Studied History and Politics before practicing as a lobbyist in a London based Parliamentary Consultancy. He then worked for ActionAid on international communication products and strategies before becoming an adviser to several development charities. In 1995, he joined UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to set-up and implement the Reliefweb information system co-ordinating information on natural disasters and complex emergencies. Before joining the HD Centre in February 2000, he worked with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to design the Health Information Network for Advanced Planning and other emergency related information tools and systems.

A CPA by profession, holds an MBA degree specialising in finance at Bedford, UK and is presently completing a Ph.D at Murdoch University, Western Australia. He joined the HD Centre in December 2002 as an administrator working on the Aceh project, Indonesia. He has over 12 years experience as an external auditor for Arthur Andersen (serving clients like the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Asian Development Bank (ADB), Financial Analyst for USAID (South & South East Asia). He was also Head of Finance and Human Resources with British Embassy, FCO (UK) in Kathmandu.

She has a B.A in Political Science and Information and Communications Management, as well as an MSc in International Relations. Prior to joining the HD Centre in 2007, she was a research analyst at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. Her research focused on issues of political violence and terrorism in Southeast Asia, and included significant field research.

Has a degree in Political Sciences from the University of Lyon (Lyon II), France, during which she specialised in communications. She then completed a Masters in International Journalism at City University, London. After various internships in journalism and communications, she joined the HD Centre in April 2002, to assist with its communications efforts, including donor relations.

Cate has a degree in International Relations and Development Studies from the Australian National University, as well as extensive experience working in the violence prevention sector. Prior to joining the HD Centre in 2001, to manage the arms and violence reduction portfolio, she worked as a lobbyist for Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation; as a legal researcher for a public sector union; and as a campaigner for the Australian Conservation Foundation on climate change issues. In 2000, she was the programme associate for disarmament and security for the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, following which she worked for the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) as the New York liaison officer.

 

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After completing her studies in Canada and the Netherlands, she obtained a Masters degree in International Relations and International Organizations from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. Before joining the HD Centre in October 2007, she worked at the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining and the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria. In addition, she worked as an Assistant Attaché at the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations in New York.

Educated at the Universities of Fribourg and Neuchâtel in various arts disciplines, including law, he has held a range of senior positions including ICRC head of delegation in Ethiopia (1983-1986) and Myanmar (1999- 2000), Deputy Delegate General for Africa (1986-1988), Representative of Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan in the UN Office of the Coordinator for Afghanistan (1989-1990) and Programme Director for the Association Francois Xavier Bagnoud (1991-1995). His humanitarian work has taken him to live in Thailand, Bangladesh, Iran, Lebanon, Ethiopia and Myanmar, as well as spells in Geneva and Sion. 

Holds a Masters degree in Peace & Conflict from Uppsala University, Sweden as well as an LLB in Law & European Studies from the University of Surrey, UK. Before joining the HD Centre in April 2006, she worked for the Council of Europe, the Transnational Crime and Corruption Centre in Georgia and the UN Office for Project Services. In addition, she has been involved with a Georgian Human Rights NGO and has worked as a freelance journalist covering the South Caucasus region.

Joined the HD Centre in August 2000 focusing primarily on their work in Aceh, Indonesia. He has over 10 years experience in the humanitarian field and in conflict resolution. During this time he has been based in the West Bank and Gaza, Liberia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Indonesia. He holds a Masters degree in Social and Economic Policy in Developing Countries and another in International Relations.

Romain has an MA in International Relations from Sorbonne University in Paris, France. Prior joining the HD Centre in October 2007, he worked for several years as a political analyst in the framework of international electoral observation missions in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. He served for more than two years as a field researcher based in Egypt for the International Crisis Group.

Lawyer by training, worked in UNICEF in Asia, in the British Diplomatic Service, and in British NGOs, latterly as Chief Executive of ActionAid. In 1994, he rejoined the UN as Director of the Department of Humanitarian Affairs (which became OCHA) in Geneva, and then from 1998 to his departure for the HD Centre as Deputy to the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator in New York. During this period he also served as UN Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Great Lakes (1996-97) and UN Regional Coordinator in the Balkans (1999) with the rank of UN Assistant Secretary-General.

She has a Bachelors degree in Economics from the University of Geneva and has successfully completed a "Brevet Fédéral" in Personnel Management. Her professional experience includes 7 years in the Human Resources Department of BearingPoint, where she was responsible for all HR aspects of a group of 60 consultants. Before joining the HD Centre in April 2005, Suzy worked for Bunge, a Geneva-based trading company, as an International HR Specialist with a focus on Western and Eastern Europe.

