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.
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. 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.
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.
Corporate boards
Vestas, Member of the Board of Directors (2014-2018)
Non-profit organizations
Danish Foreign Policy Society, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors
Rockwool Fonden, Member of the Board of Directors
European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), Co-chair (since 2019)
Trilateral Commission, Member of the European Group
International Crisis Group (ICG), Board of Trustees (since 2012)
Personal life
Friis is known as a connoisseur of German football and is a fan of FC Bayern Munich.