Speaker Information
Gerd Hoofe
State Secretary of Federal Ministry for Family, Women, Senior Citizens and Youth Affairs, Germany
On completing his legal studies, Gerd Hoofe worked as a legal expert at the regional Inland Revenue office in Münster from 1983 to 1985. Until 2003 he then worked for Osnabrück District Council, where he was acting head of the social and youth services from 1987 to 1988 before becoming head of the department and an executive board member in July 1988.
From 2002 to 2003 Hoofe was also Principle Municipal Councillor at Osnabrück District Council and general representative of the District Administrator. He then worked as State Secretary in the Lower Saxony Ministry for Social, Women, Family and Health Affairs until November 2005 when he then became State Secretary in the German Federal Ministry for Family, Women, Senior Citizens and Youth Affairs.
State Secretary of Federal Ministry for Family, Women, Senior Citizens and Youth Affairs, Germany
On completing his legal studies, Gerd Hoofe worked as a legal expert at the regional Inland Revenue office in Münster from 1983 to 1985. Until 2003 he then worked for Osnabrück District Council, where he was acting head of the social and youth services from 1987 to 1988 before becoming head of the department and an executive board member in July 1988.
From 2002 to 2003 Hoofe was also Principle Municipal Councillor at Osnabrück District Council and general representative of the District Administrator. He then worked as State Secretary in the Lower Saxony Ministry for Social, Women, Family and Health Affairs until November 2005 when he then became State Secretary in the German Federal Ministry for Family, Women, Senior Citizens and Youth Affairs.
Maud de Boer-Buquicchio
Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe
Maud de Boer-Buquicchio was born and raised in the Netherlands. She graduated in law from Leiden University.
She joined the Council of Europe in 1969 and began her career at the European Commission of Human Rights. She became Deputy Registrar to the European Court of Human Rights in 1998 and, in June 2002, Maud de Boer-Buquicchio became the first woman to be elected Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe by the organisation’s Parliamentary Assembly. In June 2007, she was re-elected for a second 5-year mandate.
Throughout her mandate she has focused her attention on the cause of vulnerable groups in society. She initiated a programme promoting children’s rights and protecting them from violence. From the outset she has been actively involved in promoting the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings and the Council of Europe’s campaign to combat violence against women, including domestic violence. She also actively contributes to developing co-operation and coordination between the Council of Europe and other international institutions.
Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe
Maud de Boer-Buquicchio was born and raised in the Netherlands. She graduated in law from Leiden University.
She joined the Council of Europe in 1969 and began her career at the European Commission of Human Rights. She became Deputy Registrar to the European Court of Human Rights in 1998 and, in June 2002, Maud de Boer-Buquicchio became the first woman to be elected Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe by the organisation’s Parliamentary Assembly. In June 2007, she was re-elected for a second 5-year mandate.
Throughout her mandate she has focused her attention on the cause of vulnerable groups in society. She initiated a programme promoting children’s rights and protecting them from violence. From the outset she has been actively involved in promoting the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings and the Council of Europe’s campaign to combat violence against women, including domestic violence. She also actively contributes to developing co-operation and coordination between the Council of Europe and other international institutions.
Sharon Cooper
CEO of Developmental and Forensic Pediatrics, PA, USA
Sharon Cooper, MD, is the CEO of Developmental and Forensic Pediatrics, PA, a consulting firm that provides medical care, training, and expert witness experience in child maltreatment cases, as well as medical care for children with disabilities.
Sharon Cooper holds faculty positions at the University of North Carolina’s Chapel Hill School of Medicine, and at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. She is also the lead author of the first comprehensive text on the medical, legal, and social science aspects of child sexual exploitation and Internet crimes against children and has most recently published in the text, The Sexualisation of Childhood (2009).
