Goodwill Ambassador

The ceremony for the official appointment of the Goodwill Ambassador for the ONE in FIVE Campaign was held on 6th May 2011 at the Representation of the European Commission in Cyprus. At the ceremony were present, the former Minister of Labour and Social Insurance, Mrs Sotiroula Charalambous, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Markos Kyprianou, the Commissioner for Children’s Rights, Mrs. Leda Koursoumba, the former Head of the Representation of the European Commission in Cyprus, Mrs. Androulla Kaminara, as well as executives from the European Commission and the Organization “Hope For Children” CRC Policy Center.

Ms. Regina Jensdottir, the Head of “Children’s Rights Policies Division” Council of Europe, in a video message highlighted the significance of this campaign and its goals, congratulating "Hope For Children" CRC Policy Center for undertaking the promotion and implementation of the campaign in Cyprus. She said: “We are extremely honored to appoint Mr.Theophanous as a Goodwill Ambassador of the “ONE in FIVE” campaign. I am sure that his appointment and commitment to the aims of the campaign will greatly help raise awareness of sexual violence in Cyprus”. Director General Mr. Joseph Varughese said “This is a historical moment for Cyprus, because it is the first time that a Cypriot is appointed as Goodwill Ambassador for Children’s Rights.” He added that the rights of children must be a political priority, and invited the Cyprus Republic to adhere to these principles during the Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2012.

Mr. Giorgos Theofanous in his speech during his appointment as a Goodwill Ambassador for the ONE in FIVE campaign spoke with great emotion about these children, the consequences of sexual abuse and the feelings they are experiencing. “The long-term consequences of children’s sexual abuse are very serious, they can negatively influence a lot of sectors of individual’s life, and, without treatment, these consequences maintained for its entire life. We are here in order to do something altogether. Let’s begin from something small! We are here, You?”

The main goals of the campaign are:

* Achieve further signature, ratification and implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (Lanzarote Convention);

* To equip children, their families/carers and societies at large with knowledge and tools to prevent and report sexual violence against children, thereby raising awareness of its extent.

The consequences of sexual violence are deeply traumatic, have duration and they can considerably influence the development of their personality. The contribution and the effort from all people for the campaign against the sexual abuse of children is essential for fully achieving its aims.

This event has received a wide media coverage; the ONE in FIVE Campaign has been presented to people in the national prime time news and many newspapers and magazines in Cyprus and Greece.