Yesterday, June 5, the annual board of the International Olympic Truce Center was unanimously taken by the decision to take over the duties of the president for the next four years, the former Vice President of the Board of Directors, former prime minister. George A. Papandreousucceeding in this position the outgoing President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach.

The International Center for Olympic Truce (DEKO) was founded in July 2000, on a joint initiative of Greece and the International Olympic Committee, turning the Olympic movement to promote the principles of peace into tangible action. The initiative took the first time in 1998, with the Greek government’s proposal to members of the International Olympic Committee, for the institutional revival of the Olympic Truce in the new millennium. In a historic decision in December 1999, the International Olympic Committee announced the establishment of the International Olympic Truce Center, in collaboration with Greece.

The mission of the International Olympic Truce Center is to promote Olympic values, peace, friendship and cultivate international understanding. In particular, the DEKO aims to comply with the Olympic Truce, seeking to cease all hostilities during the Olympics and beyond. Compliance with the Olympic Truce requires awakening consciousness, motivating leaders in action, mobilizing the promotion of Olympic ideals and educating young people according to the principles of Olympism.
The revival of ancient Greek tradition also signifies modern struggles with this sacred purpose. That is, the wider and long -term goal of creating and constantly promoting a peace culture, based on respect for human rights and the harmonious coexistence and prosperity of nations.

George Papandreou has been an active supportive supportive support for the Olympic movement through his primitive roots and ideals. It has contributed decisively to the center’s efforts to form important international initiatives to promote the Olympic Truce.
Through his new role, he will continue to highlight the great power of sport and culture as well as the noble emblem for the cultivation of values, behaviors, initiatives and actions that unite instead of dividing, favor reconciliation, the rule of law, and the dialogue to embrace a culture of peace.

In the current subversive international context that dominates active conflicts, geopolitical tensions, wars and blatant human rights violations, the need to revive this ancient Greek tradition is even more urgent through the condemnation of all forms of violence and armed conflict.