Our Presbytery’s International Peacemaker this year will be Efi Latsoudi of Greece. Efi is a human rights activist and psychologist serving refugees and asylum seekers from Africa and the Middle East. Her group Lesvos Solidarity, works to help them recover health and dignity. She is devoted to building bridges of understanding, compassion and peace between refugees and European Union citizens.
International Peacemaker Efi Latsoudi of Lesvos, Greece, recipient of the U.N.’s Nansen Award for her work with refugees, is coming to East Iowa Presbytery Sept. 23-27. The following events are free and open to the public:
Sept. 23 Saturday 1 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 310 5th St SE, Cedar Rapids, also live-streamed to the church’s YouTube channel
Sept 24 Sunday 9:45 a.m. 1st Presbyterian Church, 902 South Walnut, Mt. Pleasant (Efi will present during worship w/brunch after. All welcome, no need for RSVP.)
Sunday 6 p.m. at Blue Grass Presbyterian Church, 337 W. Lotte St., Blue Grass. You may RSVP for a light supper at BGPresCh@gmail.com.
Sept 25 Monday noon lunch with Efi at St. Andrew Presbyterian, 140 Gathering Place Lane, Iowa City RSVP pmheidger@gmail.com followed by 1:00 p.m. presentation and conversation (no need for RSVP)
Monday 6:30 p.m. Vinton Presbyterian Church, 698 1st Avenue, Vinton
Sept 26 Tuesday noon lunch and presentation at 1st Presbyterian Church, 212 Park Ave., Rowley RSVP lrossthedens@gmail.com
Tuesday 6:00 p.m. 1st Presbyterian Church, 401 Iowa Ave., Muscatine, RSVP for baked potato bar supper at 563-263-2696
Sept 27 Wednesday 11:30 lunch at 1st Presbyterian Church, 301/309 1st St. W, Mt. Vernon. RSVP at 319-895-6060
Greece
Efi Latsoudi
Psychologist and human rights activist Efi Latsoudi is one of the founders of Lesvos Solidarity, a grass-roots organization based on Lesvos Island in Greece. Efi was also the coordinator and founder of the first open, independent welcoming shelter (Pipka Camp) for refugees fleeing to Greece primarily from Africa and the Middle East. Pipka Camp operated for 8 years, until it was forcibly closed by the Greek authorities in October 2020.
Efi’s determination and commitment to advocate for the vulnerable remains strong. Lesvos Solidarity, which is focused on a strong advocacy presence for the rights of the refugees, runs housing, educational, employability, psychosocial and medical programs. The organization’s vision is to inspire society and to expand its solidarity model, which promotes equality, trust, creativity, empowerment, active participation, and respect for each other and the environment. Lesvos Solidarity’s beneficiaries are among the most vulnerable refugees hosted in camps across Lesvos, including people who suffer from serious medical conditions, victims of torture and violence, large families with children, pregnant women, newborns, LGBTQIA+ persons, single adults, and victims of shipwrecks who lost loved ones at sea.
Efi is also a filmmaker who has created short documentaries and films and written scripts for fiction films. Efi holds degrees from the University of Athens, School of Philosophy, the University of Picardi-Jules Vernes in Maitrise de Psychology Clinic and the University of Paris. In 2016, she was awarded the Nansen Award, conferred by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to those who go beyond the call of duty in helping people forcibly displaced from their homes. On September 20, 2021, Efi Latsoudi was also awarded the “Anita Augspurg Award” by the international organization WILPF (Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom) for her collective contribution and “commitment to maintaining peaceful coexistence”. Another important moment of recognition was from the International Peace Award to Lesvos Solidarity and Efi Latsoudi by the German Institute die Schwelle on May 20, 2022, in the category “Encouraging Initiatives” for the overall activity of her and Lesvos Solidarity
