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Collaborative on Global Children's Issues

Gillian Huebner headshot

Gillian Huebner

Collaborative on Global Children's Issues

Gillian Huebner is the executive director of the Collaborative on Global Children's Issues at Georgetown University. A global child rights and protection specialist, Huebner's work focuses on supporting the development, strengthening, and coordination of programs and systems to enhance community-based and nationally owned approaches to building young people’s well-being, particularly in times of crisis. She believes in shifting focus from risks and deficits towards strength-based solutions, engaging young people, families, communities, and other stakeholders to identify what works. She has worked domestically and overseas with the UN, the U.S. government, foreign and local governments, private foundations, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions and as an independent consultant. She co-founded the Collaborative on Global Children's Issues with Dr. Joan Lombardi in 2021.

  • Serves as member of the Bring Kids Back task force at the invitation of the Office of the President of Ukraine.
  • Worked with UNICEF to promote better reception, care, and services for newly arriving migrant and asylum-seeking children in the United States and ensure quality care for children during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Served as the senior child development and protection advisor with USAID's Center for Children in Adversity, developing the first whole-of-government strategy for U.S. international assistance to children.
  • Participated as a founding member of the National Academy of Medicine's Forum on Investing in Young Children Globally, a three-year global project.
  • Established the U.S. office of J.K. Rowling’s child rights foundation, Lumos.
  • Lived and worked in Angola, Belgium, The Netherlands, Russia, Sudan, and Ukraine.



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