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Below article was published in “WMB Now”‘s Newsflash on 9 September 2024.

The Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has established an Online Health Taskforce to develop a public health response to harms caused to children and young people by certain types of online activity.

The Taskforce is being chaired by children’s rights advocate Jillian van Turnhout. It has been set up inn recognition of a growing body of evidence from Ireland and internationally, showing the link between online activity and physical and mental health harms including anxiety, sleep deprivation, eating disorders, self-harm and suicide ideation.

While there have been a number of legislative actions in recent months at Irish and EU level, aimed at regulating online activity and improving safety, it is clear that a comprehensive health-led approach is also required. The Taskforce has been asked to consider the range of social, mental health, physical health and sexual harms and to recommend strategic responses to address these harms.

Minister Donnelly said:

“I firmly believe that the harms to young people as a result of online interactions constitute a public health crisis. While I recognise that technology and social media can have many benefits, we need to ensure that robust mechanisms are put in place that protect young people.

“In recognition of the critical nature of this problem, I am allocating €1 million in annual funding for national awareness campaigns, aimed at increasing the knowledge and understanding of young people, parents and guardians about the potential harms associated with some online activity. An additional €200,000 will be allocated to CyberSafe Kids to facilitate the great work they do in supporting children, parents and educators.”

Chair of the Online Health Taskforce Jillian van Turnhout said: “I am grateful to Minister Donnelly for initiating this important taskforce and for entrusting me with its leadership. I am excited by the opportunity that it presents to positively impact the lives of children and young people.

 

“While online access provides a multitude of benefits, I am concerned by the persistent and, all too often, harmful targeting of children and young people.

The taskforce will consult, review evidence, and bring forward recommendations to provide robust protection and safeguarding mechanisms.”

About Jillian van Turnhout

Jillian is a Chartered Director and is accredited in corporate governance by INSEAD. A former independent Senator, she influenced legislation on public health issues and advocated for the rights of children and young people. Her previous roles include serving as Chief Executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance, President of the National Youth Council of Ireland, Board Chair of Early Childhood Ireland and Co-founder of the European Youth Forum. Jillian has been awarded the Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite from France, an Honorary Fellowship from the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, and the WAGGGS Medal of Service in 2023.

“It’s happening on our watch, and we have a responsibility to act.”  Jillian van Turnhout

The Taskforce will hold its first meeting this month and will deliver an interim report within six months. Its final report will be submitted in September 2025. 

The members of the Taskforce also include:

Professor Mary Horgan

Professor Mary Horgan is interim Chief Medical Officer and Professor of Infectious Diseases at University College Dublin (UCD) and Mater Misericordiae University Hospital.

Niamh Hodnett

Niamh is the Online Safety Commissioner at Coimisiún na Meán. She oversees the organisation’s Policy Division and the development of the Online Safety Code is one of her main priorities.

Dr Brian Mac Namee

Dr Brian Mac Namee joined the School of Computer Science at UCD where he is an associate professor in 2015, and in 2024 became UCD Site Director at the Insight Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Data Analytics.

Professor Debbie Ging

Professor Debbie Ging is Professor of Digital Media and Gender in the School of Communications at DCU and Director of the DCU Institute for Research on Genders and Sexualities.

Alex Cooney

Alex co-founded Cybersafe Ireland, now known as CyberSafeKids, and is currently its CEO, helping to build the organisation to a level where it is providing its services to thousands of children each year.

Professor Philip Dodd

Professor Philip Dodd is Mental Health Policy and Clinical Specialist at the Department of Health and is also National Clinical Advisor with the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP).

Eoghan Cleary

Eoghan Cleary is an assistant principal, teacher and coordinator of SPHE and curricular wellbeing at Temple Carraig Secondary School in Greystones. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre.

Noeline Blackwell

Human Rights lawyer Noeline Blackwell joined the Children’s Rights Alliance last year as Online Safety Co-ordinator. She chairs the Independent Patient Safety Council and the Child Law Project. In 2023, she was appointed as a member of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission.

Rachel Harper

Rachel is an experienced educational leader and school principal. She is a member of Oide’s leadership panel, mentoring newly appointed principals. She is the founder and campaign leader of ‘It Takes A Village’.

