Her Majesty Queen Silvia, founder of the World Childhood Foundation, and Princess Madeleine of Sweden visit New York City for 25th anniversary events

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On Wednesday, September 25, the Consul General of Sweden in New York City, together with the World Childhood Foundation, hosted a dinner in honor of Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden and Her Royal Highness Princess Madeleine’s visit to New York. Pictured from left to right: HE Ambassador Erik Ullenhag, Her Royal Highness Princess Madeleine, Her Majesty Queen Silvia, Executive Director of the World Childhood Foundation-USA Mary L. Pulido, PhD. (Photo credit: Louis Chan)

On Thursday, September 26, World Childhood Foundation USA organized a summit entitled “Digital Guardians: combating child sexual abuse online,” including a panel of leading experts in the field who discussed the biggest issues endangering children’s online safety today, particularly how technology has created even more complex and fruitful opportunities for offenders to reach children. Emmy Award-winning journalist Jeff Glor moderated the panel and Mary Pulido, PhD, executive director of Childhood USA, delivered an opening address. Her Majesty Queen Silvia spoke from the podium about the terrifying new challenge to be faced: artificial intelligence.

“The rapid evolution of technology has become both a shield and a weapon,” said Her Majesty Queen Silvia. “On the one hand, it gives us tools to protect, educate and connect children in ways never before possible. But on the other hand, it promotes unimaginable harm. We must ensure that children can grow up safely in a digital world. …I feel hope. We must win this battle.”

Fifty specially invited guests gathered for the morning summit in New York City at the Polsinelli law firm, hosted by Childhood USA board member Daniel Flanigan and Verizon. Pulido encouraged guests to engage and use the summit as a platform for action.

“This was a crucial summit of experts, leaders and advocates who are passionate about solving this growing problem and protecting children worldwide,” said Pulido. “We must harness this energy and knowledge and work to hold technology companies and governments accountable, give parents tools to have informational conversations with their children, and support organizations, like Childhood and others, that are at the forefront of this fight.”

The panel speakers were: Jim Cole, the Chief of Law Enforcement Enterprise & Technology at Operation Light Shine and retired Supervisory Special Agent at Homeland Security Investigations; Elizabeth LetourneauPhD, professor and director at the Moore Center for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; Sarah Gardnerthe co-founder and CEO of Heat Initiative; Camille Kuiper, the Vice President of Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation for the Tim Tebow Foundation.

Moderated by Glor, the discussion included how advances in artificial intelligence can pose challenges and dangers, but can also be used to improve the detection and prevention of online child sexual abuse. They highlighted the specific actions and responsibilities tech companies must take to ensure their platforms are safe for children, and the legislative measures currently in place and policies that need to be added or strengthened. Finally, each panelist described practical steps the general public can take to contribute to the prevention of online child sexual abuse.

The evening before the summit, on Wednesday, September 25, the Consul General of Sweden in New York City, HE Ambassador Erik Ullenhag, hosted an intimate dinner in honor of Her Majesty Queen Silvia and Princess Madeleine at the Swedish Residence. Sixty guests were welcomed to help commemorate Childhood’s 25th anniversary and learn about the achievements the nonprofit has achieved and the progress still to come.

“Now more than ever we need to work together to ensure every child is protected from harm,” Princess Madeleine said on the evening. “What we have achieved is the result of tireless advocacy, collective efforts and the dedication of individuals and organizations around the world. To continue this momentum, we must push for even greater efforts and more substantial investments in child protection.”

Visit Childhood USA’s website to learn more about the organization’s mission and the programs they fund.

About World Childhood Foundation USA

Founded 25 years ago by Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden, Childhood USA’s mission is to inspire, promote and develop solutions to end sexual abuse, exploitation and violence against children. Childhood USA supports programs serving children disproportionately affected by child sexual abuse and exploitation, including children with disabilities, children who are homeless or in the foster care system, and children from LBGTQ+ and other marginalized communities. Childhood USA also funds research to identify legislative gaps in the current system that need to be strengthened in both the prevention and response to in-person and online sexual abuse and exploitation.

Kriskey + Lane Communications

Susan Kriskey, [email protected]

Marni Lane, [email protected]

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