Heidi De Pauw Explained

Heidi De Pauw
Birth Date:	18 February 1972
Birth Place:	Aalst, Belgium
Nationality:	Belgian
Occupation:	Human Rights Activist
Known For:	CEO of Child Focus

Heidi De Pauw (born February 18, 1972, in Aalst, Belgium) is a human rights activist and former CEO of Child Focus, the Belgian Foundation for Missing and Sexually Exploited Children. Since September 2024 she has been country director of Enabel for Jordan, to manage the existing program there but also to develop regional approaches for the Near and Middle East. She is a regular keynote speaker, trainer, and expert for international programs on children's rights, missing and sexually exploited children, and children in conflict zones.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Early life and education

Heidi De Pauw was born on February 18, 1972, in Aalst, Belgium. She has a master's degree in Criminological Sciences from the University of Ghent^[4] and a degree in Human and Social Sciences from the University of Patras, Greece. She also has a degree in Business Administration from the EHSAL Management School in Brussels.^{[5] [6] [7]}

Career

De Pauw began her career at the Home Affairs Prevention Service, managing safety and prevention projects related to drug abuse and disappearances.^[8] Shortly after Child Focus was founded in 1998, she became one of the first case managers, assisting victims of disappearances and sexual exploitation and their families.^{[9] [10]} Three years later, she became study and development manager in the newly created Child Focus Study and Development department, where she developed and implemented national and EU prevention projects.^{[11] [12]}

As Secretary General of Eurochild, De Pauw led the European non-profit organization focussed on fighting child poverty and social exclusion.^[13] In 2005, she became Director of PAG-ASA, a specialized center for victims of trafficking, where she served for six years.^{[14] [15] [16]}

At the end of 2011, she returned to Child Focus as CEO.^{[17] [18]} De Pauw is former Deputy Chairwoman of Missing Children Europe, the European Federation for Missing and Sexually Exploited Children, and is now Special Representative of the Patron's Council of Missing Children Europe.^{[19] [20]} She is President of the Board of Minor Ndako and Juna vzw, a shelter for unaccompanied minors and underage victims of human trafficking.^{[21] [22] [23]} She is a former board member of several organizations, including V-Europe,^[24] and Tout Bien Okidoki.^{[25] [26]} She is a board member of the Queen Paola Foundation^[27] and the VRT, the public broadcaster of the Flemish Community.^{[28] [29] [30]} Also, she is a patron of WOMENPOL, the Belgian Network of Policewomen.^[31]

Until May 2021, Heidi De Pauw was a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Lottery.^{[32] [33]} Since August 2022, she is a member of the advisory board of Debateville, a debate program.^{[34] [35]}

In 2022, Heidi De Pauw was appointed a Commander in the Order of the Crown for her contributions as CEO of Child Focus in the transfer of 40 Ukrainian disabled children and Belgian children from Syrian prison camps to Belgium.^{[36] [37] [38]}

Since June 2023, Heidi De Pauw has been founder and vice-president of Antwerp Diamonds FC, a women's football club.^{[39] [40]} In December 2023, she joined the Board of Directors of INHOPE, the global network against CSAM.^[41] In April 2024, Heidi joined the Biz Board Lotto Super League (Pro League).^{[42] [43]} In 2024, Heidi De Pauw left the position of CEO at Child Focus.^{[44] [45]}

Since September 2024 she has been country director of Enabel for Jordan, to manage the existing program there but also to develop regional approaches for the Near and Middle East.

De Pauw was a mentor in the program "Inspiring Mentor & Young Leaders" and an independent coach for "Gangmakers,"^[46] the academy of talents of the Open VLD (Liberal Party).^{[47] [48]} She chaired the Parliamentary Working Group on the protection of children at the federal level, composed of field experts, representatives of Cabinets, and members of Parliament.^{[49] [50]} As an expert and trainer for ICMPD, she specializes in human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of particularly vulnerable groups, such as minors.^{[51] [52] [53]}

