Today, the President of the General Assembly of the United Nations announced the decision to award the Nelson Mandela Prize to a Greek woman, Mrs Marianna Vardinoyannis.
The Mandela Prize was established by the UN General Assembly in June 2014 to honour the life of Nelson Mandela, the great humanitarian politician and human rights champion, and his legacy of reconciliation, political transition and social transformation. The Prize is awarded every five years to two distinguished figures, one man and one woman, who have dedicated their lives to the service of humanity, embodying the highest values and promoting the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Dendias, made the following statement:
“It is with great pleasure that I was informed, in my capacity as Minister of Foreign Affairs, by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, of the decision of the selection committee of the United Nations to award the Nelson Mandela Prize to a Greek woman, Mrs Marianna Vardinoyannis.
This uniquely special prize is awarded to just one woman and one man every five years, and is named after one of the most iconic figures of the 20th and 21st century.
Nelson Mandela is a symbol of the eternal struggle for justice, equality and human dignity — not only in his country, South Africa, but throughout the world.
The Prize is awarded in recognition of the recipients’ work in the service of humanity and the principles championed by the UN.
This decision is therefore a tremendous honour, naturally for the recipient, Mrs Vardinoyannis, but also for our country, Greece.
I would like to express my warmest congratulations to the recipient for this highest of accolades.
I wholeheartedly hope that her example of social contribution and support for her fellow person is an inspiration to us all, particularly during the present circumstances, which are trying for humanity as a whole.”
July 17, 2020