The Health Ministry is organizing with UNICEF a conference on “Children’s Rights in the 21st Century” to mark International Children’s Day. Health Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos is to address the conference, which begins at noon in Zappeion Hall in central Athens. UNICEF will also be holding a telemarathon in conjunction with state broadcaster ET-1.

The Greek Association for the Prevention of Sexual Abuse, with the support of the Hellenic American Union and Ellinika Grammata Publications will host a conference on the sexual abuse of children in the auditorium of the Hellenic American Union at 4 p.m. As part of the event, the “No Secret” campaign, aimed at preventing and dealing with sexual abuse, is to be launched. Other areas to be covered include the impact of abuse, trafficking and domestic violence.

Extended retail trading hours are due to start today and will run through to January 3. Stores will be open from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. on weekdays, while retailers will also be open two Sundays during the festive period, December 24 and 31. Stores will be closed on January 2.

The board of directors of the Institute of Energy for Southeast Europe (IENE) hold a press conference on “Exploration and Production of Hydrocarbons in Greece” at the Foreign Press Association at 11 a.m.

Global Greece hosts a seminar on “International Commerce Terms in English” in Thessaloniki. For more information, call 2310.474.192.

The Mediterranean College’s school of psychology is holding a discussion on “Addictive Substances: Myths and Reality” at its premises (8 Pellinis & Patission, Athens) at 6 p.m. For further information and registration, call 210.889.9600.

Employees of the Social Security Foundation (IKA) are due to begin a 48-hour strike.

Doctors at state hospitals in Athens launch another 48-hour strike to demand wage hikes and more staff hirings. Doctors are also demanding a change in shift hours.

Greece’s two largest umbrella unions, ADEDY and GSEE, are organizing a 24-hour general strike to protest the government’s economic policies. Workers at OTE telecom, the Athens Water Company (EYDAP) and several other public utilities have decided to join the 24-hour work stoppage, as have members of the Greek Federation of Bank Employees’ Unions (OTOE). Services on public transport may be affected by the strike.

A seminar on “Permanent Establishment – Tax and Legal Risk” is being held by the law firm C. Papacostopoulos & Associates at the Law Library at 23 Mavromichali Street. For registration, call 210.606.2159.

A seminar on cost-cutting, organized by Advanced Quality Services Ltd, takes place at the Holiday Inn Hotel. For further information, call 210.621.6997.

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis attends the European Council meeting in Brussels. To Friday.

The Minority Groups Research Center (KEMO) organizes a conference at Panteion University in Athens on “Interdisciplinary Approaches of the Minority and Migration Phenomena: the Greek Experience since the End of the Cold War” on the occasion of the center’s 10th anniversary. For more details, log on to www.kemo.gr. To Sunday.