Publications

• Makri, O., & De Pauw, H. (1994). "Information on the Convention on the Rights of the Child in Greece", in: European Course on Children's Rights Gent, ICP-94B-114/10.
• De Pauw, H. (2002). "De Verdwijning van niet begeleide minderjarigen en minderjarige slachtoffers van mensenhandel". ISBN 90-7118-01-2. Also published in English and French: "The disappearance of unaccompanied minors and minors, victim of trafficking in human beings". ISBN 90-7118-03-9. "La disparition de mineurs non accompagnés et de mineurs victimes de la traite des êtres humains". ISBN 90-7118-02-0.
• De Pauw, H. (2002). "Child Focus. De cijfers." in: Seksuele Uitbuiting van Kinderen/L’exploitation Sexuelle des enfants, Custodes, Cahiers voor politie- en justitievraagstukken/thématiques de la police et de la justice, Politeia.
• De Schrijver, I., & De Pauw, H. (2000). "Child focus. Het Europees Centrum voor Vermiste en Seksueel Uitgebuite Kinderen", in: Praktische Gids: De positie van het slachtoffer binnen de strafrechtspleging. ISBN 2-930287-12-8.
• De Pauw, H. (2003). "De Verdwijning van niet begeleide minderjarigen en minderjarige slachtoffers van mensenhandel", Panopticon, 9-30.
• Vermeulen, G., & De Pauw, H. (2003). "Missing and sexually exploited children in the EU. Epidemiological data", Antwerp-Apeldoorn, Maklu.
• Schmidburg, T., De Pauw, H., & De Schrijver, I. (2003). "Directory of civil society organisations working in the field of missing and sexually exploited children", Antwerp-Apeldoorn, Maklu.
• Vermeulen, G., & De Pauw, H. (2003). "Cooperation between civil society organisations and law enforcement services in the area of missing children. Possibilities and limits from a European legal perspective", Antwerp-Apeldoorn, Maklu.
• De Pauw, H., & Habils, K. (2005). "Een groot geheim in een klein hoofdje", Garant (book as part of a project for primary education on sexual abuse).
• De Pauw, H. (2005). "Mid-term review of the EU’s Lisbon Strategy threatens measures to counter child poverty", Children in Europe, 33.
• Vermeulen, G., & De Pauw, H. (2005). "Introduction" & "Definitions of sexually exploitation of children and missing children. Epidemiological data in the new member states", in: Vermeulen, G. (ed.), "Missing and sexually exploited children in the enlarged EU", Antwerp-Apeldoorn, Maklu, p. 11-18.
• De Pauw, H. (2018). "Geen Paniek! Waarom we onze kinderen met een gerust hart kunnen loslaten…", ("No Panic. Why we can let children grow up in confidence"). Editor: Houtekiet.
• De Pauw, H. (2016). Closing word in "Sterke meisjes huilen niet. Vijf jaar in handen van een tienerpooier" ("Strong girls don’t cry. Five years in the hands of teenage pimps") by Lore T. & Frauke Joossen. Editor: Lannoo.
• De Pauw, H. (2022). Foreword in "Dijende Kringen. Kinderlokker zet buurt op stelten" ("Thigh Circles. Child molester disturb neighborhood") by Kris Vanhoeck. Editor: Ertsberg.
• De Pauw, H. (2022). Contribution in "Een alledaags wonder. 50 verhalen over verbinding en betrokkenheid" (An everyday wonder. 50 stories about connection and commitment.) by Steven Eggermont, Peter Vermeersch ed. Editor: Lannoo Campus.
• De Pauw, H. (2024). "Tussen Gruwel en Hoop. 30 jaar op de bres voor de rechten van minderjarigen.", ("Between Horror and Hope: 30 Years of Defending the Rights of Minors"). Editor: Borgerhoff-Lambrigts.