Caroline holds a Masters degree in Violence, Conflict and Development from the School of Oriental and African Studies, London, and a Diploma in International Business and Cultural Studies from the University of Passau. Before joining the HD Centre in January 2008, she worked for UNDP BCPR in New York, and for the German Technical Cooperation in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Kenya, as well as worked and researched in Indonesia and Vietnam. In addition, she was employed as an intern with UNICEF Bangladesh.

Hemant holds degrees in Economics from McGill University and the University of British Columbia. He has been part of the HD Centre's mediation programme since October 2002, working on the Aceh (Indonesia), Darfur, Nepal and the Philippines projects. He is currently the Project Manager for the HD Centre's initiative in Timor-Leste and confidential projects. Hemant was also seconded to Mr. Kofi Annan's team on the Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation process from January to early March 2008. His prior work experience includes an internship with the World Trade Organization in Geneva and serving as a Head of Sub-Office for the World Food Programme in Timor-Leste.

Prior to joining the HD Centre in January 2008, Stine worked at the Danish Defense Academy (2007), the Danish Institute for International Studies (2003-6), and the Danish Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York (2005). Her field of experience also includes work for an NGO in Cairo (spring 2007) and the set up of a private consultancy in Copenhagen in 2006. As such she has been working on a variety of issues, including conflict management and resolution, UN and regional peacekeeping, as well as peace building and development. Stine has an MA in Conflict Resolution from Bradford University (UK) and an MA in International Development from Roskilde University (Denmark).

Yodit holds a Masters degree in Development Studies from the University of London's School of Oriental and African studies. Prior to joining the HD Centre in December 2004, she served as an intern for UNESCO at UN ECOSOC, and for UNHCR's Refugee Women's Unit. She also worked as the Assistant Program Coordinator to the Georgia Council for International Visitors while completing her BA in International Relations from Agnes Scott College in Atlanta, USA. 

He has been educated at Harvard University, Oxford University and the London School of Economics and served as a senior foreign correspondent and foreign policy analyst specializing in conflicts and peace processes around the world. He has also been involved in peace processes and peace-building for more than 20 years including in Nicaragua, El Salvador, Haiti, the former Yugoslavia, Northern Ireland, Guatemala and Colombia. He was appointed as Special Adviser on Colombia to the UN Secretary General in 2002. He is now a senior advisor to the HD Centre on its mediation activities.

Ram holds a doctorate in political philosophy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).  He worked as Senior Advisor on the Peace Process with the Tamil Tigers to the previous President of Sri Lanka. He was also  an Advisor on Peace and Security to the Rockefeller Foundation, where he led the Foundation's work in global initiatives related to preventing conflict. He is a member of the International Advisory Groups of the Security Council Report and the East West Management Institute, in New York, as well as of the Neelan Tiruchelvam Trust in Sri Lanka. Ram is now an Advisor to the HD Centre as well as Visiting Professor at the Department of Political Science, University of Amsterdam. 

 

After obtaining his MA in South Asian Studies at the University of Toronto, he worked for several years at the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). In 1990, he joined the UN working successively for UNDP, WFP and OCHA. Prior to joining the HD Centre, he was responsible for the management of the OCHA Regional Office for the Great Lakes Region in Nairobi and was Humanitarian Advisor to the Representative of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region.

With a legal background, Dennis has private law practice as well as several decades of humanitarian experience mainly with UNHCR and OCHA in Asia and Africa. Before joining the HD Centre in 2007, he headed the Human Rights Component of the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia from 1992 to 1993, following which he was appointed at various Director's positions in UNHCR and OCHA from 1994 to 2007. During this period, he served as UNHCR Special Envoy to the former Yugoslavia (1999-2000) and to Iraq (2003), as well as Deputy SRSG in Kosovo (1999-2000) and East Timor (2002-3) at UN Assistant Secretary-General level.

 

Theo holds degrees from McGill University and the London School for Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in political science and international law, economics, and international relations. Prior to joining the HD Centre in 2007, he has worked extensively in humanitarian aid, human rights, regional analysis, and mediation. His work experience has focussed on South/Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Horn of Africa. In addition to his work with the HD Centre, he currently also provides specialised support to the African Union/United Nations Darfur Peace Process.  

