Leen Decadt headshot

Leen Decadt

Senior Child Protection & Participation Technical Advisor, World Vision International

Leen Decadt is originally from Belgium, and has spent over two decades working with governments, UNICEF and civil society in all parts of the world. Between 1992 and 2007, she worked in Uganda, Kenya, South Africa and Senegal for INGOs and UNICEF. The next seven years, she was Head of Programmes for Child Helpline International, the global network of child helplines, working with civil society and governments in 140 countries. Leen joined World Vision International in 2014 as the Child Protection Regional Advisor for East Asia, and since 2017, she offers technical and strategic support to child protection teams in Asia Pacific and francophone Africa. Leen represents WVI as a key child protection player in regional and international fora to advocate for child rights with key stakeholders. She holds Master and Bachelor Degrees in Public Administration (Development Management), and two Bachelor's degrees in Social Marketing and Communication. Her career in development shows a progression from field work to policy development and management, based on technical and managerial experience, leading multi-disciplinary teams. She has proven skills in child protection in various contexts, both for emergency and development programmes, research, training, programme design and donor liaison.