She has testified to the United States Congress, the Manitoba Canada legislature and recently the Russian Parliament (Duma) regarding Information and communication technology crimes against children. She is also a member of an international expert working group on children and young persons with abusive and violent experiences connected to cyberspace, hosted by the Council of the Baltic Sea States, and the Swedish Children’s Welfare Foundation. She serves as a consultant the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children where she serves on the National Coalition for the Prevention of Child Sexual Exploitation. She has spoken at numerous conferences worldwide on the sexualisation of children and the normalization of sexual harm promoted to society through technology.
CEO of Developmental and Forensic Pediatrics, PA, USA
Sharon Cooper, MD, is the CEO of Developmental and Forensic Pediatrics, PA, a consulting firm that provides medical care, training, and expert witness experience in child maltreatment cases, as well as medical care for children with disabilities.
Sharon Cooper holds faculty positions at the University of North Carolina’s Chapel Hill School of Medicine, and at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. She is also the lead author of the first comprehensive text on the medical, legal, and social science aspects of child sexual exploitation and Internet crimes against children and has most recently published in the text, The Sexualisation of Childhood (2009).
She has testified to the United States Congress, the Manitoba Canada legislature and recently the Russian Parliament (Duma) regarding Information and communication technology crimes against children. She is also a member of an international expert working group on children and young persons with abusive and violent experiences connected to cyberspace, hosted by the Council of the Baltic Sea States, and the Swedish Children’s Welfare Foundation. She serves as a consultant the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children where she serves on the National Coalition for the Prevention of Child Sexual Exploitation. She has spoken at numerous conferences worldwide on the sexualisation of children and the normalization of sexual harm promoted to society through technology.
Zoë Hilton
CEO of Developmental and Forensic Pediatrics, PA, USA
Zoë Hilton is the NSPCC’s policy lead on a range of child protection issues including child protection and new technologies, sexual abuse and exploitation, child trafficking and offender management. She regularly represents the interests of the NSPCC and also works actively within CHIS (the Children’s Charities Coalition on Internet Safety) to campaign and lobby on child safety issues in the online environment.
Zoё Hilton is also the thematic lead on sexual abuse on the internet for the new eNASCO network funded by the EU and sits on the management committee. She is now involved in shaping this network of NGO’s in sharing expertise and delivering consensus on internet safety issues to strengthen the voice of children’s organisations across Europe.
Prior to joining the NSPCC, Zoё Hilton researched and lectured in social policy at the Heriot-Watt University, where she also completed her PhD in Sociology and Criminology. She has authored and published several papers and articles about the experiences of children and young people.
CEO of Developmental and Forensic Pediatrics, PA, USA
Zoë Hilton is the NSPCC’s policy lead on a range of child protection issues including child protection and new technologies, sexual abuse and exploitation, child trafficking and offender management. She regularly represents the interests of the NSPCC and also works actively within CHIS (the Children’s Charities Coalition on Internet Safety) to campaign and lobby on child safety issues in the online environment.
Zoё Hilton is also the thematic lead on sexual abuse on the internet for the new eNASCO network funded by the EU and sits on the management committee. She is now involved in shaping this network of NGO’s in sharing expertise and delivering consensus on internet safety issues to strengthen the voice of children’s organisations across Europe.
Prior to joining the NSPCC, Zoё Hilton researched and lectured in social policy at the Heriot-Watt University, where she also completed her PhD in Sociology and Criminology. She has authored and published several papers and articles about the experiences of children and young people.
Ursula von der Leyen
Federal Minister for Family, Women, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, Germany
On completing her medical studies Ursula von der Leyen worked from 1998 to 2002 as a member of the academic staff in the Department for Epidemiology, Social Medicine and Health System Research at Hanover Medical University. In 2001 she gained a Masters degree in Public Health (MPH).
Ursula von der Leyen has been a member of the CDU since 1990. On 4 March 2003, she became Minister for Social, Women, Family and Health Affairs in the State Assembly of Lower Saxony. Ursula von der Leyen has chaired the CDU’s ‘Parents, Children, Work’ Family Affairs Committee since 2005. In the same year Angela Merkel appointed her to the expert team for the CDU/CSU general election campaign for Family and Health Affairs. She is now German Federal Minister for Family, Women, Senior Citizens and Youth Affairs in the German federal government headed by Angela Merkel.
