“Hope For Children” CRC Policy Center achieved a new milestone in its history, the inauguration of its USA operations in New York. The establishment of the Organization in the US is a result of hard work over the last two years aiming to further grow the organization and support its initiatives that positively affect the lives of so many children. The inauguration ceremony took place at "The Union League Club" in New York.
The Organization was honored by the presence of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, the Vice-President of UNICEF, the Chief of Office of UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children, Ambassadors, Counsels, Deputy Permanent Representatives to the UN, businesspeople, academics and media representatives.
Welcoming remarks of the Ceremony were given by Ms. Christina Markides, member of the Board of Directors of “Hope For Children” CRC Policy Center USA who expressed her joy to be part of this mission and celebration of the Rights of the Child through a humanitarian organization striving to support children beyond Europe as well. The new milestone was praised by Mr. Kyriacos Papastylianou, President of the Federation of Cypriot American Organizations, during his speech congratulating Joseph Borghese, the Founder of Hope For Children and his team for creating new paths for the expansion of the valuable work the organization is doing, emphasizing that it’s the first NGO based in Cyprus expanding to the US. The event was organized with the valuable support and cooperation of the Federation.
The presentation of a video followed capturing the programs of Hope For Children, as well as important moments and recognitions of the remarkable work done by over 100 professionals.
Following, the Founder of “Hope For Children” CRC Policy Center, Mr. Joseph Borghese, and the Director of the Humanitarian Division, Ms. Andria Neocleous, joined a discussion moderated by Mr. Dimitris Ioannides, member of the Senior Advisory Board of Hope For Children, about the organization and its future plans. During the discussion, they both talked about how they envision the future of Hope For Children, how the US community can contribute to the work of the organization and what the goals of HFC USA are.
The most commemorative moment, the Unveiling of the Plaque took place with Mr. Joseph Borghese, Founder, and H.E. Dr. Michal Mlynár, Vice-President of UNICEF, followed by the remarks of H.E. Dr. Mlynár.
Closing remarks were given by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America who spoke about the importance of the work of organizations like Hope For Children for the society, and the value of addressing the needs of children in any way we can.
“Hope For Children” CRC Policy Center USA mission is to empower the presence of the Organization in the field of the protection and the promotion of the rights of the child through expansion of research, communication and fundraising initiatives beyond European borders. More specifically, the goals of HFC USA include: to serve as a hub to coordinate promotional and fundraising activities targeting private donors in the US for the support of the humanitarian programs of the organization in Cyprus; to coordinate the activities of HFC in the US through the cooperation with international agencies, universities and other stakeholders, and the participation in research and development projects that aim to exchange and identify best practices in the field of child protection between the EU and the US. The establishment of “Hope For Children” CRC Policy Center USA was achieved with the financial assistance of the Patti and Everett B. Birch Foundation.