Professor Pete Lunn

Pete Lunn is the founder and head of the ERSI Behavioural Research Unit (BRU). He is a member of a European Commission expert group for a Fair and Sustainable Economy. He is an Adjunct Professor in the Dept. of Economics at TCD and teaches behavioural economics at both TCD and UCD.

Dr Abigail Collins

Abbey is a Consultant in Public Health Medicine and the National Clinical Lead for Child Health Public Health within the HSE. She leads on the HSE’s universal programme for children, the National Healthy Childhood Programme.

The Taskforce will also include two representatives of the National Youth Assembly of Ireland.

Pictured (left–right): Professor Mary Horgan, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, Chair of Online Health Taskforce, Jillian van Turnhout and CyberSafe Kids co-founder and CEO Alex Cooney.

For the past two years, I have served on the Board of The PSA Ireland. In May, I stepped up to the role of Chair (with thanks to Minister Helen McEntee for appointing me).

It is an honour, and yes, the view from the Chair is different. Thankfully, I am supported by an incredibly talented board with a broad spectrum of skills to guide me through this journey.

 

RTE’s Prime Time Show of 6 June 2024 examined the failures of the Charities Regulator to address public concerns, focusing on issues within the Peter McVerry Trust, repeated crises at the former Kerry-based Animal Heaven Animal Rescue, and the now-defunct Cat Haven charity in Cork.

A number of experts were interviewed for the report. Jillian van Turnhout, as a Chartered Director Certified in Corporate Governance was one of them.

One of the topics of the program was a series of donations to the Peter McVerry Trust by the Capuchin Day Centre for Homeless People charity. These donations were specifically earmarked for the purpose of purchasing certain properties.  

An internal finance report of the Peter McVerry Trust reveals that over €1.3 million of one of the earmarked Capuchin donations was immediately used to pay running costs and charity debts, including over €700,000 owed to the Revenue Commissioners and €500,000 to two other creditors of the McVerry Trust.

“This was a betrayal of trust,” said Jillian van Turnhout. “The Capuchins had given the money for a very specific purpose. It was explicit,” To see an email that “violates that agreement in such a short space of time and such a clear manner, it makes me question, where were the controls in place in an organisation that one person could instruct in that way?”   

For RTE’s article and link to the Prime Time Show, titled “Betrayal of Trust”, please click here. 

I was honoured to be asked to participate in a stimulating panel discussion hosted by Odgers Berndtson Ireland titled “How to transition from an Executive to a Non-Executive Director”.

Susan Kelly, Partner at Odgers Berndtson Ireland, served as the MC for the event which took place at the RDS. The distinguished panel featured Caroline McDonnell, Non-Executive Director at Scotia Bank; Davina Saint, Independent Non-Executive Director at Stripe, and myself.

Susan Kelly said, “The panelists, renowned for their expertise, shed light on the essential attributes of a successful board member and shared personal insights into the challenges and benefits they encountered on their paths to becoming Non-Executives.”

 

 

This event was significant because it was the first meeting of the year for the Odgers Berndtson Ireland Established and Emerging Female Leaders (EFL) group. The full house’s active participation indicates a promising future for Boards in Ireland.

I would like to express my gratitude to Odgers Berndtson Ireland for inviting me to be on the panel. Additionally, I thank the audience and fellow panellists for a stimulating and engaging conversation.

Have you considered having a Governance Handbook for your Board? If not, creating one could be a constructive step towards enhancing your organisation’s governance practices.

A Directors’ [Trustees’] Handbook is a valuable resource for incoming Board members to smooth their induction onto a Board while also guiding everyone on their roles, responsibilities and duties.

“Good governance means an organisation will design and put in place policies and procedures that will make sure the organisation runs effectively.” A Governance Handbook will collect everything a Director needs in one place to ensure that they are compliant with legislation and regulations and outline policies and procedures to ensure effective governance. As an organisation grows, it should include a broad range of information.

Over the years, I have helped several clients create or review their governance handbook. The best handbooks are comprehensive, accessible, and relevant. A handbook should be a living document that clearly articulates the governance framework of your organisation. We would be happy to help you create a Handbook tailored to your organisation’s unique needs if you need assistance.

