from the Association of Women of Thessalonica–Macedonia “in Athens”
7 March 2016, Megaron – the Athens Concert Hall
PRESS RELEASE
“The economic crisis can be overcome. The environmental crisis and the crisis in values which are destroying everything are the result of short-sighted policies from leaders who are oblivious to the real dangers to humanity. Less than 1% of the world’s population controls over 55% of the world’s wealth and power. In Biopolitics, we hope to bring these people together to take a seat around a table and to convince them that they are the only ones who can save bios on our planet. Times of crisis can also become opportunities for change. The response of the Athenian democracy to the Persian threat was to build the Parthenon. The time is ripe for those in charge to take responsibility for their actions. We have the duty to save all life for future generations. Even if there are millions of other planets that posses bios, we are still obligated to save bios on our own planet. And we can achieve this by drawing positive energy from this beautiful and unique gift and by eliminating every negative action and thought.”
With these inspiring words, Agni Vlavianos Arvanitis, President and Founder of the Biopolitics International Organisation, accepted the Woman of the Year award from the Association of Women of Thessalonica–Macedonia “in Athens.” The award ceremony was held on March 7, 2016, on the occasion of International Women’s Day, at the Athens Concert Hall (Megaro Mousikis). The event, which met with unprecedented success, was organized by the Association’s President, Kaiti Gakis Kapsis and facilitated by journalist Magda Tsengos.
Kaiti Gakis Kapsis welcomed the audience on behalf of all the members of the Association of Women of Thessalonica–Macedonia “in Athens” and highlighted the contribution of Agni Vlavianos Arvanitis to the common good, as well as her pioneering and time spanning achievements, which transcend national boundaries and have rightfully given her a prominent place among global leaders who have contributed to peace and wellbeing for humanity.
The following speaker, Maria Gianniris, President of the Panathinaiki Panhellenic Women’s Organisation, also highlighted Agni Vlavianos Arvanitis’ role as a source of light and hope for the future, and placed special emphasis on her unique contribution as Goodwill Ambassador for Autism.
The next speaker to take the floor was former U.N. Assistant Secretary General Sotiris Mousouris, who particularly stressed her dignity and ethos, and hailed her as one of the greatest environmnetal champions in Greece and internationally.
Another close friend, Andreas Zaimis, former Cabinet Minister, made special reference to the work and vision of Agni Vlavianos Arvanitis with regard to her humanitarian efforts.
The event’s keynote speaker was Prof. Christos Efthymiopoulos, Principal Researcher at the Center for Astronomy and Applied Mathematics at the Academy of Athens and a close colleague of Agni Vlavianos Arvanitis’, who spoke about his own experiences at her side, and highlighted the richness of her work and achievements.
The event concluded with Eleftherios Misirgis on the piano.
The award ceremony was attended by many distinguished personalities and people of influence including, among others: Louka Katseli, Chairman and CEO of the National Bank of Greece; Rodi Kratsa, President of the Board of The Konstantinos Karamanlis Institute for Democracy; Theodoros Fortsakis, Member of Parliament and f. Rector of the University of Athens; Costas Bakouris, Chair of Transparency International Greece; Kaity Tzitzikostas, President of the Hellenic National Commission for UNESCO; Apostolos Kratsas, f. Cabinet Minister; the Ambassador of Jordan, Fawwaz Qasim Al-Eitan; the Ambassador of Ukraine, Volodymyr Shkurov; industrialist Manuela Vardinoyannis; Ambassador Panayotis Economou; Ambassador Ioannis Bourlogiannis Tsangaridis; ship-owner Andreas Potamianos; the President of “Greek Women in Tourism” Eirini Vassilopoulou; the Chairman of the Union of Greek Press Correspondents Abroad Gogo Hatzinikolaou; Sofia Voultepsi, Member of Parliament; Ioannis Tzen, President of the Hellenic–Russian Union of Friendship and Cooperation; George Papaioannou, Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Athens; George Enepekides; Mary Mouzakis from the Mouzakis Group of Enterprises; ICAP Managing Director Dimitris Maniatakis; the Chairman of the Friends of European Cultural Center of Delphi, Dimitra Philippou; the Chairman of DESMOS, Lena Papalexopoulos; the Chairman of MEDASSET Lily Venizelos; Professor Jenny Pange from the University of Ioannina; Composer Iakovos Dakoutros; the Director of Art & Culture a.k.a. Ltd Cyprus & Dubai Alexandra Gika; the President of Global Thinkers Forum Elizabeth Filippouli; and, Professor Alexander Shishkin from the St. Petersburg State University for Plant Polymers, who also delivered a message from the Rector.
Professor Agni Vlavianos Arvanitis, President and Founder of the Biopolitics International Organisation (B.I.O.), has, for the past 30 years, promoted international cooperation for the protection of the unique gift of bios – life – on our planet. Through her pioneer concept of “biopolicy” she has brought together leaders from every corner of globe in a common effort to save the environment and mitigate climate change. For her unparalleled contribution and achievements, she has received numerous international honors and distinctions and has been many times nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
For more information, please visit the website at www.biopolitics.gr