Federal Minister for Family, Women, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, Germany
On completing her medical studies Ursula von der Leyen worked from 1998 to 2002 as a member of the academic staff in the Department for Epidemiology, Social Medicine and Health System Research at Hanover Medical University. In 2001 she gained a Masters degree in Public Health (MPH).
Ursula von der Leyen has been a member of the CDU since 1990. On 4 March 2003, she became Minister for Social, Women, Family and Health Affairs in the State Assembly of Lower Saxony. Ursula von der Leyen has chaired the CDU’s ‘Parents, Children, Work’ Family Affairs Committee since 2005. In the same year Angela Merkel appointed her to the expert team for the CDU/CSU general election campaign for Family and Health Affairs. She is now German Federal Minister for Family, Women, Senior Citizens and Youth Affairs in the German federal government headed by Angela Merkel.
Rob Wainwright
Director of Europol
Having graduated in 1989 from the London School of Economics Rob Wainwright joined the UK Civil Service where he dealt with organised crime, counter-terrorism and intelligence analysis.
Between 2000 and 2003, Wainwright was the Head of the UK Liaison Bureau at Europol and managed the Europol National Unit in London. In 2003 he was promoted to the position of Director International of the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS). From 2006 onwards, he has been Chief of the International Department of the UK Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA). His mandate extended from SOCA’s international operations and global partnerships to the worldwide network of SOCA liaison officers. He was appointed Director of Europol in April 2009.
Director of Europol
Having graduated in 1989 from the London School of Economics Rob Wainwright joined the UK Civil Service where he dealt with organised crime, counter-terrorism and intelligence analysis.
Between 2000 and 2003, Wainwright was the Head of the UK Liaison Bureau at Europol and managed the Europol National Unit in London. In 2003 he was promoted to the position of Director International of the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS). From 2006 onwards, he has been Chief of the International Department of the UK Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA). His mandate extended from SOCA’s international operations and global partnerships to the worldwide network of SOCA liaison officers. He was appointed Director of Europol in April 2009.
Matthew Kirk
Group External Affairs Director, Vodafone Group, UK
Matthew Kirk joined Vodafone in 2006 as Group Director of External Relationships and joined the Executive Committee as Group External Affairs Director in March 2009.
Beforehand he was a member of the British Diplomatic Service for more than twenty years, with diplomatic postings in New York (UN), Belgrade, Gibraltar and Paris, and a number of positions in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and Cabinet Office in London. Matthew Kirk led the FCO's programme in investment in IT and telecommunications for three years, and prior to joining Vodafone served as Her Majesty's Ambassador to Finland.
Kirk graduated from St John's College, Oxford, and holds the Diplôme International d'Administration Publique from the École Nationale d'Administration, Paris.
Anke Gratz
Youth Representative, Germany
Since 2004 Anke Gratz has been working voluntarily for the ‘Christuskirchengemeinde’ in Neuss. Her tasks include working in the youth café belonging to the Parish Hall and organising projects, such as holidays, for confirmees aged 11 to 15.
She attended the World Congress III in Rio where she was elected as youth representative for the Editorial Committee.
Her motivation is based on an incident in her past when a twelve-year-old boy told her he considered it both normal and fun to watch hardcore pornography films on his Playstation Portable. After this experience Anke Gratz began raising awareness among the public about sexual violence on the Internet. She began discussing the issue in schools, her church group and in the youth café. She continues to remain very active and helps to organise activities in the town with other young people to draw attention to issues relating to sexual abuse and exploitation.
Jörg Ziercke
President of the Federal Criminal Police Office, Germany
From 1970 to 1975, Jörg Ziercke worked in the operative field, both in the protection and criminal investigation division and in the Regional State Office for Criminal Investigation in Schleswig-Holstein. On completing his studies at Münster Police Academy in 1979, Zierke became Head of the Criminal Investigations Department at Neumünster before being appointed to the Criminal Investigation Department at Itzehoe in 1981.
