ESTABLISHMENT OF A NON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION BY THE PATRIARCHATE OF ALEXANDRIA

    On the initiative and with the blessing of His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, regarding the creation of a Patriarchal Organization utilizing European developmental and humanistic programmes and following the completion of the anticipated procedures in collaboration with te Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a Civic Non Profit Company, having the legal character of the Greek Civil Code, named “LIGHT OF AFRICA” and the distinctive title “LIGHT OF AFRICA”.

    The company is a legal character of private law, public benefit, non profit in character, and under the conditions of the orders 60 and 741-784 of the Greek Civil Code, as well as by the articles of its approved Constitution by the Athens Court of the First Instance. It is a Non Governmental Organization (N.G.O.) according to articles N. 2731/1999 and the rest of the laws existing at the time which are or may be foreseen by the N.G.O. in Greece and in the European Union.

    Members of the N.G.O. are: His Eminence George, Metropolitan of Zimbabwe, Mrs Marianna Vardinogiannis, Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO, Lady of the Patriarchal Throne of Alexandria, Honourable Mr Takis Arapoglou, President of the National Bank of Greece, Christos Zerefos, University Professor-Academic, Archon Great Teacher of the Patriarchal Throne and Alexandros Sarakakis, businessman, who is the Chairman of the Executive Council of the N.G.O.

    The basic aim of the N.G.O. “LIGHT OF AFRICA” is the carrying out of humanistic, social, spiritual, cultural, educational, food provisional and developmental work to the people of the countries of the African Continent, in order to contribute to their financial, social and spiritual development and for the combating of poverty.

    Also covered within the framework of the above-mentioned basic aim of the Company, will also be the areas of health and social welfare, the necessitites for life, the basic social structures, basic and occupational education and training, spiritual instruction, building and
strengthening of institutions, the defence of human rights and religious freedom, equality between genders, women’s access to health, education, finance and vocational restitution, the preservation and maintenance of historical, cultural and religious monuments and buildings, as well as dialogue between and cultural approach of countries.

    Within the frameowrk of the above named aimes the Company will strive to undertake international cooperation with credible agents in the communities (N.G.O.s, local developmental agencies, Ministries, University Institutions, International, European and African Organizations, mass agencies such as corporations, sociaties, associations, as well as private and business groups with initiatives on international, European and local level).

    The N.G.O. “LIGHT OF AFRICA” is under the supervision of and in collaboration with the Patriarchal Directorate of Developmental Works of the Throne, whose Director is Arcimandrite Panteleimon Arathymos, Dean of the Holy Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Alexandria. This Patriarchal Directorate will be the liaison between the N.G.O.and the Ecclesiastical Administrations and the organizations of the ancient Patriarchate.