Marianna V. Vardinoyannis
UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador
Acknowledging her long and important social offer, UNESCO appointed Ms Marianna V. Vardinoyannis as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, in a formal ceremony realised at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, on October 21, 1999.
Since then, Ms Marianna V. Vardinoyannis has been participating in the Annual Meetings of the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors and the various events organised by UNESCO, both in and out of Greece as well as collaborating with the other ambassadors in many projects.
Taking into account the priorities that UNESCO sets each year, Ms Marianna V. Vardinoyannis acts accordingly taking initiatives that aim at her contribution to the current major issues which have a social, human, educational and cultural character. She combines these actions with the activities of the “Foundation for the Child and Family” and of the Association of Friends of Children with cancer “ELPIDA”, which she presides, as well as with her mission as member of the Boards of Trustees of several international organisations.
Concerning her mission as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, in her article included in the publication entitled: “60 women contributing to the 60 years of UNESCO”, Ms 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. Issues pertaining to ‘Education for All’, the conservation of the intangible cultural heritage, the preservation of the world’s cultural and natural heritage, the environment and the climate demonstrate that UNESCO is fostering the future of our planet, whilst respecting the past. The main reason for my enthusiasm is the sense of contributing to a mission of new ideas and causes, correct direction and innovative plans that know no borders.
“UNESCO’s programmes are praiseworthy, pioneering and promote the values of peace, civilisation and human rights. They have continuity and consequence, bearing fruits all over the world. Projects in which I have taken part have convinced me of the great efficacy exercised and warm response received by UNESCO’s endeavours, not only in the sensibilisation and mobilisation of public opinion, but also in the promotion of the Organisation’s aims.
“The Preamble of UNESCO’s Constitution, ‘Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that defences of peace must be constructed’, is the premise of my personal philosophy. Peace cannot be imposed nor can it be a decision taken at top level. Rather, peace is born from the roots, from the soul of each of us. The contrary method, which has more frequently been applied, may have been necessary, but has not sufficed. Legislation, regulations and decisions regarding peace and eradication of violence have proved sterile, for the very reason that attitudes have not changed. In order to achieve peace, we have to build a culture of peace; and this can be attained only if we begin at the base, with the individual. In the end, shaping mentalities is more powerful than laws. It is my opinion that the fundament on which we should act is primarily the family.
Induction to a humane attitude of consideration and respect for the other comes through the family and this is where the notions of democracy, tolerance and solidarity are born.
The protection of human rights, and particularly the rights of children, is an issue I wish UNESCO would continue to pursue as priorities. This issue is multifaceted and interconnected with the gravest problems international society faces.
The right to life itself and equal rights to education continue to be a utopia for millions of children in the world, because of poverty or of outdated traditions.
Human trafficking, with millions of victims annually, particularly women and children, has taken on a vast dimension, placing it among the three largest industries of illegal profit in the world. Furthermore, paedophilia and sexual exploitation of children through the Internet threaten to become a scourge, since Internet knows no borders and international legislation is yet deficient. UNESCO has the experience, the technological means and the human factor at its disposal to play an even more decisive role in setting the proper bases for the confrontation and solution to these problems by giving even greater weight to its efforts in upholding human rights.”
*The publication entitled: “60 women contributing to the 60 years of UNESCO” and subtitled: “Constructing the Foundations of Peace” contains the profiles of 60 women personalities who act within UNESCO for the construction of a new society of peace and collaboration among the peoples. Among the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors presented in the publication are: Ms Vigdis Finnbogadottir, former President of Iceland, the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg Maria Teresa, Princess Fyrial of Jordan, the Nobel Peace Price winner, Rigoberta Menchu Tum, Ms Kim Phuc Phan Thi, and others.
Ms Marianna V. Vardinoyannis’ action with UNESCO
Since 1999, Ms Marianna V. Vardinoyannis has been participating and supporting a series of UNESCO projects concerning the protection of human rights, the protection of the world cultural and natural heritage, the elimination of illiteracy, the promotion of Culture of Peace, the promotion of the dialogue among different cultures, etc.
As a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, Ms Marianna V. Vardinoyannis has undertaken, among others:
- To represent the Director-General of UNESCO, Mr Koichiro Matsuura, during the events for the promotion of the Cultural Olympiads on international level.