Last Friday, I completed my second term on the National Screen Advisory Committee (NSAC).

The NSAC is an independent committee that advises the Minister for Health and the Department of Health on all new proposals for population-based screening programmes and on changes to existing programmes.

It has been a privilege to be a ‘public voice’ on this primarily medical committee, drawing from a wide range of disciplines. I hope our recommendations for screening will be implemented soon and make a positive difference. There is now a public call for a ‘public voice’ representative via Stateboards.ie (link below).

Thank you to all NSAC members and the secretariat, both past and present, for your care, commitment, and public service. For most of my term, we were fortunate to be chaired by Professor Niall O’Higgins and as my term closed, it was a delight to welcome Dr Suzanne Crowe as Chair (pictured with me).

Expression of interest for appointment to the NSAC – Epidemiology, Ethics, Public Voice, Health Economics and Obstetrics Roles can be made here.

At the 38th World Conference of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, it was announced that Jillian van Turnhout was awarded a WAGGGS Medal of Service. The WAGGGS Medal of Service is the highest form of recognition that WAGGGS can bestow and is awarded to individuals who have distinguished themselves in their outstanding service to Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting at national and global level.

In making the announcement, Jess Bond, World Board member and Chair, People Committee gave the following testimonial:

“2023 Volunteer Medal of Service is awarded to former Chief Commissioner of the Irish Girl Guides and a member of the WAGGGS Governance Committee, Jillian van Turnhout, from Ireland.

Jillian has tirelessly given her time, her knowledge, her energy and her talents to the Movement in so many varied ways, over many years of dedicated service.

Governance work is often done quietly in the background. It is because of dedicated volunteers like Jillian that WAGGGS has a strong governance backbone to support it to achieve its mission and objectives. Jillian has undertaken a variety of smaller and larger tasks as a member of the committee over the past six years, which all together add up to make an outstanding contribution to WAGGGS. Personally, as a World Board member, I know we have really benefitted from the tailored and interactive learning and development sessions she has run over the past few years.

She has also made an immeasurable contribution to the Irish Girl Guides in a wide range of roles – not only in leading the organisation as Chief Commissioner from 2004-2007 and in her current role as Company Secretary and Chair of the Governance Committee, but also by leveraging her professional expertise for guiding’s benefit. For example, using her considerable expertise in safeguarding and ensuring the organisation meets the highest standards and putting girls and young women at the heart of everything by developing a relevant and engaging programme for young members.

Jillian can do a lot herself, but she tries to open doors and give space for others to give things a go. She will be there by your side quietly helping, supporting and championing you to give it a go and to learn in a safe environment. In this way she embodies and lives our Guiding values.”

Jess Bond
World Board member and Chair, People Committee
World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts

The Medal of Service expresses gratitude to members of the Association whose service is considered to be exceptional, noteworthy and/or extraordinary in nature.

On receiving the award, Jillian van Turnhout said:

“This recognition is the highest form of recognition that WAGGGS can bestow. I am being recognised for my contributions to the WAGGGS Governance Committee and as an active volunteer with the Irish Girl Guides. Thank you, Amanda O’ Sullivan, IGG Chief Commissioner, for accepting the award on my behalf.

I am involved in guiding because I believe to we need more women in leadership and I can play a role by planting the seeds and nurturing the leadership skills of the girls and young women in the Irish Girl Guides. By using my professional governance skills, I can support guiding globally and nationally. As a young guide, I wasn’t too good at gaining badges and so to all our young members, there are always avenues open to be a Trailblazer. To be recognised among 10 million members in 155 countries is truly an immense honour, I am humbled and extremely proud. Thank you.”

At the Irish Girl Guides AGM, on 3 September 2023, Jillian van Turnhout was presented her award consisting of a certificate, medal and special pin. The presentation was made by IGG Chief Commissioner, Amanda O’Sullivan along with guest online participation of Jess Bond, World Board and Chair, People Committee and Fiona Bradley, World Board and Chair, Governance Committee.