In 1985 Ziercke moved to the Ministry of the Interior of Schleswig-Holstein where he worked as a personnel, education and training consultant for the regional police. From 1990 to 1992, he was head of Schleswig-Holstein Regional Police School and supported the development of the regional police school in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. He then worked in the Police Department in the Schleswig-Holstein Ministry of the Interior, becoming its head in 1995, before being appointed President of the German Federal Criminal office in 2004.
President of the Federal Criminal Police Office, Germany
From 1970 to 1975, Jörg Ziercke worked in the operative field, both in the protection and criminal investigation division and in the Regional State Office for Criminal Investigation in Schleswig-Holstein. On completing his studies at Münster Police Academy in 1979, Zierke became Head of the Criminal Investigations Department at Neumünster before being appointed to the Criminal Investigation Department at Itzehoe in 1981.
In 1985 Ziercke moved to the Ministry of the Interior of Schleswig-Holstein where he worked as a personnel, education and training consultant for the regional police. From 1990 to 1992, he was head of Schleswig-Holstein Regional Police School and supported the development of the regional police school in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. He then worked in the Police Department in the Schleswig-Holstein Ministry of the Interior, becoming its head in 1995, before being appointed President of the German Federal Criminal office in 2004.
Monika Egli-Alge
Managing Director of the Eastern Switzerland Forensic Institute
Specialist psychotherapist FSP/ Legal psychologist SGRP, Switzerland
After training to become a primary teacher, Monika Egli-Alge studied Psychology at Zurich University with a focus on family therapy, supervision, group psychotherapy and forensics. For the last ten years she has worked for the Thurgau Child and Youth Psychiatry Services and is also head psychologist at the outpatient clinic in Münsterlingen. Monika Egli-Alge is also President of EFCAP-SCHWEIZ (European Forensic Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions).
In May 2004, she founded the Eastern Switzerland Forensic Institute with a focus on juvenile delinquency, which is the first of its kind in Switzerland. The remit of the psychologists includes providing assessments in criminal and civil cases as well as treating juvenile delinquents and young sex offenders with learning and mental disabilities. In addition the institute offers therapeutic help in cases of domestic violence and suspected sexual abuse.
Managing Director of the Eastern Switzerland Forensic Institute
Specialist psychotherapist FSP/ Legal psychologist SGRP, Switzerland
After training to become a primary teacher, Monika Egli-Alge studied Psychology at Zurich University with a focus on family therapy, supervision, group psychotherapy and forensics. For the last ten years she has worked for the Thurgau Child and Youth Psychiatry Services and is also head psychologist at the outpatient clinic in Münsterlingen. Monika Egli-Alge is also President of EFCAP-SCHWEIZ (European Forensic Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions).
In May 2004, she founded the Eastern Switzerland Forensic Institute with a focus on juvenile delinquency, which is the first of its kind in Switzerland. The remit of the psychologists includes providing assessments in criminal and civil cases as well as treating juvenile delinquents and young sex offenders with learning and mental disabilities. In addition the institute offers therapeutic help in cases of domestic violence and suspected sexual abuse.
Mechtild Maurer
Director of ECPAT Deutschland e. V., Germany
For more than nine years, the journalist and social scientist has been the Director of the children’s rights alliance ‘ECPAT Deutschland e. V. – Consortium Against Sexual Exploitation of Children’, which is active in more than 75 countries. The work of ECPAT is based on the premise that every child has a fundamental right to be protected from all forms of commercial exploitation and sexual abuse. For this reason ECPAT is committed to pursuing legal action on behalf of sexually abused children and for ensuring that the victims receive corresponding compensation.
Mechtild Maurer is particularly committed to protecting children from sexual exploitation in the field of tourism and has helped to encourage tour operators and the media to focus on this issue. An important milestone in her work has been the development of a Code of Conduct (CC) for protecting children from sexual exploitation, which has been signed by numerous tourism companies.
She also works as a trainer in the European ECPAT Law Enforcement Group, which offers training programmes for preventing sexual exploitation of children for multi-stakeholder groups and police officers in various countries.