References

1. Web site: Heidi De Pauw: "Ik sta nog altijd met veel goesting op om dat steentje te verleggen in het belang van kinderen" . Radio 1 . Dutch . 2024-07-09.
2. Web site: ECLAG . Child Safety in Europe . 2024-07-09.
3. Web site: Europol sorgt sich um verschwundene Flüchtlingskinder . Frankfurter Rundschau . 10 January 2019 . German . 2024-07-09.
4. Web site: Heidi De Pauw . University of Ghent . 2024-07-09.
5. Web site: Belgium can't keep Islamic State fighters' families out . Deutsche Welle . 2024-07-09.
6. Web site: Megakinderpornozaak België: de schrik van elke ouder . De Telegraaf . Dutch . 2024-07-09.
7. Web site: Heidi De Pauw: Geen Paniek . Het Belang van Limburg . Dutch . 2024-07-09.
8. Web site: Geen Paniek . Hebban . Dutch . 2024-07-09.
9. News: Child Focus: Europe's Amber Alert . BBC News . 18 June 2002 . 2024-07-09.
10. Web site: Heidi De Pauw stopt na 20 jaar bij Child Focus: "Vorig jaar hadden we 32% meer verdwijningen, een signaal dat het niet goed gaat met de jeugd" . Het Laatste Nieuws . Dutch . 2024-07-09.
11. Web site: Heidi De Pauw stops as CEO of Child Focus after 12 years . De Standaard . Dutch . 2024-07-09.
12. Web site: Heidi De Pauw stops as CEO of Child Focus after 12 years . Het Laatste Nieuws . Dutch . 2024-07-09.
13. Web site: Heidi De Pauw, directrice de Child Focus: "Osez laisser partir votre enfant" . Plus Magazine . 25 June 2019 . French . 2024-07-09.
14. Web site: OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting 2005 . OSCE . 2024-07-09.
15. Web site: Child Focus CEO Heidi De Pauw: "Ik heb geleerd dat ik mijn emoties niet moet wegsteken" . De Tijd . Dutch . 2024-07-09.
16. Web site: Heidi De Pauw . Cumuleo . Dutch . 2024-07-09.
17. Web site: Heidi De Pauw vertrekt bij Child Focus . 2024-07-09 . VRT NWS . 23 April 2024 . Dutch.
18. Web site: Na 12 jaar kondigt Heidi De Pauw haar vertrek bij Child Focus aan . 2024-07-09 . Child Focus . Dutch.
19. Web site: President's engagements February 17, 2019 . 2024-07-09 . Times of Malta. 17 February 2019 .
20. Web site: 20 Years of Action for Missing Children . 2024-07-09 . Missing Children Europe. 21 November 2022 .
21. Web site: Heidi De Pauw . 2024-07-09 . Cumuleo.
22. Web site: Minor Ndako Jaarverslag 2020 . 2024-07-09 . Minor Ndako . Dutch.
23. Web site: Heidi De Pauw in bestuur VRT . 2024-07-09 . De Bestuurder . 23 June 2023 . Dutch.
24. Web site: CEO Child Focus Heidi De Pauw over keuzes maken, kansen geven en impact maken . 2024-07-09 . 50 Koffies . Dutch.
25. Web site: Naar een Vlaamse maatschappij met minder zelfdodingen . 2024-07-09 . De Specialist . Dutch.
26. Web site: Tout Bien Okidoki . 2024-07-09 . Bizzy . Dutch.
27. Web site: PLAZA magazine 2020 . 2024-07-09 . Le Plaza Events.
28. Web site: Heidi De Pauw: "Als criminoloog ben ik verslingerd aan true crime" . 2024-07-09 . Humo . Dutch.
29. Web site: Derde meer dossiers van verdwijningen en seksuele uitbuiting bij Child Focus: "We kunnen niet meer volgen" . 2024-07-09 . Radio 1 . Dutch.
30. Web site: Heidi De Pauw in Winteruur . 2024-07-09 . VRT MAX . Dutch.
31. Web site: Heidi De Pauw stopt na 20 jaar bij Child Focus: "Vorig jaar hadden we 32% meer verdwijningen, een signaal dat het niet goed gaat met de jeugd" . 2024-07-09 . Het Laatste Nieuws . Dutch.
32. Web site: Heidi De Pauw . 2024-07-09 . ContactOut.
33. Web site: Content Connections . 2024-07-09 . Issuu. 4 October 2013 .
34. Web site: Over ons . 2024-07-09 . Debateville . Dutch.
35. Web site: Debateville-oprichter Sophie Buysse: "Alleen als je niets doet, kan je niets verkeerd doen" . 2024-07-09 . De Tijd . Dutch.
36. Web site: Heidi De Pauw vertrekt bij Child Focus . 2024-07-09 . VRT NWS . 23 April 2024 . Dutch.
37. Web site: Child Focus-directrice Heidi De Pauw: "Haal de kinderen terug" . 2024-07-09 . VRT NWS . 14 October 2019 . Dutch.
38. Web site: King Philippe of Belgium awards ten titles of nobility and honorary decorations . 2024-07-09 . The Brussels Times.
39. Web site: Antwerp Diamonds FC . 2024-07-09 . Pappers . French.
40. Web site: Vrienden Heidi De Pauw en Walter Damen: "Als ik echt kwaad ben, klop ik op mijn boksbal" . 2024-07-09 . Knack . 26 August 2023 . Dutch.
41. Web site: Meet the INHOPE Board: Heidi De Pauw . 2024-07-09 . INHOPE.
42. Web site: Pro League en Child Focus investeren in welzijn jongste spelers . 2024-07-09 . Pro League . Dutch.
43. Web site: 92 Radio Radzinski met Heidi De Pauw over Child Focus en machos in de voetbalwereld . 2024-07-09 . BRUZZ . Dutch.
44. Web site: Heidi De Pauw stopt bij Child Focus en wil competenties inzetten voor andere projecten . 2024-07-09 . De Morgen . Dutch.
45. Web site: Heidi De Pauw says goodbye to Child Focus, but who is this CEO who is also in good standing with the royal family? . 2024-07-09 . Ground News.
46. Web site: Ylim . 2024-07-09 . YLIM.
47. Web site: Heidi De Pauw . 2024-07-09 . Cumuleo . Dutch.
48. Web site: We hebben een eerste minister nodig met het leiderschap van Filip . 2024-07-09 . De Morgen . Dutch.
49. Web site: Parliamentary Working Group on the protection of children . 2024-07-09 . Senate of Belgium . Dutch.
50. Web site: Heidi De Pauw . 2024-07-09 . University of Ghent.
51. Web site: Evaluation EU MS THB legislation . 2024-07-09 . ICMPD.
52. Web site: To a feminist voice: To the agency of women against trafficking and forced labour - Closing speech by the President of UMAR . 2024-07-09 . ResearchGate.
53. Web site: Report of the Experts Group on Trafficking in Human Beings . 2024-07-09 . La Strada International.

External links

• Child Focus