Helena Paparizou named first UNICEF Ambassador in Greece
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ATHENS 16 NOVEMBER 2021: The Greek and internationally recognized singer, Helena Paparizou, has been announced today as the first United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Ambassador in Greece. The announcement was made a few days ahead of World Children's Day, celebrated every year on November 20, at a special media event held at Dionysos Zonars, Athens, in the presence of journalists and representatives of UNICEF Greece Country Office.
As a UNICEF Ambassador, Helena Paparizou will contribute to raising awareness and informing the public about the protection of children's rights in Greece, and will support the Organization’s work to ensure a better future for every child, young and old in the country through the implementation of targeted national programmes and actions.
"It is a great honor but also a huge responsibility for me to become the first member of UNICEF’s Ambassadors Programme in Greece, supporting this way the United Nations agency's work in our country for every child," said Helena Paparizou.
"I look forward to meeting as many children and young people as possible, listening to their stories and helping to make their voices heard. Unfiltered. We must put our children and youth first. Where they deserve to be. Not because children are our future. Yes, it certainly is. But children are children TODAY, and TODAY we have a responsibility to give them the opportunity to live a carefree childhood. "No violence, no exclusions, no bullying in and out of school, with dignity and care."
Luciano Calestini, UNICEF’s Representative in Greece stated:
"We have the great pleasure to welcome Helena to the UNICEF family as the first Ambassador of the Organization in Greece. Helena is a prominent personality both in our country and internationally, who has stood out all these years not only for her innate talent, but also for her prestige and her special and much loved personality.
"I am sure that she will use her passion, devotion and great influence on the Greek public to promote and defend the rights of vulnerable children and young people in our country, thus contributing to a better present and future for every child.
UNICEF Ambassadors are important personalities who contribute to the work of the Organization through their reputation and prestige in their field aiming to ensure and protect the rights of children and young people.
UNICEF’s Country Office in Greece officially opened in November 2020, marking a new chapter in the Organization's cooperation with our country. The Office is already working with Ministries, agencies for the rights of the child, the private sector, academia, the media and the general public to achieve common results as well as raise public awareness on issues related to children's rights in Greece.
The 5-year National Programme of UNICEF’s Country Office in Greece will be officially announced in early 2022, guided by the country's national strategy, European child protection guidelines, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Global Sustainable Development Goals, giving priority to areas with significant impact on children such as education, child protection reform and the fight against poverty and violence.
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About UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.
For more information about UNICEF and its work for children in Greece, visit www.unicef.org/greece.
