Meet the speakers 2025

Meet the speakers

The annual Planet Youth Conference 2025:
The Cultural Transferability of the Icelandic Prevention Model

Jón Sigfússon is the Chairman of Planet Youth, leading efforts to implement evidence-based, community-focused strategies to improve youth well-being through the Icelandic Prevention Model. With extensive experience in youth health promotion, Jón has coordinated numerous projects and shared his expertise as a speaker at international conferences, advocating for proven, effective prevention methods.

Jón Sigfússon

Chairman of the Board of Planet Youth

Upstream Prevention Strategies for Youth Well-being

Day 1

Dagur B. Eggertsson is an Icelandic politician and current Member of Parliament. He served as the Mayor of Reykjavík and was vice chairman of the Social Democratic Alliance from 2009 to 2013. First elected to the Reykjavík City Council in 2002, Dagur became mayor on October 16, 2007. A physician by education, he also holds a master’s degree in human rights and international law from the University of Lund in Sweden. Dagur played a key role in implementing the Icelandic Model in Reykjavík following the foundation of ICSRA.

Dagur B. Eggertsson

Patron of Planet Youth, MP, and Former Mayor of Reykjavík

Professor Ilona Kickbusch is a leading expert in global health and health promotion. As the founding director of the Global Health Centre in Geneva, she has played a pivotal role in shaping international health policies, including contributing to the WHO's landmark Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion. A distinguished advisor to governments and organizations worldwide, Ilona’s work focuses on health governance, equity, and global health diplomacy. Her lifelong contributions to public health have earned her numerous accolades, cementing her status as a visionary leader in global health.

Professor Ilona Kickbusch

Founder and Chair of the Global Health Centre at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva

Dr. Páll Ríkharðsson, CEO of Planet Youth, is a leading expert in service development and international primary prevention strategies. With a PhD in business and extensive experience across Europe, Páll has been instrumental in implementing the Icelandic Prevention Model globally, helping communities create healthier futures for youth.

Dr. Páll Ríkharðsson

CEO of Planet Youth

Dr. Álfgeir Kristjánsson is a Professor of Public Health at West Virginia University and Center PI for the West Virginia Prevention Research Center. He earned his PhD in Social Medicine from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden and completed his postdoctoral fellowship at Columbia University. Dr. Kristjánsson has published extensively on adolescent behavioral development and the well-being of children and youth, with over 100 peer-reviewed manuscripts in public health, preventive medicine, and health education.

Dr. Álfgeir Kristjánsson

Professor at West Virginia University

Dr. Ingibjorg Eva Thorisdottir is Planet Youth’s Chief Analytics and Advisory Officer. At Planet Youth, she ensures that the data collection runs smoothly and provides feedback to our partners. Her primary focus is on mental health, dissemination practices, and upstream prevention.

Dr. Ingibjörg Eva Þórisdóttir

Chief Analytics and Advisory Officer

Dr. Mariano Montenegro is a medical doctor, psychiatrist, and expert in substance addiction with nearly 20 years of experience in public policy, clinical treatment, and demand reduction. He has served as National Director of SENDA in Chile and currently advises Latin American policymakers through roles with the UNODC and international organizations.

Dr. Mariano Montenegro

Director, Colombo Plan Office for Latin America & the Caribbean

Dr. Johan Strijdom is a Namibian who served as the Head of Division, Social Welfare, Vulnerable Groups and Drug Control in the Department of Social Affairs at the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for 11 years until his retirement. Before joining the AUC, he was the Regional Drug Control Officer at the SADC Secretariat, in Gaborone, Botswana from 2000-2004, and subsequently served as technical advisor on drug demand reduction to the Delegation of the EU Commission in Surinam from 2004-2006. Since his retirement, he has consulted on drug control, social protection, social policy, family policy and the social and solidarity economy, and is also involved as extraordinary professor in a research programme on gerontology at the North West University, South Africa.

Dr. Johan Strijdom

Extraordinary professor in a research programme on gerontology at the North West University, South Africa.

Dr. Harvey Milkman is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Metropolitan State University of Denver and a Visiting Professor at Reykjavik University since 2015. He was a Fulbright Scholar at Reykjavik University in 2019. Dr. Milkman has authored numerous scholarly works on addiction, including "Craving for Ecstasy and Natural Highs: A Positive Approach to Mood Alteration" (2nd Edition, 2019).

