Lykke Friis (born 27 October 1969) is a Danish academic official and former politician. She is currently Prorector for Education at the University of Copenhagen, a position she previously held from 2006 to 2009. A member of the party Venstre, Friis served as Minister for Climate and Energy from 2009 to 2011, and Minister for Gender Equality from 2010 to 2011."Lykke Friis meldte sig ind i Venstre i nat", borsen.dk, 24 November 2009John Acher (November 24, 2009), Denmark proposes Hedegaard for new EU climate job Reuters.
Early life and education Lykke Friis is the daughter of a Danish father and a German mother. She graduated from Øregård Gymnasium and studied political science at the University of Copenhagen. Lykke Friis obtained her M.Sc. in economics and political science from London School of Economics in 1992, followed by a M.Sc. in political science from University of Copenhagen in 1993. She got a PhD in international politics from the University of Copenhagen in 1997."Portræt af Lykke Friis", borsen.dk, 24 November 2009 Eisenhower Fellowships selected Friis in 2002 to represent Denmark.
Career Friis has worked as an academic in the Ministry of Economic and Business Affairs, and as a researcher in Dansk Udenrigspolitisk Institut. From 2003 until 2006, she was head of European Politics in the Confederation of Danish Industries. She has taught at both the University of Copenhagen Faculty of Social Sciences and at Copenhagen Business School in international relations.
During her time as minister, Friis presided over the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. In 2011, she oversaw the Danish government's plan to wean itself off coal, oil and natural gas by 2050 by boosting energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources.John Acher (February 24, 2011), Denmark, Britain urge deeper CO2 EU emissions cut Reuters.
Friis has contributed to newspapers, radio, TV, and seminars on EU-related issues, and has written a number of articles and books and such subjects. Her ability to make the EU material accessible secured her the DR Rosenkjærprisen in 2008."Lykke Friis får DRs Rosenkjærpris for 2008" , www.dr.dk, 26 November 2009
Other activities Corporate boards Vestas, Member of the Board of Directors (2014-2018)Change in the Board of Directors of Vestas Wind Systems A/S Vestas, press release of July 6, 2018.
Non-profit organizations Danish Foreign Policy Society, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors Board of Directors Danish Foreign Policy Society. Rockwool Fonden, Member of the Board of DirectorsBoard of Directors Rockwool Fonden. European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), Co-chair (since 2019) Trilateral Commission, Member of the European GroupMembership Trilateral Commission. International Crisis Group (ICG), Board of Trustees (since 2012)Crisis Group Announces New Board Members International Crisis Group (ICG), press release of July 2, 2012.
Personal life Friis is known as a connoisseur of German football and is a fan of FC Bayern Munich."Lykke Friis om Bayern, pigefodbold og AGF", stiften.dk, 13 June 2011
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