Curriculum Vitae

Sif Holst

Date of birth: 27/03/1975 │ Nationality: Danish │ Gender: Female ¦ (+45) 20935087 │ sho@handicap.dk │ Danneskiold-Samsøes Allé 44 st.tv., 1434, Copenhagen K, Denmark

Work Experience

25/04/2015 – Current – Taastrup, Denmark

Work Experience – Disabled People’s Organisations Denmark

As vice-chair of the Danish disability umbrella I speak on behalf of persons with disabilities in Denmark and serve on a large number of boards, steering committees and other activities. I am specialised in physical accessibility and universal design as well as health issues, but I have worked with most areas related to disability. Examples of current activities not listed below are projects on introducing universal design to engineers (DTU), architects (KADK) and designers (Design
Kolding) and updating a White Paper on Rehabilitation.

21/09/2020 – Current – Bruxelles, Belgium

COMMITTEE MEMBER – EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE

As member I serve on the sections on Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society (TEN), on Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship (SOC) and on External Relations (REX). I am the Vice President of the Ad Hoc Group on Equality, a member of the Thematic Group on Disability Rights and a member of the Group 3 (Diversity Group) Bureau. I am currently part om the Study Group on European Missions, New EU urban mobility framework, New European Bauhaus and have also served on for example the Study Group on Emerging stronger from the pandemic, Strategy on the rights of persons with disabilities, Europe’s beating cancer plan and Social Economy/Job Creation. Before becomming a member I served as an alternate since September 2013.

13/10/2021 – Current – Copenhagen, Denmark

BOARDMEMBER – THE DANISH INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

The institute is the independent national human rights institution as well as national equality body in relation to race and ethnicity and gender and the institute has a special role in the disability area where we promote and monitor the implementation of the UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities. As board member I am a part of the governing body and have a central role when it comes to disability.

01/04/2017 – Current – Stockholm, Sweden

COMMITTEE MEMBER – NORDIC COUNCIL’S COMMITTEE ON DISABILITY

As appointed expert and committee member I council the Nordic Council on disability issues and the Committee can also raise issues and undertake initiatives. Most recently I am been a member of the project on new technology as a tool for increased inclusion of persons with disabilities on the labour market. Before becomming a member I have been an alternate from the beginning of the Committee in November 2013. On a Nordic level I am also a board member of the Disability Organisations Nordic Council.

01/03/2019 – Current – Taastrup, Denmark

VICE CHAIRPERSON – KNOWLEDGE CENTER ON DISABILITY

The Knowledge Center on Disability is focused on ensuring that persons with disabilities can live active lives and can be a part of socitey. As vice chair I have especially been active when it comes to a project focusing on Nature for all.

01/09/2014 – Current – Taastrup, Denmark

CHAIRPERSON – THE DANISH DISABILITY FUND

The Danish Disability Fund is administered by Disabled People’s Organisations Denmark and funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Denmark. The Disability Fund is founded on a shared aim of realising the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and it supports cooperation between Danish Organisations of persons with disabilities and likeminded organisations in the Global South. And as chairperson I guide the grant committee and the continued organisation of the work, as well as participating in the examination of the applications.

16/03/2018 – Current – Taastrup, Denmark

CHAIRPERSON – GOD ADGANG

The Danish Accessibility Association informs about the physical accessibility of buildings and outside areas. As chair I guide the work and the continued development of the Accessibility Scheme. Current key areas are the accessibility of the health sector and of the municipal level (which for example includes city halls, schools and sport facilities) and focus on Tourism for All and Nature for All.

01/03/2021 – Current – Aalborg, Denmark

COUNCIL MEMBER – DANISH HEALTH TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL

The primary objective of the Danish Health Technology Council is to target Danish healthcare resources at the technologies and interventions that provide best value for money, across both physical and mental health services. As council member I focus on ensuring equality of health and bringing attention to vulnerable groups in the health care system. such as persons with a disability.

19/05/2021 – Current – Copenhagen, Denmark

BOARDMEMBER – SUS SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER

SUS is an independent nonprofit consultancy focusing on user driven social innovation in order to create better conditions of life for socially vulnerable people. An example is a project on the prevention of violence in connection with users of the healthcare or social sector.

01/04/2020 – Current – Copenhagen, Denmark

CONSULTANT – MENNESKER & MENING

A communication company focused on diversity and achieving an inclusive society. As consultant I support the CEO, my husband, in his work. Including work related to our joint book, “Lad os snakke om smerter” (let us talk about pain).

01/09/2014 – Current – Copenhagen, Denmark

MEMBER – DANISH DISABLED PERSON’S AIR TRAVEL COUNCIL

Danish Disabled Person’s Air Travel Council works to create better conditions for persons with disabilities travelling by air. Two of the topics I have focused on is the introduction of the Sunflower Scheme for persons with invisible disabilities and unlawful restrictions by airplanes regarding wheelchair size.

01/05/2017 – 31/03/2021 – Aarhus, Denmark

BOARD MEMBER – CABI – BETTER WORK FOR ALL

Cabi is focused on securing better opportunities on the labour market for vulnerable unemployed. I was central to bringing increased attention to persons with disabilities, including showcasing the potential of employees with a disability.

01/08/2013 – 31/03/2020 – Copenhagen, Denmark

HEALTH POLITICAL CONSULTANT – FSF DANISH FIBROMYALGIA AND PAIN ASSOCIATION

The association is a disability organization working for persons with fibromyalgia and other types of chronic pain. During my employment I helped move the organization from a situation where there is no contact with health authorities or the politicians making the decisions. I participated in the development of new chronic pain guidelines, established political connections and prepared the organization for the upcoming ICD-11 classification.

01/12/2008 – 31/07/2013 – Hvidovre, Denmark

ORGANISATIONAL CONSULTANT – SUMH ASSOCIATION OF YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES

The youth disabilities umbrella is focused on empowering the youth and giving them a chance to lead. I was headhunted to establish the development programme and empower youth with disabilities in Uganda. That partnership is still running and there are now additional projects in Sierra Leone and Rwanda. I also worked with empowering youth with disabilities in Denmark and help them raise awareness through campaigns.

01/06/2005 – 30/11/2008 – Copenhagen, Denmark

DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT – DHF DISABLED ASSOCIATION FOR THE DISABLED

DHF works to improve the lives of people with a physical disability. The Association has an office for development partnerships in the Global South and when I worked there my main project was the establishment of an association for youth with a physical disability in Ghana and secondary strengthening women with disabilities in Ghana.

Education and training

01/07/2005 – 31/12/2005 – Denmark

CONFLICT RESOLUTION FOR VOLUNTEERS – Danish Center for Conflict Resolution

01/10/1996 – 30/04/1997 – Denmark

ADULT EDUCATION BASIC EDUCATION – DSU and Roskilde Højskole

Language Skills

Mother tongue(s): DANISH
Other language(s):

Listening Reading Spoken production Spoken interaction Writing
English
C2
C2
C2
C2
C2
German
B1
B1
A2
A2
A1
French
A2
A2
A1
A1
A1
Swedish
B2
B1
A1
A1
A1
Spanish
A1
A1
A1
A1
A1

Digital Skills

IT skills

Social Media

Sif Holst

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