International Eressos Women’s Festival 2013 [Sappho Women] – Sept 7-21

Sappho Women – International Eressos Women’s Festival

About
Sappho Women is a non-profit organization based in Skala Eressos, Lesvos Island Greece and official producer of the International Eressos Women’s Festival held in September.

Company Overview
Sappho Women is a non-profit organisation based in Skala Eressos, Lesvos Island Greece and official producer of the International Eressos Women’s Festival held in September.

The community-driven International Eressos Women’s Festival in the birthplace of poet Sappho, Skala Eressos is officially part of the non profit organization Sappho Women since September 2010. Originally envisioned, created and financed by local travel agency Sappho Travel since 2000, the festival organization feel they can develop and grow beyond their present scope under the umbrella of the Sappho Women organization.

As the Sappho Women organization develops many projects aiming to make a difference in the world of equality and visibility of women, they feel the organization of this internationally acclaimed festival is a vital step towards supporting and promoting the unity, solidarity, independence and wellbeing of women in general and the women of the Island of Lesvos in particular.

The Sappho Women organization would like to thank Sappho Travel, the businesses of Skala Eressos and all individuals who have been part of or have supported the International Eressos Women’s Festival in the past, and hope and trust they can count on their continuing support.

Description
Based on our formal formation agreement, a summary of the company’s objectives and means of achieving them are:

1) Support and promote the unity, solidarity, independence and well being of women in general and local women on the island of Lesvos in particular

2) Promote the material and spiritual empowerment of women and create funds to invest in local and regional women’s groups and organizations.

3) Promote recreational, social and economic activities among women and stimulate activities aimed at the development of skills and talents of local and international women.

4) Enter into co-operation with like-minded social groups and women’s organisations and businesses, in Greece and abroad

5) If our projects are implemented with financial assistance from third parties, we will play a monitoring, reporting, advisory and supportive role.

6) Raise awareness and promotion of our activities through media such as newspapers, radio, television and internet, on both national and international level, and through the use of a bi-lingual (Greek – English) website.

7) Leverage resources, including sponsorship and advertisement opportunities, which are used for funding and investing in local and regional women’s initiatives, and finally

8) Organize the annual women’s festival in September in the village of Skala Eressos, which from 31st May 2011 onwards will be called “International Eressos Women’s Festival”.

Our philosophy and main principles are:

a) We are dedicated to a committed partnership with all parts of the local community to bring together enthusiasts of all ages and walks of life, from all over Greece and Europe in particular, and the world in general and establish collaborative partnerships with donors, sponsors, and other organizations in order to achieve shared goals.

b) We are passionate about bringing together women from many different disciplines to share ideas and to inspire social partnerships

c) We embrace and encourage respect for diversity in our organization and amongst our partners. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, sexual orientation, or any other basis covered by local law.