International Seminar "Women in the Service of Peace"
June 2004
The International Seminar “Women in the Service of Peace” organized at UNESCO Headquarters on June 2004, on the initiative of H.E. Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak and Mrs. Marianna V. Vardinoyannis, aimed to "highlight the important role that women play in support of peace and the need for them to be recognized as full partners in the processes of decision-making and political negotiations"
For Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak, who co-chaired the opening ceremony, this seminar has a particular importance, since "Today more than ever, it is necessary to advocate more important roles for women in the promoting the values of peace and tolerance at the heart of our societies. Since the obstacles to peace are the results of human decisions and actions and not of pure coincidence, they can be overcome by the vital efforts of individuals."
In September 2002, Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak brought together in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, various celebrities, peace advocates and representatives of international non-governmental organizations, the United Nations and UN System organizations, agencies and programmes in order to reflect on and recommend concrete actions that women can undertake to support peace. This conference, entitled "Women For Peace, Dialogue for Action", gave birth to the “Women's International Peace Movement”.
The Director-General of UNESCO, Mr. Koichiro Matsuura, noted that "The consequences of armed conflict affect women and girls, in particular, the most socially vulnerable" while these "women and girls, in conflict zones, often assume the entire responsibility of the family". He stressed that "UNESCO is working actively to promote women's actions in favour of conflict resolution and gender equality", these being priorities that are set out in the Organization's Medium-Term Strategy for 2002-2007. UNESCO has also been designated by the General Assembly of the United Nations as lead agency for coordinating the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence (2001 -2010).
After speeches given by Mrs Suzanne Mubarak, Mrs Marianna V. Vardinoyannis and Mr Koichiro Matsuura, Dr Boutros Boutros-Ghali, former Secretary-General of the United Nations, spoke on the theme of "Peace-keeping and the role of women". Many other speeches followed.
Mrs. Vardinoyannis said during her speech :
«Women have always been extremely sensitive, through their very nature, to the question of Peace. It is no wonder that already since the 5th century B.C., in Aristophanes’ play, war stops only when a woman, Lysistrate, takes the initiative in organizing women, placing them in the service of peace, in order for the war to end.
Today, women play the leading part in the peace movement. However, their voices do not always reach the decision-making centers, and that is because women do not participate in the decision-making as much as they should do. It is obvious that, a lot more work needs to be done, so that women can become the main participators in the peace-keeping operations. At this point, I would like to underline the great contribution of great supporters such as H.E. Dr. Boutros Boutros Ghali, towards the empowerment of this role of women. Finally, with the Resolution 1325 of the United Nations this right of women was endorsed and recognised. Stress was laid on the significance of their role. These are the principles furthered by the International Movement and they are part of its basic strategy.
The Conference “Women in the Service of Peace” constitutes a bridge between the first International Women’s Middle East Movement for peace, and the international community which is represented by the outstanding personalities who honour us today with their presence. We are all here today with one common aim : the creation of a powerful alliance against war, violence and the violation of human rights, and for peaceful dialogue and understanding among nations. An alliance in which women will play the leading role this time, and the Women’s International Peace Movement is ready to contribute to this effort, leaded by Suzanne Mubarak.
Mrs Mubarak is undeniably an Ambassador of culture and humanity, both for her country and for the international community. With her work she has made history and will go down in history, since she has been the driving force behind so many extraordinary achievements. She has spoken to the hearts of all; as a champion of peace; as a fighter for the rights of children and women, for the eradication of illiteracy and the equal rights of boys and girls to education, for the health of women and children, for the support of children with special needs, for social development and the protection of culture, heritage and environment. Her many awards are a small token of the international recognition of her work.
Her activity embraces more than 10 institutions of a social and educational nature, of which she is both founder and President, but for which she is, above all, a tireless worker. She is the spirit behind the revival of the Library of Alexandria, which unites culture’s past and present; a beacon of learning, research, art, technology and dialogue among peoples. At the same time her presence and participation, as official representative of Egypt, in more than 25 international conferences and meetings, has contributed to our hopes for a better world.
Now, with the Women’s International Peace Movement, she calls on the women of the whole world to lend their support to the struggle for Peace everywhere. United, to raise their voices against violence and prejudice in any form.
One example of this mission will be presented here today. As organisers we wanted to make heard the voices of women who have worked in their countries under difficult conditions, and who succeeded where many others have failed. Women whose personal stories set an example of the power of women, of their will and courage. They emphasise the fact that we are all links in the same chain, responsible, each one from his or her position, for our united world.
At this point I would like to thank the President of the Movement, H.E. Mrs Suzanne Mubarak, for the honour she bestowed on me by asking me to organise this conference, and the opportunity she gave me to contribute to this work in which I believe so strongly.
I would also like to thank the Director-General of UNESCO Mr. Koichiro Matsuura, who from the first moment has given us his undivided support. »
- 2011
- UNESCO Heads of States Forum
- There is HOPE!
- Cultural Heritage - Climate Change - The teacher's role - Presentation of the book "The country of two suns"
- International Women's Day - The Educational Institute AKMI IVT honours Marianna V. Vardinoyannis.
