Rotary International President 2025-26 Mário César Martins de Camargo, accompanied by his wife, rtn Denise, visited Greece from 4 to 6 December 2024. This visit was an excellent opportunity for Rotarians to meet President Elect Mario, discuss with him and convey his vision.
Our District prepared a rich program indicative of its activities and its members. On Wednesday December 4th, DG Nikos Margaropoulos, PDG Mari Delivoria and Aide DGE Stefanos Anastasopoulos
and PAG Rachel Topalidou, welcomed Rotary International President 2025-26 Mario and his wife Denise at the airport.
Followed a short lunch and a tour of downtown Athens.
On the evening of the same day, a gala dinner organized by RC of Halandri at the Athenian Club, on the occasion of the official planned visit of DG to the Club. The event was graced by the President of Rotary International 2025-26, Mario César Martins de Camargo, and the ambassadors of Brazil and the Philippines, reinforcing the spirit of unity and international cooperation that Rotary promotes. A large number of Rotarians from many clubs in the District attended the speeches of DG Nikos and Rotary International President 2025-26 Mario in a warm atmosphere of Rotary fellowship, while new members were inducted and customary gifts were offered. The dinner was an opportunity to strengthen bonds and celebrate the values of friendship and community service.
The next day, Thursday, December 5th, a visit was organized at
ELEPAP (Hellenic Society for the Protection and Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons) where the important work of RC Athinai, often with the assistance of other Clubs and the Rotary Foundation through its programs, was presented to Rotary International President 2025-26 Mario César Martins de Camargo.
Followed a guided tour to the Acropolis Museum, by rtn and tour guide Dora Spachi. After lunch, the Camargo couple
visited Acropolis accompanied by Aide DGE Stefanos and PAG Rachel.
Next step was the visit to the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family, where they met Minister Sophia Zacharaki and had a fruitful discussion on Rotary's contribution to society.
The day ended with the official planned visit of Governor Nikos to RC Kifissia Kastri, where, after DG's speech, Rotary International President 2025-26 Mario stressed the importance of Rotary in the challenges faced by the world today. Followed the induction of five members and offer of gifts.
On Friday December 6th, at Thessaloniki airport, Rotary International President 2025-26 Mario and his wife Denise were welcomed by a delegation of Rotarians from RC's of Thessaloniki East, Kalamaria, Panorama, Metropolitan and Alexander the Great-Greece.
After a live interview with a TV station where the Rotary International President 2025-26 Mario gave a short greeting, followed the visit to the University General Hospital of Thessaloniki AHEPA. The administration of the hospital presented to us the important and regular contributions of Rotary Clubs to the hospital.
After lunch with the representatives of above mentioned Rotary Clubs in a restaurant opposite the White Tower, followed a tour of the city having as theme "In the footsteps of Apostle Paul", with visit to Eptapyrgion, the Church of St. Demetrius and the Roman Forum.
In the evening, the Rotary International President 2025-26 Mario and his wife rtn Denise, DG Nikos and the Aides attended RC's Metropolitan event at the Officers'Club, which was dedicated to women's entrepreneurship. An Award of Recognition to professional women took place. In their speeches, both Governor Nikos and Rotary International President 2025-26 emphasized Rotary's support for women and that entrepreneurship is a key pillar of social development. The event celebrated the essential role of women in society and was a milestone for strengthening the ties between Rotary and the Greek community.
Same evening we returned to Athens and next morning
we said goodbye to our new good friends Mario and Denise at the airport.
Rotary Year we have the special honor, for the first time, of being invited to host the Rotary International President 2025-26 , Mário César Martins de Camargo, with his wife rtn Denise.
On December 5th, it was organized in honor of RI President 2025-26 Mário César Martins de Camargo, a visit to ELEPAP (Hellenic Society of Protection and Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons) , for the unveiling of the honorary inscription of RC Athinai, which is a Founding Member of the Society, in the presence of Governor Nikos Margaropoulos, Governor Elect Stefanos Anastasopoulos, RC Athinai President rtn Anastasios Ballas, as well as other rotary leaders.
ELEPAP is the first non-profit charitable association in Greece, which for 90 years has offered rehabilitation services to more than 110,000 children with disabilities. RC Athinai, Founding Member of the Society, for the 4th consecutive year "bends" over the needs of the Motion & Gait laboratory.
