Marianna Vardinogiannis

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Marianna Vardinogiannis
Personal details
Born	Marianna Bournakis Athens, Greece
Nationality	Greek
Residence	Ekali, Athens, Greece
Alma mater	University of Denver
Occupation	Unesco Vardinogiannis Foundation[1]

Marianna Vardinogiannis (Greek: Μαριάννα Βαρδινογιάννη, née Μπουρνάκη Bournaki) married to Greek shipping magnate Vardis Vardinogiannis, is a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador^[2] and an activist for the rights of children and the family, and against child sexual abuse via her Foundation for the Child and the Family. She has been the President of the Elpida (English: Hope) Association of friends of children with cancer.

Early life, education and family[]

Marianna Vardinogiannis was born in Greece (1943) ^[3] and raised in Athens. She studied Economics at the University of Denver in Colorado after her graduation from a high school in Athens. She is married to Vardis Vardinogiannis and they have five children.

International and regional activities[]

Marianna Vardinogiannis began her activities as a member of various organizations, associations and philanthropic organizations, from which she has fought for international peace and global solidarity, although her primary focus has been mainly on the problems of children : health, education, social welfare and poverty, child abuse and exploitation.

She has developed strong relationships with several international personalities, such as Queen Rania of Jordan, Suzanne Mubarak, several networks, collaborations and organizations such as focusing on the establishment of a culture of peace in the world.

In 2013 Marianna Vardinogiannis joined the Nizami Ganjavi International Center Board along with Ismail Serageldin, Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Tarja Halonen, Suleyman Demirel, Roza Otunbayeva, Ambassador Walter Fust and Federico Mayor Zaragoza. It is a cultural, non-profit, non-political organization dedicated to the memory of Persian poet Nizami Ganjavi, the study and dissemination of his works, the promotion of the principles embodied in his writings, the advancement of culture and creative expression, and the promotion of learning, dialogue, tolerance and understanding between cultures and people.

Elpida Children's Oncology Hospital[]

On 14 October 2010, the Elpida (Hope) Children's Oncology Hospital (located in Athens, Greece), was inaugurated and opened to the public. Elpida, which is Vardinogiannis' lifetime goal, focuses on the care of children with cancer.

Awards and honors[]

• Légion d'Honneur. Title conferred in 2006 by the French Republic.^[4] Title of Officier conferred in 2015.^[5]
• Golden Cross of the Order of Beneficence by the Hellenic Republic^[6]
• The 2020 Nelson Mandela Prize by the United Nations General Assembly^[7]

See also[]

• Vardinogiannis Foundation

References[]

External links[]

• Ambassador of Good Will Marianna Vardinoyannis on the official Website of U.N.E.S.C.O. (in English) - (in French)
• Official Website of Elpida Children's Oncology Hospital (in Greek) - (in English)