Former Danish prime minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt has been chosen to lead Save the Children, the world's largest organisation working to protect children around the globe.
Helle Thorning-Schmidt is the new chief executive of Save the Children International. From 4 April, the former Danish prime minister will take over from Jasmine Withbread at the helm of the world's largest international organisation working to protect children's rights in 120 countries.
Helle Thorning-Schmidt grew up in Copenhagen, Denmark, and began her career in the European Parliament as a member of the Party of European Socialists. In 2005 she was elected to the Folketing, the Danish parliament, becoming the first female leader of the Social Democratic Party. As the country's first female head of government, from 2011 to 2015, she is remembered for the results achieved in terms of economic growth, education and increased employment rates, as well as her commitment to tackling climate change. In 2013, Wwf (World Wildlife Fund) awarded her its highest honour, the Gift to the Earth, for the country's ambitious achievements in climate protection and its commitments towards 100 per cent renewable energy production by 2050.
Many might see Helle Thorning-Schmidt's appointment to lead Save the Children as an unexpected change after a long political career. However, her interest in development dates back to her time as prime minister, when she increased humanitarian aid funding to 0.83 per cent of GDP. In recent years she has also played a key role in promoting education around the world through the United Nations' Global Education First Initiative, a movement launched by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to bring governments together to encourage access to education and improve its quality at a global level.
Thorning-Schmidt described herself as honoured by her new role, calling it her dream job: "The protection, rights and development of children are issues I have always cared deeply about and I look forward to doing everything I can to help fulfil our ambitious but simple goals: that no child under five dies from preventable causes, that all children have access to quality education and that no child lives with violence and abuse."
This is not the first time we have seen a political figure move into the leadership of an NGO. Former British Foreign Secretary David Miliband is now chief executive of the International Rescue Committee, and former US president Bill Clinton founded his own charitable organisation, the Clinton Foundation. As has happened before, some may wonder whether in such cases the independence of humanitarian work is put at risk. On the other hand, however, political influence and diplomatic experience could help to increase governments' financial commitment.
Translated by Camilla Soldati