UNICEF Appoints Justin Forsyth to Lead Change for Children

Justin Forsyth to Lead Change for Children

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has announced the appointment of Justin Forsyth, a British national, as Deputy Executive Director of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

“Mr. Forsyth is an experienced global leader with a strong track record of turning ambitious strategic visions into real change for children,” said a statement issued by the UN Spokesperson.

“He has led transformative change, pioneered new communications, fundraising and advocacy campaigns that have built unusual coalitions for change with the private sector, NGOs (non-governmental organizations), popular culture, the United Nations and national governments,” it added.

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Since 2010, Mr. Forsyth has served as Chief Executive Officer of Save the Children, a British non-governmental organization based in the United Kingdom.

From 2004 to 2010, as Special Adviser to Gordon Brown and Tony Blair, Mr. Forsyth helped shape global efforts on development, climate change and humanitarian policies, including efforts around G8s and G20s. Prior to this, he had a career with Oxfam from 1989 to 2004.

He will succeed Johanna (Yoka) Brandt, who has been appointed as Secretary-General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.

In the picture above: Justin Forsyth speaks with a Syrian refugee woman and her child, in the Faida informal tented settlement, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon. Photo: UNICEF / Ramzi Haidar