Director of ECPAT Deutschland e. V., Germany
For more than nine years, the journalist and social scientist has been the Director of the children’s rights alliance ‘ECPAT Deutschland e. V. – Consortium Against Sexual Exploitation of Children’, which is active in more than 75 countries. The work of ECPAT is based on the premise that every child has a fundamental right to be protected from all forms of commercial exploitation and sexual abuse. For this reason ECPAT is committed to pursuing legal action on behalf of sexually abused children and for ensuring that the victims receive corresponding compensation.
Mechtild Maurer is particularly committed to protecting children from sexual exploitation in the field of tourism and has helped to encourage tour operators and the media to focus on this issue. An important milestone in her work has been the development of a Code of Conduct (CC) for protecting children from sexual exploitation, which has been signed by numerous tourism companies.
She also works as a trainer in the European ECPAT Law Enforcement Group, which offers training programmes for preventing sexual exploitation of children for multi-stakeholder groups and police officers in various countries.
Katherine Maher
Communication Officer, UNICEF
Katherine Maher is a partnerships and projects coordinator in UNICEF’s Division of Communication, Youth Section. Her work addresses the role of technology for advocacy and social interaction in the developing world, both online and offline. As part of this work, Katherine Maher has led the discussion within the Youth Section on the need for safe digital environments, examining the strengths and weaknesses of various approaches. She is particularly interested in the role technology plays in advocacy and development, and in safeguarding both young people and their rights within this space.
Communication Officer, UNICEF
Katherine Maher is a partnerships and projects coordinator in UNICEF’s Division of Communication, Youth Section. Her work addresses the role of technology for advocacy and social interaction in the developing world, both online and offline. As part of this work, Katherine Maher has led the discussion within the Youth Section on the need for safe digital environments, examining the strengths and weaknesses of various approaches. She is particularly interested in the role technology plays in advocacy and development, and in safeguarding both young people and their rights within this space.
Vernon Jones
Social Worker, Denmark
Vernon Jones, BA (Hons), MA, worked in child protection for several British local authorities with a specialisation in working with children who have been subjected to sexual abuse and exploitation. He later went on to undertake assessment and therapeutic work with adolescent and adult males who had been convicted or were suspected of sexually abusing children. Since joining Red Barnet, Save the Children Denmark in 2000, he has been responsible for developing programmes related to combating the production, distribution and collection of child abuse images.
Vernon has worked extensively on the area of Victim Identification and he is the co-author of the report ‘Visible Evidence – Forgotten Children’. Vernon is working on Victim Identification for the eNACSO network, where he is focusing on how Victim Identification can be improved through international cooperation. He has also worked within the Danish government task force on combating sexual abuse of children by Danish travelling sex offenders and is undertaking research on the modus operandi of travelling sex offenders.
Social Worker, Denmark
Vernon Jones, BA (Hons), MA, worked in child protection for several British local authorities with a specialisation in working with children who have been subjected to sexual abuse and exploitation. He later went on to undertake assessment and therapeutic work with adolescent and adult males who had been convicted or were suspected of sexually abusing children. Since joining Red Barnet, Save the Children Denmark in 2000, he has been responsible for developing programmes related to combating the production, distribution and collection of child abuse images.
Vernon has worked extensively on the area of Victim Identification and he is the co-author of the report ‘Visible Evidence – Forgotten Children’. Vernon is working on Victim Identification for the eNACSO network, where he is focusing on how Victim Identification can be improved through international cooperation. He has also worked within the Danish government task force on combating sexual abuse of children by Danish travelling sex offenders and is undertaking research on the modus operandi of travelling sex offenders.
Julia von Weiler
Psychologist, Germany
Julia von Weiler studied Psychology at New York University and the Free University, Berlin, working at the same time for the ‘Children’s Safety Project’ in New York City, where she provided support for abused children. From 1992 to 1994 she worked as an educational specialist in the ‘Mädchenvilla’, the first residential project of its kind in Germany for abused girls aged 4 to 14, which is situated in Beckum. She was a board member of its supporting association from 1993 to 2000.
