(LONDON) Internews is pleased to announce the election of Kristina Henschen to the organisation’s trustee board in Europe.

Repeatedly recognized as one of the most influential women in the field of development cooperation in Sweden, Henschen is the Secretary General of the Swedish trade union solidarity support organization Union to Union, and the chairperson of CONCORD Sweden. She has seven years’ prior experience with the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).

Internews is an international non-profit organization whose mission is to empower local media worldwide to give people the news and information they need, the ability to connect and the means to make their voices heard.

“I am deeply honoured to join the Trustees of Internews,” said Henschen. “I am grateful for this opportunity to continue my work on human rights. Journalists in many countries face censorship, repression and violence just for doing their jobs. I look forward to working with Internews to ensure that independent journalism thrives in places where freedom of speech is under threat.”

Henschen’s early career background as a journalist is of particular relevance to Internews’ mission. Her award-winning radio documentary on HIV infection among young women and children in South Africa as a result of sexual abuse was broadcast in 2002 by Swedish Public Radio. She started her journalism career at only 17 years old, working on a film about Nelson Mandela and his release from prison.

Whilst working for Sida, Henschen was based in Eastern Europe, Russia, and at their headquarters in Stockholm where she coordinated the Human Rights Programme to Belarus. Kristina also worked with human rights and gender equality for several years for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Yerevan, Armenia.

Internews Europe Chief Executive Daniel Bruce said, “Kristina brings the perfect mix of expertise to our board; her early journalism career added to her strong track record in international development are a commanding combination.  We are delighted to have somebody of Kristina’s foreign policy standing as a trustee.”

David Hoffman, President Emeritus and Founder of Internews and current Chair of the Intenews Europe Trustee Board, welcomed Henschen. “I’m thrilled that Kristina will lend her considerable knowledge of issues we care deeply about – human rights, gender equality, and HIV/AIDS – along with her understanding of journalism’s role in deeply addressing these issues.”

Internews operates internationally, with administrative centers in California, Washington DC, and London, as well as regional hubs in Bangkok and Nairobi. Formed in 1982, Internews has worked in more than 90 countries, and currently has offices in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and North America.

Internews Network is registered as a 501(c)3 organization in California. Internews Europe is registered in England and Wales as a Charity no. 1148404 and Company no. 7891107. Internews Network and Internews Europe operate cooperatively with independent boards of directors.

##

For more information, contact:
Charlotte Schep, Business Support Assistant, Internews
+44 (0)207 566 3300

Laura Lindamood, Director of Communications, Internews
[email protected]
+1 202 772 5718