Lora Pappa
PRESIDENT
Lora Pappa, Founder, President and CEO of METAdrasi, has studied International Relations at the Institut de Hautes Etudes Internationales et du Développement (IHEID). In 2016, she was awarded from IHEID the first ever Alumna of the Year Award.
Since the early 1990s, Lora Pappa’s main interest and focus of work relates to the reception and integration of refugees and migrants. Through all her extensive experience in the field, Lora Pappa was aiming to find the best possible ways for consolidating efforts and facilitating life conditions of refugees and asylum-seekers, and, particularly, unaccompanied minors. In 2010, after seven years as a part of the UNHCR and fifteen years working with NGOs and the National Youth Foundation, Lora Pappa founded NGO METAdrasi – Action for Migration and Development, in order to cover crucial gaps through innovative intervention.
In 2015, Lora Pappa was awarded the North South Prize of the Council of Europe for her outstanding work in promoting solidarity, democracy and human rights.In 2016, she was honoured by the President of the Republic of Portugal with the title of Grand Officer of the Order of Freedom. In 2017, she was awarded the “Legion of Honour” decoration by the French state.
METADRASI DISTINCTIONS
- Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize 2019 – METAdrasi was honoured with the world’s largest annual humanitarian prize, for its innovative approach to welcoming refugees and protecting unaccompanied children (Acceptance speech by Lora Pappa)
- The North-South Prize 2015 of the Council of Europe awarded to the president of METAdrasi Lora Pappa, for the outstanding work in promoting solidarity, democracy and human rights.
- PILnet’s European Pro Bono Awards 2016: First Prize in the Award for Exemplary Partnership in the Public Interest – METAdrasi was recognized for its cooperation with the American law firm Reed Smith for offering free legal assistance to beneficiaries of international protection in Greece
- Collective Action Award “Models of Excellence 2017: The Citizen’s Movement for an Open Society recognized METAdrasi for its significant volunteer work.
- The “NGO of the Year” award in the category “Society” at “The Hellenic Responsible Business Awards 2018″ for the proven innovative work, with strong social impact, as well as the continuous commitment and efficiency, with measurable results.
- “Legion of Honour” 2017 decoration by the French state to METAdrasi’s president Lora Pappa for her social contribution and exceptional work.
- THI Leadership Award 2016 from the Hellenic Initiative to METAdrasi’s president Lora Pappa for the outstanding contribution.