From 1999 to 2002, Julia von Weiler provided counselling for girls and boys affected by sexual abuse along with their guardians in a counselling drop-in centre in Cologne. Until 2007 she then headed the psychology department at the ‘Kind in Düsseldorf’ GmbH, a diagnostic and therapeutic institution for providing in-patient treatment for abused children aged 3 to 12 (www.kid-facheinrichtung.de).
Since 2003 she has been director of ‘Innocence in Danger e.V.’, the German section of an international network working against sexual abuse, which is particularly committed to preventing the spread of child pornography through the internet (www.innocenceindanger.de).
Psychologist, Germany
Julia von Weiler studied Psychology at New York University and the Free University, Berlin, working at the same time for the ‘Children’s Safety Project’ in New York City, where she provided support for abused children. From 1992 to 1994 she worked as an educational specialist in the ‘Mädchenvilla’, the first residential project of its kind in Germany for abused girls aged 4 to 14, which is situated in Beckum. She was a board member of its supporting association from 1993 to 2000.
From 1999 to 2002, Julia von Weiler provided counselling for girls and boys affected by sexual abuse along with their guardians in a counselling drop-in centre in Cologne. Until 2007 she then headed the psychology department at the ‘Kind in Düsseldorf’ GmbH, a diagnostic and therapeutic institution for providing in-patient treatment for abused children aged 3 to 12 (www.kid-facheinrichtung.de).
Since 2003 she has been director of ‘Innocence in Danger e.V.’, the German section of an international network working against sexual abuse, which is particularly committed to preventing the spread of child pornography through the internet (www.innocenceindanger.de).
Horst Forster
Director at the Information Society and Media Directorate-General of the European Commission
Horst Forster studied Physics at Darmstadt Technical University. Before joining the European Commission, he was employed in the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research in Bonn as well as in the computer industry.
Forster began his career at the European Commission in 1984 as head of the ‘Strategic Planning of Information Technologies’ unit and went on to take up various other management posts there. Horst Forster is currently Director of ‘Digital Content and Cognitive Systems’ in the Information Society and Media Directorate-General of the European Commission.
Director at the Information Society and Media Directorate-General of the European Commission
Horst Forster studied Physics at Darmstadt Technical University. Before joining the European Commission, he was employed in the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research in Bonn as well as in the computer industry.
Forster began his career at the European Commission in 1984 as head of the ‘Strategic Planning of Information Technologies’ unit and went on to take up various other management posts there. Horst Forster is currently Director of ‘Digital Content and Cognitive Systems’ in the Information Society and Media Directorate-General of the European Commission.
Tom Westerholt
Author, reporter and computer game expert for WDR Youth Radio’s ‘Eins Live’, Germany
Tom Westerholt trained from 1997 to 1998 at ‘radio NRW’ in Oberhausen and completed his traineeship with distinction.
From 1998 to 2002 he was a founder member, editor and presenter of various topic areas (sport, politics) for the ‘NBC GIGA’ television programme in Düsseldorf, which was broadcast live. Here the presenters discussed current topics concerned with the Internet and communicated with viewers via chat rooms and forums. During the first years that it was broadcast, NBC GIGA had the largest online community in Germany and was conferred the Grimme Online Award in 2001.
Since 2003, Westerholt has been working as a freelance author/reporter at diverse ARD radio stations. He has been based in Berlin since 2005 and has been working under his own ‘Radiobüro Berlin’ label since 2008. The focus is on multimedia issues (Internet topics and videogames) as well as cinema (film reviews, interviews and portraits).
Author, reporter and computer game expert for WDR Youth Radio’s ‘Eins Live’, Germany
Tom Westerholt trained from 1997 to 1998 at ‘radio NRW’ in Oberhausen and completed his traineeship with distinction.
