FOUNDATION
Marianna V. Vardinoyannis Foundation is a public benefit foundation of humanitarian and social character under private law.
It is a Non Governmental Organisation(NGO) based in Athens with a Special Consultative Status at the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations Organisation.
It was founded in 1997 by the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, Mrs. Marianna V. Vardinoyannis. It was named as “Foundation for the Child and the Family” until 2012.
The MVV Foundation aims at the promotion of issues concerning the protection of human rights, especially of childrens rights as well as the improvement of the living conditions of children and families.
Through its multidimensional action focused on education, peace, health, social security and culture, it aims at illuminating every aspect of children’s life, sensitising and informing the Greek and the international public opinion, pointing out weaknesses and deficiencies in order to contribute to the solution of problems and the coverage of needs.
The Foundation’s activities are focused on 7 fundamental goals:
- To protect human rights
- To contribute to the peace – building.
- To empower intercultural dialogue, tolerance and understanding.
- To protect children from abuse, deprivation and injustice.
- To develop and strengthen family and social bonds in order to ensure appropriate conditions for the prosperity of children.
- To create ever-increasing opportunities for the multifaceted development of youth in the contemporary world.
- To contribute to the protection of cultural and natural heritage.
The Foundation participates in the international efforts against violence, poverty, discrimination, emphasizing the confrontation of problems such as the commercial exploitation of children, child abuse, paedophilia on the Internet, human trafficking, the use of children as soldiers, children victims of war, street children, etc.
Throughout meetings and conferences, publications and special campaigns, it mainly presents issues related to respecting and complying with the International Convention on the Rights of the Child and the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.
At the same time, it supports researches and awards, initiatives and efforts that serve common ideals and give examples of social solidarity.
FIELDS OF ACTION
Children’s rights
Respect of the Children Rights
Reinforcement of the family institution
Support to the children of vulnerable social groups
Safety
Fight against Human Trafficking
Protection of the Innocence in Danger
Protection of the civilians
Health
Protection of Childrens Health
Prevention of drug misuse in youth
Peace
Spreading the Culture of Peace
Promotion of the Dialogue among Civilizations
Culture and education
Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage
Dissemination of knowledge
Eliminate illiteracy
The future
Sustainable Development
Achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals
Climate Justice
Fight against poverty and unemployment in youth
PROGRAMMES
- “Support Schools” program
- “Support vulnerable social groups” programme
- “Speak Truth to Power” Educational programme on human rights
- “We Care” Refugee Child Medical Assistance Programme
- “Welcoming cities for refugees” humanitarian programme for coping with the refugee problem in Europe
PUBLICATIONS
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.
Proceedings of the European conference entitled “Family-21th-century Europe Vision and Institutions, held at the initiative of the” Marianna V. Vardinoyannis Foundation ” in May 1998 in Athens, with the participation of Greek and foreign experts.
The proceedings of the conference entitled: «L ‘Enfant et la Famille dans la societe du XXIe siecle en Europe», organized by the University of Europe and the “Foundation for the Child and the Family” at the Sorbonne, in June 1999. Congress examined the language and family issues in the context of new technologies and socio-cultural elements that characterize European cities.
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.
Presentation of the exhibition entitled The Unity of a Unique Monument: Parthenon, organized by the Foundation “Melina Mercouri” at the headquarters of UNESCO in Paris and included a series of photographs depicting clasped parts of the Parthenon Marbles, which today are crumbling between the Museum Acropolis and the British Museum, thus providing a complete picture of the two parts, as they will be after their reunion in the new Acropolis Museum.
Presentation of the exhibition of the Jordan River Foundation with traditional and contemporary crafts of Jordan, unique and representative samples of textile art and crafts-rugs, tapestries, tablecloths, throws, etc. who reflect the heritage of one of the oldest civilizations of the East, which took place at the Museum of Cycladic Art and was organized at the initiative of the “Foundation for the Child and the Family”.
Presentation of the exhibition of women artists from the Islamic world entitled “Lever le Voile”, held at the initiative of the Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO, Mrs. Marianna V. Vardinoyannis in March 2003 at the headquarters of UNESCO in Paris and was dedicated to women-fighters , women-mothers, women-creators.
The international conference “Climate Change and Challenges for the future generations” held in June 2009 in Athens with the participation of Greek and foreign experts.
A very tender book, written by Marianne B. Vardinoyannis includes some thoughts and observations she have made as the mother of five children, around the sensitive issue, the child and his relationships with parents and environment.
PROGRAMMES – MEETINGS – CONFERENCES – LECTURES
The Foundation has launched the “Support Schools” project through which it provides books, clothes, equipment, computers, etc, to schools every year in order to help children, parents and teachers, during the difficult circumstances of the financial crisis, as well as the “Support vulnerable social groups” program focusing on poor areas of Athens and other cities by providing people-in-need with food and personal hygiene products. It co-operates with churches and local authorities for direct distribution. It also reinforces families living in villages in the borders of Greece and supports children forced to live with their mothers in prison providing them with clothes, books and toys.
