-
.
- Ελληνικά
The strongest element of social cohesion, since the origins of human civilization, has been and is none other than solidarity. This innate sense of responsibility that governs man for his fellow man. Responsibility to care for the support of all those who are suffering and struggling to cope with the difficulties of life. Responsibility for the betterment of the world, of society, of all those less fortunate fellow human beings.
The Red Cross has for many, many years, on an international level since the distant 1859, when Henry Dunant envisioned its creation, assumed an important part of this responsibility. The largest, I would say, share of responsibility. And all of us are here tonight to support the Cyprus Red Cross for the pleasing and multifaceted work it performs.
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you tonight to the Presidential Palace, to the Red Cross event in support of the Social Welfare Programme of the Nicosia Branch. A programme that is part of the broader policy of the Cyprus Red Cross and aims to provide practical and effective support to our vulnerable compatriots without discrimination and segregation - and this is important - because human suffering and misery has no colour, gender, age, religion or political ideology.
In this very context, the Red Cross is a steadfast beacon in the challenges of everyday life, a steadfast, stable support for our society at all levels. And we cannot but praise the people who have made it their lifelong goal to build it, to strengthen it and, ultimately, to rightfully establish it as the largest international movement, the most important humanitarian organization on the globe. The same applies to the Cyprus Red Cross in our country. For this reason, please allow me to express my unlimited appreciation, my absolute respect and my most heartfelt thanks first of all to Mrs Fotini Papadopoulou, who - as we all know - has dedicated her whole "being" to this universal human cause. Thank you very much Mrs Papadopoulou.
I would also like to address a big thank you to all of you who, with your presence here, support the efforts of the Cyprus Red Cross. Of course, it would be a great omission for me not to congratulate and thank the organizers of tonight's event, especially my very good friend Marina Dimadi, President of the Nicosia Branch of the Red Cross and all those who contributed so that tonight's event could take place. You are setting an example and towards you, as a State, but also me personally, we have the obligation to support you and further strengthen the effort so that you can continue your work unhindered.
Let us therefore enjoy tonight's event with the wish and the promise that the Red Cross will continue to be man's strong social ally in the fight against any difficulties.
(PM/EP/EXP)
Contents of this article including associated images are owned by PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source