From 1998 to 2002 he was a founder member, editor and presenter of various topic areas (sport, politics) for the ‘NBC GIGA’ television programme in Düsseldorf, which was broadcast live. Here the presenters discussed current topics concerned with the Internet and communicated with viewers via chat rooms and forums. During the first years that it was broadcast, NBC GIGA had the largest online community in Germany and was conferred the Grimme Online Award in 2001.
Since 2003, Westerholt has been working as a freelance author/reporter at diverse ARD radio stations. He has been based in Berlin since 2005 and has been working under his own ‘Radiobüro Berlin’ label since 2008. The focus is on multimedia issues (Internet topics and videogames) as well as cinema (film reviews, interviews and portraits).
Mikko Rusama
Director, Customer Service & Moderation – Sulake Corporation Oy, Finland
Mikko Rusama (MSc in Computer Science and Engineering) has over 10 years experience in the Internet and mobile games/services sector, holding various roles. In 1998 he became the first employee and partner in the mobile games company Codetoys. From 2003 to 2005 he worked as a researcher in the Software Business and Engineering Institute at the Helsinki University of Technology, focusing on software processes. From 2005 to 2008, he held several managerial positions at European Game & Entertainment Technology, which later merged with Paf (Ålands Penningautomatförening), a Finnish lottery company.
Since August 2008, Rusama has been working for Sulake, an online entertainment company focused on virtual worlds and social networking. The company’s main product, Habbo, is the world’s largest virtual world for teenagers. At Sulake, he is responsible for Habbo customer service, moderation and player safety issues at a global level. This is Sulake's main task, with more than 200 moderation and player support agents providing a safe and secure environment for Habbos.
Director, Customer Service & Moderation – Sulake Corporation Oy, Finland
Mikko Rusama (MSc in Computer Science and Engineering) has over 10 years experience in the Internet and mobile games/services sector, holding various roles. In 1998 he became the first employee and partner in the mobile games company Codetoys. From 2003 to 2005 he worked as a researcher in the Software Business and Engineering Institute at the Helsinki University of Technology, focusing on software processes. From 2005 to 2008, he held several managerial positions at European Game & Entertainment Technology, which later merged with Paf (Ålands Penningautomatförening), a Finnish lottery company.
Since August 2008, Rusama has been working for Sulake, an online entertainment company focused on virtual worlds and social networking. The company’s main product, Habbo, is the world’s largest virtual world for teenagers. At Sulake, he is responsible for Habbo customer service, moderation and player safety issues at a global level. This is Sulake's main task, with more than 200 moderation and player support agents providing a safe and secure environment for Habbos.
Mariana Yevsyukova
EICYAC Representative for Eastern Europe and CIS, Ukraine
Mariana Yevsyukova is one of the new EICYAC (ECPAT International Child and Youth Advisory Committee) representatives for Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States. She also works for the Human Rights Department of Ukraine’s Ministry of Interior, coordinates the youth section of the All-Ukrainian Alliance against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) and is a legal expert at the ‘La Strada-Ukraine’ international women rights centre.
Since 1999, she has been actively involved in the prevention of human trafficking and also deals with issues concerning women and children, domestic violence, sexual exploitation of children, the promotion of children’s rights and gender equality in Ukrainian society.
Mariana Yevsyukova has a Masters degree in law and a specialist degree in International Economics. She is currently writing her thesis for her PhD in law.
EICYAC Representative for Eastern Europe and CIS, Ukraine
Mariana Yevsyukova is one of the new EICYAC (ECPAT International Child and Youth Advisory Committee) representatives for Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States. She also works for the Human Rights Department of Ukraine’s Ministry of Interior, coordinates the youth section of the All-Ukrainian Alliance against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) and is a legal expert at the ‘La Strada-Ukraine’ international women rights centre.
Since 1999, she has been actively involved in the prevention of human trafficking and also deals with issues concerning women and children, domestic violence, sexual exploitation of children, the promotion of children’s rights and gender equality in Ukrainian society.
Mariana Yevsyukova has a Masters degree in law and a specialist degree in International Economics. She is currently writing her thesis for her PhD in law.
In Cooperation with