Dr. Harvey Milkman

Senior Policy Advisor for Planet Youth

Patricia Ros Garcia is the Regional Director for Planet Youth in Spain and Latin America. She served as the Director of the Municipal Prevention Service of Addictions in Tarragona City Hall since 1991. Patricia is a clinical psychologist from the University of Barcelona (1986) and has a Master degree in psychotherapy of groups and organizations from the University of Deusto (Bilbao 1994).

Patricia Ros Garcia

Regional Director for Spain and Latin America at Planet Youth

Mr. Aggrey David Kibenge is the Permanent Secretary of Uganda's Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development. He holds a bachelor's degree in education and a master's in public administration and management from Makerere University. With over 25 years in public administration, Mr. Kibenge has served in various capacities, including at the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, and the Office of the Prime Minister.

Mr. Aggrey David Kibenge

Permanent Secretary Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development

Planet Youth Regional Representative—Central Europe, Associate Professor, Social Work and Religious Studies, Bucharest University.

Dr. Adrian Sarbu

Planet Youth Regional Representative

Matej Košir has over 22 years of experience in prevention and advocacy related to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. He leads the Preventive Platform network in Slovenia and has contributed to over 25 European projects in health, justice, and education. As co-author of the European Prevention Curriculum (EUPC) and contributor to UNODC-WHO’s International Standards on Drug Use Prevention, Matej is a prominent leader in evidence-based prevention and international collaboration.

Matej Kosir

Utrip, Civil Society

Challenges and Opportunities in Cultural transferability

Day 2

Kristina Sperkova is a psychologist and global advocate with over 20 years of experience in health promotion and substance use prevention. As the first female International President of Movendi International, she has led innovative efforts to address alcohol harm and promote comprehensive prevention strategies worldwide. Kristina is also a Planet Youth ambassador, dedicated to improving the lives of young people through evidence-based prevention.

Kristina Sperkova

The international President of Movendi International

Anna Bára Unnarsdóttir is a knowledge specialist at Planet Youth, holding a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's in public health sciences from the University of Iceland. She previously served as a project manager and PhD student at the Centre of Public Health Sciences, University of Iceland, coordinating interdisciplinary international collaborations among nine research teams across six countries.

Anna Bára Unnarsdóttir

Knowledge Specialist at Planet Youth

Zahra Hedges is the CEO of Winning Scotland, a charity dedicated to building confidence and resilience in young people by empowering their communities. With over 15 years of leadership experience across the public, private, and third sectors, Zahra has led impactful initiatives in mental health, wellbeing, and social enterprise. She is also a dedicated mentor and board member, committed to creating positive social change.

Zahra Hedges

CEO of Winning Scotland

Marta Kristín Hreiðarsdóttir leads the Information and Planning Department at the Reykjavík Metropolitan Police. With extensive experience in addressing violence against children, substance abuse prevention, and honor-based violence, she plays a pivotal role in safeguarding youth and community well-being. Marta has also contributed to national initiatives, including COVID-19 contact tracing and policy development.

Marta Kristín Hreiðarsdóttir

Head of the information and planning department of the metropolitan police

Margrét Lilja Guðmundsdóttir is a global expert in primary prevention, dedicated to transforming youth well-being through evidence-based strategies. As Chief Knowledge Officer at Planet Youth, she leads training and knowledge-sharing efforts, supporting communities worldwide in creating healthier environments for young people. A sought-after speaker, Margrét inspires with her passion and expertise.

Margrét Lilja Guðmundsdóttir

Chief Knowledge Officer at Planet Youth

A data analyst and visualization specialist at Planet Youth since 2021. Her role at Planet Youth focuses on report creation, data cleaning, and survey setup. She has degrees in BSc. Management Information Systems and MSc. Data Analytics from Kansas State University, where she was on a full soccer scholarship. Steinunn also has over 12-year experience coaching football at all age levels at Breidablik, Iceland’s largest youth club, where she grew up playing football.

Steinunn Sigurjónsdóttir

Planet Youth Data Analyst and Visualization Specialist

Lessons from Iceland: Insight for global adaptation