.

“Support vulnerable social groups” Programme

Marianna V. Vardinoyannis Foundation, addressing with sensitivity the economic difficulties faced by many families, which in recent years have worsened due to the economic crisis, is there for them, through the “Support vulnerable social groups” Programme.

In the context of this Programme, the Foundation offers food, necessities and personal hygiene products, medicines, clothing, toys and school supplies, to destitute fellow citizens and children.

This aid is offered through existing social structures of the Church and other agencies, which the Foundation has been collaborating with for many years in Attica, Peloponnesus, Crete and other parts of Greece.

“Support Schools” programme

The Marianna V. Vardinoyannis Foundation considers the education of children as the most important, after health, prerequisite for the prosperity and progress of the new generation, the creation of a society of worthy citizens and the building of a culture of peace; to this end it has included in the core of its activities the “Support Schools” programme.

The purpose of the Programme is to offer logistical support to school communities and to provide students with more supplies to help them meet their educational needs.

In this context, it offers books and school supplies to schools,