Lysa John

Background

About Lysa John

I have a background in human rights, international development and social justice, with over 25 years of experience working for grassroots, national, and global networks. Highlights of my professional journey include supporting urban poor movements in India, leading transnational campaigns for the Millennium Development Goals, serving as the Head of Outreach for the UN panel that drafted the Sustainable Development Goals and working as Global Campaigns Director at Save the Children. In my current role as Secretary General of CIVICUS, I serve a global alliance of civil society organisations and activists working to strengthen citizen participation and defend civic freedoms. I have the privilege of contributing to the work of several networks in an advisory capacity, including the International Budget Partnership, the Global Partnership for Sustainable Data Development, the MIT Solve Challenge and the World Benchmarking Alliance. I stay grounded through a daily practice of yoga, meditation and gratitude. I love reading, being outdoors and celebrating the people who make me deeply happy – my family across India and South Africa and my worldwide network of friends and fellow activists.