Director, Child Protection Initiative
Save the Children
Lena Karlsson is, since January 2010, the Director of Save the Children´s Child Protection Initiative (CPI) one of Save the Children´s six thematic priorities, 2010-2015. The Child Protection Initiative was launched in 2009 to strengthen children’s right to be protected from abuse, neglect, violence and exploitation. Through this initiative Save the Children has a specific focus on children without appropriate care, child protection in emergencies, child labour and physical and humiliating punishment. The prevention of all forms of violence, family separation and the promotion of community based and national child protection systems are important aspect of Save the Children´s programs. Children and young people, NGOs, UN agencies, governments, the private sector and faith based organisations are important partners to make this happen.
Lena is a business economist (organizational development) with a Master’s Degree in Aid and Development and with significant global experience on children’s rights, gender and child protection. Her professional experience consists of 20 years of progressively responsible positions in Europe, Africa and Asia, for UN agencies (UNICEF and ILO) and international NGOs on programming, management, coordination, organizational development, research, child participation & community mobilization, advocacy and capacity building.