- To sponsor several events and projects such as the international Festival for the World Day of Cultural Diversity held in the UNESCO headquarters in Paris (May 2008), the first international workshop on the prevention and handling of dangers emanating from natural disasters on International Heritage monuments, organised by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre in Ancient Olympia (November 2008), the project «Safe Schools» of the Jordan River Foundation of Queen Rania of Jordan (2007), the Concert of Purcell School which took place at the UNESCO Headquarters for the promotion of music education and the support of young talents, with the attendance of Prince Charles (February 2003), and more.
- To organise conferences, exhibitions and other cultural events, such as the International Conference "Women in the Service of Peace" held at the UNESCO Headquarters in collaboration with "The Suzanne Mubarak Women's International Peace Movement" (June, 2004). The aim of this event was to highlight the important and substantial role that women play in establishing Peace among peoples and to defend their rights to be recognised as full partners in the processes of decision-making and political negotiations. She further organised the exhibition entitled: "The Unity of a Unique Monument: the Parthenon" held at the UNESCO Headquarters in collaboration with the Foundation "Melina Merkouri" (April, 2003); the Painting Exhibition of women artists from the Islamic World with the title "Breaking the Veils" was organised at the UNESCO Headquarters under the auspices of Queen Rania of Jordan, in collaboration with FAM Network, in the framework of the celebration of the Universal Women’s Day (March 2003); the concert of George Dalaras at the Herodeion Theatre in Athens (June 2003) in order to support the project for the restoration of the Agia Sophia Church in Constantinople (June, 2003); the exhibition of photography on the World Cultural Heritage in Venice (November 2002) and in the United Nations Headquarters in New York (December 2002); Jean Michel Jarre’s concert at Herodion aiming at the construction of the First Paediatric Oncological Hospital in Greece, where, Jean Michel Jarre performed the Hymn to the Acropolis for the first time worldwide (June, 2001), etc.
She further organised many international conferences, under the auspices of UNESCO, such as the first European Forum "Family - Europe – 21st Century: Vision and Institutions", the "Meeting of Athens and Delphi on Children and Peace", "The Child: Victim of War and Messenger of Peace", "Sexual Abuse of Children and Paedophilia on the Internet","Contemporary Societies - Multicultural Co-existence: The position of the child",“Climate Change and Challenges for the Future Generations”, etc.
- The promotion of projects such as the project «Innocence in danger» for the protection of children from sexual abuse and paedophilia through the Internet, the «Education for all» project for the elimination of illiteracy, the project for «sustainable development of our planet emphasising on climate change», the project for «Confronting Natural Disasters», the project for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, the project for the protection of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, the initiatives for the Restoration of the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem, and the Agia Sophia Church in Constantinople, and more.
Other initiatives:
- She funded the Early Childhood Resource and Training Centre, in the framework of the UNESCO programme "Bethlehem 2000". The foundation ceremony took place on April 6, 2000, under the auspices of Ms Suha Arafat. During her visit, she had an official meeting with the President of the Palestinian Authority of that time, Mr Yasser Arafat, in Ramallah. The Centre is included in the project "Chain For Peace" of the Foundation for the Child and the Family.
The same project includes the Multicultural Centre for children in Belgrade (municipality of Zemun) which was established under the auspices of UNESCO and the collaboration of the “Foundation for the Child and Family” and the “ELPIDA Association”, in order to support the children-victims of the Balkan war as well as a Surgery Centre created at the Hospital of Gracanica in Kosovo, in cooperation with the "Medecins du Monde".
She participated in the Film "Children of Peace" (a UNESCO production) with a special message, among other personalities such as Dalai Lama, Mr Kofi Annan (Nobel of Peace), Mr Shimon Peres (Nobel of Peace), Mr Yasser Arafat (Nobel of Peace), Ms Rigoberta Menchu Tum (Nobel of Peace), Mr Federico Mayor (former Director-General of UNESCO), and others.
"Marianna V. Vardinoyannis UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador"
- UNESCO Book: 60 Women Contributing to the 60 Years of UNESCO
- In 2006 Mrs. Marianna V. Vardinoyannis was included in the book 60 Women Contributing to the 60 Years of UNESCO.
- Download the whole book here
- Annual Meetings of the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors
- 2011
- 2010
- 2009
- 2008
- 2007
- 2006
- 2005
- 2004
- 2003
- 2002
- 2000