 

I had the privilege of joining Aine Kerr on RTE Saturday with… to discuss my expertise in governance and offer insights on the recent RTE revelations. I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my knowledge with such a wide audience. Below is a short video clip. A link to the RTE website with a full playback of the entire program is at the bottom.

You can listen back here.

Carmichael is a leading training and support body for non-profit organisations in Ireland. Jillian van Turnhout is on their panel of trainers for governance.

On April 26, 2023, Carmichael held a Governance Dilemma webinar in which a panel of experts discussed a real-life governance issue that an Irish non-profit organisation had faced. Each of the panel members suggested actions that could be taken. The scenario was anonymised so that the organisation in question could not be identified. The challenge discussed by the panel was that of a board that did not take effective control and oversight of the organisation and a CEO who ignored the board.

The panel members were:

Andrew Madden
Head of Training, Consultancy & Communications at Carmichael.
Andrew enjoys working in the non-profit sector where he sees people motivated by a desire to make a real and positive difference. He is particularly passionate about governance in non-profit organisations as he believes that well-governed organisations are best placed to achieve and realise their own objectives to the fullest.

Gerry Egan
Chartered Director, Company Secretary, consultant, and trainer.
Gerry works with a variety of commercial and non-profit clients specialising in corporate governance, data protection, and strategy and change.

Jillian van Turnhout
Consultant, Chartered Director, and certified by INSEAD in corporate governance.
Jillian has been a CEO, Chair and is an experienced Non-Executive Director (State, Charity, and Commercial boards).

The panel was chaired by Diarmaid Ó Corrbuí, CEO of Carmichael Diarmaid has extensive experience as a board chair and a board member in a number of charities and with working with boards and providing governance support and advice. He is actively involved in the Good Governance Awards, Mentoring, and the Board Chairs Network initiatives led by Carmichael.

Each of the panel members gave a number of possible responses and actions that could be taken by the board in the scenario outlined.

After the panel discussion, Diarmaid Ó Corrbuí, the Chair of the Panel, made the following remarks:

“It can be extremely stressful for people who have stepped onto boards in a voluntary capacity and are trying to do their best but are coming up against difficulties like this. That can be really challenging for a person’s mental health so that’s important to bear in mind and again to make sure there is a team of allies behind you.

The Charities Governance Code can be a great tool to help review your governance structures and compliance. You can use it as a conversation starter since all charities are required to comply with it so it can be a way to encourage the Board to consider a Board evaluation, address trustee recruitment, or review its strategy as these are all specific standards in the Code.”

If you would like to join the Carmichael Governance Dilemma mailing list, sign up here.

The title of the event is ‘The Business of Social Enterprise, a challenging and provocative examination of social enterprise as a business model.’

It takes place in the Apex Theatre, Tallaght on Thursday March 9th 2023, 10.00 to 12.00

“There is a growing awareness of Social Enterprise among the public and businesses alike. However, while it is becoming understood in terms of social impact, it is less understood in terms of being an actual business model capable of profitability, scaling and international expansion. This conference examines Social Enterprise as a business model. The seminar is co-hosted by Partas, SERI and South Dublin LEO. The venue is the new theatre called The Apex, in the Tallaght Enterprise Centre which is currently undergoing a multi-million euro redevelopment by Partas as a major Food Hub for Tallaght.”

Agenda

Welcome by Tom Rooney, CEO, South Dublin Local Enterprise Office

Speakers:

John Kearns – CEO, Partas
Moderator

Lorraine Corcoran – Director, SERI
Snapshot of Social Enterprise as a business sector.

Carol Gibbons – Divisional Manager Regions & Local Enterprise, Enterprise Ireland
Relating to Social Enterprises as businesses

To be advised – Social Entrepreneurs Ireland
The vital role of the entrepreneur in social enterprise

Angela Ruttledge – Public Affairs and Stakeholder Management, FoodCloud
The business model as part of the DNA of a Social Enterprise

Gavin Callan – Procurement Director CBRE The gaps and opportunities for Social Enterprises to play with the big guys

Jillian van Turnhout – Governance Consulting
Social Enterprises need enterprising boards

Participation is by prior booking only at:

Register here