Over the last few years, Simon Woell has worked as preventing violent extremism specialist with UNDP in regional and country-level positions in the Asia-Pacific region and in the Middle East. During that time, he engaged in track one and two talks to develop comprehensive national and regional programs aiming at increasing human and community security. In his latest position, Simon managed a portfolio that aimed at empowering local communities, with a special focus and women and youth organizations, to build resilience towards radicalization and recruitment, and to create strong civil society networks to enhance social cohesion and community security.

Simon brings with him two Master’s degrees in security studies and international politics from University College London and the University of Innsbruck, respectively. His fields of expertise include political violence, intra-state and human security, and the study of violent extremism.