Jana Hainsworth
Public policy expert. Social change advocate.
I’m a passionate advocate for children’s rights and social justice.
I have held several leadership roles in civil society at EU level, and have led Europe-wide campaigns on child poverty, deinstitutionalisation and early childhood development.
As a consultant, I provide strategic advice on influencing EU policies and funding. I offer support for organisational development, programme design, and monitoring and evaluation.
What can I do ?
- Advocacy strategies
- Organisational development
- Facilitation & public speaking
- Partnership building
- Monitoring & evaluation
What do I know ?
- Children’s rights
- EU institutions & policies
- Participatory practice including with children
- Anti-poverty & social inclusion policies
- Child protection systems reform
My mission and values are to :
Be an authentic ally
Support collective action
Harness EU influence
Be an authentic ally
I’m lucky to have grown up in a secure and loving family. I had access to a good education, various after-school activities, and a safe home environment. Millions of people don’t have that good fortune. To build inclusive and prosperous societies, everyone should have the opportunity to fulfil their potential.
Being an authentic ally is about respecting differences, challenging stereotypes and facilitating inclusive decision-making. I have consistently advocated for the participation of children in decisions that affect them. My commitment to participation extends to all groups who have traditionally been deprived of the power to exercise control over their own lives, and that of their communities.
Support collective action
Change is a collaborative endeavour. Bringing people together around a common goal & harnessing their different strengths & approaches is crucial for success.
I believe in the power of networks. I advocate for public and private funding for infrastructure organisations that can facilitate mutual learning, peer support and collective influence. By working in networks, organisations retain their autonomy and their responsiveness to local contexts, whilst building collective strength. I’m interested in supporting good governance, good leadership and monitoring networks’ impact.
Harness EU influence
The European Union is a huge political experiment that is evolving continuously. Although far from perfect, issues I care about (children’s rights, social inclusion, gender equality, disability rights) have risen up the EU’s political agenda in recent decades. Civil society has been able to leverage both the EU’s political and financial weight to drive change, both within Member States and across the neighbouring region.
I’m interested in helping civil society influence EU policies, funds and legislation, and translating these achievements into change at national and local level.
But the rise of far-right parties across Europe threatens to undermine the EU’s commitment to human rights. I’m committed to working with others to disarm and discredit anti-rights movements.
Experience
Independent Consultant
Member of Family Council, AWHainsworth & Sons Ltd
Secretary General, Eurochild
President, Social Platform
Editor & Project Manager, Gopa Cartermill SA
Coordinator, Association of Voluntary Service Organisations
Research Assistant – Manager - Senior Consultant, ECOTEC Research & Consulting Ltd.
Education
October 1992 – September 1993 Brighton, UK, MA Environment, Development and Policy University of Sussex
October 1989 – July 1992 Durham, UK, BSc Natural Sciences University of Durham
October 1988 – June 1989 Madrid, Spain, Diploma Estudios Hispanicos Universidad Complutense de Madrid