Marianna Vardinoyannis is an UNESCO advocate and an active personality in both regional and international level that fights for the rights of children and the family, and she is known for her combats against the sexual abuse of children, via the Foundation for the Child and the Family which was created by her. Also, Marianna Vardinoyannis, in recognition of her contribution and her efforts to create a Europe of Citizens, was distinguished as Woman of Europe. She has been the President of the ELPIDA (which in Greek language

Greek language

Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...

 means "Hope") association of friends of children with cancer.

Early life, education and family

Marianna Vardinoyannis was born Greece and raised in Athens. She studied Economics at the Denver University of Colorado

Colorado

Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...

 after her graduation from a high school in Athens

Athens

Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...

. She is married to Vardis Vardinogiannis

Vardis Vardinogiannis

Vardis Vardinoyannis is a Greek oil tycoon. Born in 1933 in Episkopi, Rethymno, he is the chairman and controlling shareholder of Motor Oil Hellas and Vegas Oil and Gas. He is the brother of Yiorgos Vardinogiannis, husband of Marianna Vardinoyannis and father of Giannis Vardinogiannis.-References:...

 and they have 5 children.

International and regional activities

Marianna Vardinoyannis, begun her actions as a member in various organizations, associations and beneficiary institutes, from where she fought for the international peace and global solidarity, although her primary focus was on the problems most of the children of the world deal with: the children's health, the education, social welfare and against poverty, children's abuse and exploitation.

She has developed strong relationships with several international personalities, such as Queen Rania of Jordan, Suzanne Mubarak

Suzanne Mubarak

Suzanne Mubarak is married to the former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and was First Lady of Egypt until his ouster on 11 February 2011.-Early life and education:...

, several networks, co-operations and organizations like Global Coalition Women Defending Peace focusing on the establishment of a culture of peace in the world.

The first Children Oncological Hospital

On 14 October 2010, the ELPIDA (Hope) Oncological Hospital For Children was inaugurated and opened to the public, which is among the first hospitals of its kind to be built in Europe; it is located in Athens. The Oncological Hospital For Children is Marianna Vardinoyannis' lifetime goal, and focuses on the care of children with cancer, and is equipped with the most advanced technology for cancer treatment available today in the world.

External links

• UNESCO Advocates – Marianna Vardinoyannis