In 2013, the Foundation signed an agreement of co-operation with “Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights” in order to launch the “Speak Truth to Power” educational program in Greece and bring the relevant curriculum into the Greek schools.
In June 2014, the foundation launched the international campaign “Return-REstore-REstart” for the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece and the reunification of the Parthenon.
In 2015, the Foundation launched the “Refugee Child Medical Assistance Program-WE CARE” in order to provide first aid, health care and vaccines to the children of refugees that are passing through Greece. The program is being held with the co-operation of the “Central Association of Municipalities of Greece”, the Athens Medical Association, the “Agia Sophia Children’s Hospital” and the humanitarian organization “Mission”.
In 2016 in cooperation of UNESCO and the “European Coalition of cities against racism” the Foundation launches the “Welcoming cities for the refugees” program, to contribute to the difficult task of local authorities on receiving and integrating refugees into the social fabric of cities, with respect to their human rights, and without disturbing the daily life of residents of cities.
Further more the “Marianna V. Vardinoyannis Foundation” from the day it was founded up to now has organized meetings, conferences and lectures, on topics related to education, human rights and protection of children, culture of peace, dialogue among civilizations, cultural heritage and social solidarity, as well as on issues relevant to children’s safety such as discrimination, sexual abuse and exploitation, paedophilia on the Internet, violence, climate change, etc.
Few of the most important meetings and conferences:
The European Meeting “Priority to the Dignity and Safety of the children of Europe” (Athens, 1997).
The European Forum “Family – Europe – 21st Century: Vision and Institutions”(Athens, 1998).
The International Conference “The Child and the Family in the 21st century”, in co-operation with the University of Europe, held under the auspices of the former President of the French Republic, Mr. Jacques Chirac, at the Sorbonne University (Paris, 1999).
The European Conference “Sexual Abuse of Children and Pedophilia on the Internet” under the auspices of UNESCO (Athens, 1999).
The “Meeting of Athens and Delphi on Children and Peace” held under the auspices of UNESCO, on the occasion of the International Year for a Culture of Peace. The “Declaration of Delphi on Children and Peace” was launched on this occasion (Athens and Delphi, 2000).
The celebration of the Anniversary the International Day of the Child entitled “Child-Symbol of Hope, Will and Courage” aiming at rewarding and supporting children who fought for their visions, who overcame physical or financial difficulties, and whose efforts demonstrate their love for culture and education, their courage and heroism (November 2000).
The International Conference “The Child: Victim of War and Messenger of Peace” under the auspices of UNESCO in the framework of the International Decade (2001-2010) for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence. The meeting was organised in co-operation with the International Peace Bureau (Nobel Peace Prize 1910) (Athens, 2001).
The International Conference on “Modern Societies- Multicultural Coexistence. The position of the child”, held under the auspices of UNESCO, at the Aristotle University (Thessaloniki, 2002).
The Second European Meeting of Legal Practitioners specialised on child pornography on the Internet and sexual exploitation of minors for commercial purpose (Athens, 2003).
The Exhibition entitled “Traditional and Contemporary Handicrafts from Jordan” in collaboration with Jordan River Foundation under the auspices of H.M. Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, as well as of UNESCO. The aim of the exhibition was the promotion of the intercultural dialogue, understanding, respect, and tolerance among people, via art and social solidarity (Athens, 2004).
The launching of the Declaration for the United Nations Millennium Development Goals drafted by 22 Greek Non Governmental Organizations and submitted to the ECOSOC for the High Level Segment and the United Nations Summit Meeting (September, 2005).
The Athens Round Table “Business Community against the Trafficking of Human Beings” (Athens, 2006) launched “The Athens Principles” against human trafficking which were presented at the World Economic Forum in Davos (2006).
The International Conference “Climate Change and Challenges for the Future Generations” under the auspices of UNESCO and in co-operation with TERI (The Energy Resources Institute) presided by the Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Dr Rajendra Pachauri, launching the “Athens Declaration on Vulnerable Children and Climate Change” (Athens, 2009).
The “1 Goal –Education for All” Global Campaign supportive event (Athens, 2010).
The conference “Cultural Heritage – Climate Change – The teacher’s role – Presentation of the book “The country of two suns” (Athens, 2011)
The Lecture of Professor Jan Driessen on World Heritage Day (Athens, 2013)
The launch of the campaign “REturn-REstore-REstart” for the reunification of the Parthenon sculptures (Athens, 2014)
Nizami Ganjavi International Center Meeting in Athens-Building the future of shared and inclusive societies (Athens, 2014)
Kerry Kennedy’s lecture on human rights (Athens, 2015)
The “Athens Meeting “Welcoming Cities For Refugees” an international confernence on the refugees and mingrants issues (Athens 2016)
