On Wednesday, March 13, 2024, the national delegates of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese to the United Nations were welcomed to the Archdiocese Headquarters by Archbishop Elpidophoros of America.
“This program provides a platform for young women to address issues related to the rights of women everywhere, their individual rights and their beliefs,” the archbishop told the girl delegates. “I would like to extend my warm and sincere congratulations to all of you, our daughter delegates and to the parents who raised them, and to convey to them my special and paternal blessing for this wonderful adventure, in which you are establishing substantial relationships and businesses striking.
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Girls Delegates to the United Nations program was launched by Niki Devaris two years ago as an initiative of the Department of Interorthodox, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations, with the support and guidance of the Director of the department, Rev. Nicolas Kazarian and with six self-funded participants from the archdiocesan district, during the 66th Annual Commission on the Status of Women. The Commission on the Status of Women is an annual meeting for countries that are part of the United Nations to discuss and set goals related to the rights of women and girls. This year’s official theme is “Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by combating poverty and strengthening institutions and financing from a gender perspective.”
The delegates had the opportunity to ask questions of Bishop Elpidophoros and discuss their time so far in New York. “This is an incredible opportunity for us as young women,” Markella of Eerie, Pennsylvania, told His Eminence. “Being able to take all of our gifts that God has given us and extend them to others who may not have the same opportunities is a blessing. We thank you so much for this opportunity.
The archdiocesan program expanded this year, with generous funding from a Leadership 100 grant, to become a national program with twenty-four delegates from across the United States, including California, Texas, Utah, Michigan, Florida and Colorado, to name a few. The Greek Orthodox community is the only religious group represented in this way at the United Nations. This program provides a platform for young women to address issues related to women’s rights around the world, their individual rights and their beliefs, through the United Nations Greek Orthodox Archdiocese.
On their first day here, the girls visited the Permanent Mission of Cyprus, the Permanent Mission of the Holy See, and attended various events at the United Nations headquarters. More information to come on the Girl Delegates’ stay in New York.
Photos: GOARCH/Dimitrios Panagos
