Κουφονικολάκου Θεώνη

Biography

Ms Theoni Koufonikolakou is the Greek Deputy Ombudswoman for Children’s Rights and a former Chair of the European Network of Ombudspersons for Children (ENOC). She is an attorney at law and holds a Master’s degree in Political Science and Sociology. As an Ombudsperson she upheld especially the right of children to participate in decision-making and has intervened to promote an integrated child protection system in Greece. Furthermore, she has highlighted violations of the Rights of Children on the Move as well as of vulnerable children living at risk of poverty and social exclusion. She has published several articles on the interpretation of the UNCRC, democratic education and child protection.

As an attorney at law, she has specialised in human rights protection. She has cooperated with NGOs providing legal aid to vulnerable populations. In addition, she has worked with the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) as a researcher and instructor in adult education, and the Research Centre for Gender Equality (KETHI) in family protection cases. She has also worked on budgeting and legislative processes as the chief of staff for the Greek alternate Minister of Finance (2015-2018).