Lisbeth Palme

Biography

Early life and studies

Anna Lisbet Christina Beck-Friis was born on 14 March 1931 in Stockholm, the daughter of civil engineer Ebbe Christian baron Beck-Friis and his wife Anna-Lisa Beck-Friis, née Bolling. She was born into the Beck-Friis branch of the Danish noble Beck family, which became established in Sweden, and her hereditary birth title was friherrinna Beck-Friis (Danish: friherreinde; English: baroness).

After graduating from the Nya Elementarskolan för flickor (New Elementary School for Girls) in Stockholm in 1950, she studied at Stockholm University, graduating in the summer of 1955.

Career

Palme worked as a children's psychologist and was during a period of time employed at Stockholm County Council, and later at the social department for Stockholm county.

She was the chairman of the Swedish UNICEF committee between 1987 and 1999, and in that role campaigned against the sexual exploitation of children. She became the international chairwoman for UNICEF between 1990 and 1991.

Palme was one of the champions for the Children's convention (Barnkonventionen) which was later established. She was a member of the Organisation of African Unity committee of investigation into the Rwandan genocide which reported its findings in 2000.