Mrs. Vardinoyannis co-operates with several NGOs around the world, such as: Fondation pour l`Enfance (France), AVEC (France), International Peace Bureau (Switzerland), Hague Appeal for Peace, Jordan River Foundation (Jordan), Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights (USA), Heydar Aliyev Foundation (Azerbaijan), Qatar Foundation (Qatar) and others. She participated in many international and European meetings, such as:

1. The first ECPAT World Congress on Sexual Exploitation of Children, in Stockholm, which was held under the auspices of H.M. Queen Silvia of Sweden (August, 1996)
2. The Summit of the “Fondation pour l’Enfance” in Paris, for the presentation of the work of the “European Office for Missing and Exploited Children”. She participated as a keynote speaker (November 1997)
3. The International Conference on Missing Children organised by INTERPOL and the “Fondation pour l’Enfance”,

Mrs. Marianna V. Vardinoyannis founded the Association of Friends of Children with cancer “ELPIDA” in 1990, aiming to help and support children suffering from cancer, as well as their families. Since then, she is the President of the Association.

She has succeeded to raise awareness in Mediterranean and Balkan societies on issues regarding childhood cancer, to mobilize volunteering and donations, to reverse prejudice against cancer and to achieve significant goals through wide fundraising campaigns including telethons, cultural events, exhibitions, artwork auctions and bazaars: the first Bone Marrow Transplant Unit in Greece at the “Agia Sophia”

Concerning her mission as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, in her article included in the book* entitled “60 women contributing to the 60 years of UNESCO”, Mrs. Vardinoyannis writes inter alia:

“Participating in UNESCO s activities is a source of profound satisfaction and an experience of special essence for me. The elements of UNESCO s objectives that strike me as especially admirable and of fundamental value are its breadth of vision, foresight, immediacy and innovative approach. Through the enormous volume of data the Organisation processes and filters, it brings to light matters that will either have grave repercussions for humanity in the future or identifies essential sectors requiring support and protection.

I feel very honored to be here with you today at such a symbolic moment in the history of UNESCO. At the same time, I feel deeply touched by the kind invitation of the Director General to speak about one of the most important leading figures in world history.

“I was not a messiah, but an ordinary man who had become a leader because of extraordinary circumstances”. This is the self-definition of Nelson Mandela in his own words reflecting his modesty and greatness. For us, however, for the family of the Goodwill Ambassadors, who had the honor and pleasure to serve UNESCO next to him,

The 10 principles of the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Child is a publication aimed not only to children but also to adults. The beautiful images that adorn the book is the painter Emmanuel Death.