A member of the board of directors for nearly 10 years and elected president of the association in June 2026, Kevin O’Sullivan talks to us about his career, his commitment, and what motivates him.
My encounter with Planète Enfants & Développement—even if it was purely by chance—felt right from the start.
A journey shaped by Nepal?
My journey took me to Nepal as a child, where my father had settled in 1983. I was 11 years old when I went to visit him for the first time. A year later, I spent an entire year there, in Bodhnath, on the outskirts of Kathmandu. It was a year that left a lasting impression on the teenager I was. My father, who had gone to Nepal to study Buddhism, helped me discover the country’s immense diversity and challenged many of my cultural assumptions. Thirty years later, I remarried a young woman born in Cambodia but raised in Vietnam. As I learned about her family’s history, I discovered that Planète Enfants & Développement (then known as SOS Children’s Villages Cambodia) had played a pivotal role in her life.
When my colleague and friend Arnaud Barentin asked me to join the Board of Directors in 2017, I didn’t hesitate to submit my application.
Why accept the presidency?
After ten years of following the organization’s development—first as a board member and then as an alternate treasurer—it seemed to me that my experience managing nonprofit organizations could provide valuable support to the executive committee.
But what really convinced me was that the executive committee and the Board of Directors are made up of people with outstanding qualities and skills, both personal and professional. It seems to me that there is a wonderful synergy and camaraderie among these motivated individuals, all dedicated to bringing the organization’s mission to life.
When you first learned about Planète Enfants & Développement's projects, what made the biggest impression on you?
Projects aimed at protecting women in Nepal have made a particularly strong impression on me. My father often spoke to me about the scourge of trafficking in women. These situations—which stem from a lack of education, a lack of resources, and a lack of opportunities—outrage me.
Furthermore, the fact that my wife and her family were able to benefit from the support provided by Planète Enfants & Développement demonstrates the fundamental role played by access to knowledge and culture, as well as growing up in a peaceful environment from a very young age.
In your opinion, what are the main challenges today for the children and families that the organization supports?
Situations vary greatly depending on the context, the country, and the family. However, the issues at stake fall into two categories: the material conditions in which the family lives, and the sociocultural and educational conditions of the “educational community” that interacts with the family and the children.
A key challenge is developing our programs, collaborating with local stakeholders, and building networks that allow us to reach as many families and children as possible.
What priorities do you hope to focus on as president?
My expertise lies less in programs and more in organizations. I see my role as that of a team facilitator, helping our organization adapt to changes in the environments in which it operates.
Together with the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors, and the Management Committee, I look forward to continuing the association’s efforts to adapt and maintain high standards, while seeking the best organizational model to address future changes.
How do you view the role of those who support the organization?
In my view, the development of networks and communication is essential. We need to be able to reach as many people as possible and show them what we're doing.
Pro bono support—the donation of expertise—is also a very important issue. It is through everyone’s commitment, according to their own availability and skills, that we can make this happen.
Was there a particular encounter, experience, or moment that strengthened your commitment to children’s rights?
Like many people, I was deeply moved by the image of little Alan Kurdi in September 2015. That image, which embodies the horror and tragedy of a family whose only hope was to live in safety, stands alone as a symbol of all the injustices we must fight against.
There are also the lyrics from Maxime Le Forestier’s song “Être né quelque part”: “You don’t choose your parents; you don’t choose your family…” I think that says it all.
What message would you like to share with the people who support Planète Enfants & Développement?
Now more than ever, we need each and every one of you.
Working with Planète Enfants & Développement to support early childhood, parenting, and women’s empowerment means taking action at the most fundamental level to create the conditions for a better life and a better life together.
We need your support for our work in France and in all the countries where we operate.
And finally, what helps you recharge on a daily basis?
Whenever I get the chance, playing outdoor sports is what gives me a breather.
Sports, as a way to explore natural environments and connect with others, have always played a vital role in my life. That, among other things, is what I’ve always tried to convey and share with my children.