- The "Pancretan Association of Athens" honours Marianna V. Vardinoyannis.
- Marianna V. Vardinoyannis "Woman of the year 2011".
- Excellence Awards, Greeks who are Role Models for the New Generation.
- Presentation of the Greek publication of Mrs Marianna V. Vardinoyannis' book "Labouring with the Challenges of Female Identity: Insights into Minoan Society".
- 2010
- Presentation of the book "Labouring with the challenges of female identity: Insights into the Minoan society" at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris.
- The Global Forum against human trafficking.
- Marianna V. Vardinoyannis - ELPIDA Children's Oncology Unit.
- Makistos smiles again!
- 83000 signatures for the "1GOAL: Education for All" campaign.
- 10th Annual Meeting of UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors
- An event for the "1GOAL: Education for All" campaign.
- International campaign supporting Greece.
- The international "1GOAL: Education for All" campaign.
- First meeting of the Friends of the Aswan Heart Centre.
- 2009
- Global Campaign for the Climate Justice.
- Inauguration of the new Acropolis Museum.
- Declaration of the International Conference "Climate Change and Challenges for the Future Generations".
- International Conference "Climate Change and Challenges for the Future Generations".
- International Conference «Crossing Borders to Protect the Children of the World» and the Cairo Declaration.
- International Conference in Bahrain "Human Trafficking at the Crossroads of East- West" and the Manama Declaration.
- Summer Deaflympics - Athens 2013.
- 2008
- The Vienna Forum against human trafficking.
- Mothers - Olympic Champions of Love.
- Universal call for the Climate Change.
- The 4th Global Youth Employment Summit on the fight against poverty and unemployment, in Azerbaijan and the Baku Declaration.
- The appeal of Ancient Olympia.
- The “Alexandria Center for Hellenistic Studies” in the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
- Marianna V. Vardinoyannis "Great Lady of the Patriarchal Throne of Alexandria".
- 2007
- 2nd Workshop on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflicts.
- The Chart of Paris against cancer.
- The first Oncological Hospital for children in Greece.
- Lecture of the H.E. Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak in Athens, Greece.
- Fairuz Concert in Athens, Greece.
- International Youth Forum for Peace in Sharm El Sheikh.
- Global Humanitarian Forum.
- Makistos smiles again.
- 2006
- Round Table " The Business Community against Human Trafficking".
- Fundraising Dinner to support the “End Human Trafficking Now” global campaign.
- The "Athens Principles" in Davos.
- International Center for Peace Studies.
- Protecting youth from drugs.
- The Multicultural Children Centre “Athina” in Belgrade.
- 1st Workshop on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflicts.
- Marianna V. Vardinoyannis – Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur.
- 2005
- Helping the children of Palestine- Fundraising dinner in Cairo.
- The UN Millennium Development Goals and Civil Society.
- The Declaration of 22 Greek organisations on the UN Millennium Development Goals.
- 2004
- Exhibition of Traditional and Contemporary Handicrafts from Jordan.
- International Conference “Women in the Service of Peace” in Paris.
- International Conference “Women defending Peace” in Geneva.
- 2003
- 2nd European Conference of Legal Practitioners on juvenile matters.
- Exhibition "Breaking the Veils", Exhibition of women artists from the Islamic World, at UNESCO.
- Exhibition “The Unity of an Unique Monument: the Parthenon”, at UNESCO.
- The Mentor Awards.
- Awards to mothers.
- 2002
- Bibliotheca Alexandrina. A wonder of the modern world.
- Mother: A Symbol of life, hope and peace.
- Speak Truth to Power: Human Rights Defenders who change our world.
- Contemporary Societies - Multicultural Co-existence- The position of the child.
- The protection of the World Cultural nad Natural Heritage.
- 2001
- The child: victim of war and messenger of peace.
- 2000
- A Model Area for creative activities in the Municipality of Ano Liosia.
- Mother: A Symbol of life, hope and peace.
- Children: Symbol of hope, will, courage.
- The Meeting of Athens and Delphi on Children and Peace.
- The Declaration of Delphi on Children and Peace.
- 1st International Conference for the Culture of Peace.
- Early Childhood Resource and Training Center in Bethlehem.
- 1999
- By the side of mothers and children behind bars.
- Juvenile disappearance and abduction.
- The Hague Appeal for Peace.
- International Conference “Family and Children in the European society of the 21st Century” in Paris.
- Support for the children - victims of war in the Balkans.
- By the side of the earthquake victims.
- International Conference “Sexual abuse of children and paedophilia in the Internet”.
- 1998
- A three-point shot for a life.
- European Forum "FAMILY - EUROPE - 21ST CENTURY: Vision and Institutions".
- Family and the mass media.
- Presentation of the Minutes of the European Forum "FAMILY - EUROPE - 21ST CENTURY: Vision and Institutions"
- 1997
- International Conference “Priority to the Dignity and Safety of the children in Europe”.
- By the side of the children of Xanthi.
- Embracing children suffering from AIDS.
- The International Convention on Children's Rights and the role of the European Union.