Prior to joining the HD Centre in March 2006, she worked for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (2005-6) and the UNDP (2003-5). Her work has focused on governance and human rights, post-conflict transitional politics and institutions, and constitution-making processes. Her field experience includes work for the National Democratic Institute in Russia (1996-7), the OSCE in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1997-8) and the UN in Iraq (Summer 2004). She holds a doctorate in political science from Columbia University, a Masters in Public Administration from Princeton University, and a Bachelor from Brown University. She has taught on peace- and state-building at Columbia University and the Geneva Graduate Institute for International Studies.

Served for many years in the British Foreign Office, including in Cyprus, Turkey, Israel, the Netherlands, Kenya, and New York from 1979-1982. He was Private Secretary to two Foreign Secretaries and later head of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office dealing with apartheid and Namibia. He also served as UN Under-Secretary-General (SG) for Political Affairs from March 1997 until July 2005 where he provided political advice to the Secretary-General on matters relating to peace and security and held responsibility for the UN's preventive diplomacy, peacemaking, and peace-building activities worldwide. He was also the convenor of the SG's Executive Committee on Peace and Security and engaged in peacemaking efforts in Afghanistan, Burundi, Cyprus, DRC, East Timor, Guatemala, Iraq, the Middle East, Somalia and Sudan. He is now a senior adviser to HD Centre on its mediation efforts.

She has a background in History and holds an MA in Conflict Studies. Prior to joining the HD Centre in October 2007, she has worked in Asia and has spent the last 8 years living and working in East Africa.  She began her career working with the Naga in North East India and ethnic minorities in Burma.  In Africa, she has worked with various UN agencies and NGOs in Kenya, Sudan and Somalia focusing on developing new approaches to post conflict reconstruction, DDR and small arms control, with a particular emphasis on gender, inclusion of women and addressing the needs of disabled soldiers.  Most recently, she managed the Upper Nile State office for the UN Resident Coordinator in Southern Sudan.

He studied economics and international relations at the University of St. Gallen (HSG), in Switzerland, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). In 2004, he joined the Political Affairs Division IV (PA IV) of the Swiss Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) as project officer in the peace policy section. He was also Head of the Desk, Human Security and Business, in the human rights promotion section. In January 2008, he joined the HD Centre in Singapore as project officer.

Her research experience has been focused on South-East Asian political history, with special emphasis on Malaysia. In particular, she has researched and studied the process of decolonisation and of the acquisition of independent status in Southeast Asia. This has involved scrutiny of the evolution of political rights, and the related management of potential or actual conflict. Since the award of her doctorate in 1997, she has extended her research into more recent political dynamics and changes in the region.

He joined the HD Centre following more than twenty years in the private sector working as a management consultant and project management expert. He has lived in South Africa, the United States, Singapore, Indonesia, Oman, the United Kingdom and Switzerland, working on complex project and business development initiatives. Prior to his ten years as a freelance consultant, based in Geneva, he worked for PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte & Touche and an engineering contractor. He has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, in the UK, and a Master of Science from the University of Texas, Austin.

Holds a Masters degree in Contemporary European Studies from the Sussex European Institute as well as a Masters degree in Human Rights and Democratisation from the European Inter-University Centre for Human Rights. Before joining the HD Centre in September 2007, she worked for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (2006) and for the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (2007). Prior to this, she also worked for the European Council on Refugees and Exiles (2005).

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Ouseph has a Masters degree in International Relations. After being briefly associated with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in New Delhi, India, he was selected for the Young South Volunteer programme of the South Centre, an intergovernmental organization of developing countries based in Geneva, Switzerland. He was then attached to the Global Governance unit of the South Centre as a Fellow and dealt with issues connected to the UN reform process. Prior to joining the HD Centre in December 2007, he worked as a Programme Associate with the International Trade Centre, a joint agency of UNCTAD and the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Formerly editor of the Far Eastern Economic Review, Vatikiotis has been a writer and journalist in Asia for 20 years. He has lived in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Hong Kong. Vatikiotis is a graduate of the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, earned his doctorate from Oxford University. He speaks the Thai and Indonesian languages fluently.

She has a degree in Public Relations and Tourism and has successfully completed a diploma from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). She has worked as a Product Assistant with various tour operators in Geneva, with a focus on Latin America and Asia. Prior to joining the HD Centre in May 2005, she was in charge of sales training for a retail company in London.

Judyta has a diploma from the Institut supérieur d'Interprétation et de Traduction (ISIT) in Paris. She has worked for the UNHCR Regional Office in Caracas, Venezuela as Senior Secretary to the Regional Representative. She held a similar position in the office of the Assistant High Commissioner at UNHCR headquarters in Geneva and worked in UNDP as Administrative Assistant in the Emergency Response Department. Judyta has been with the HD Centre since the early stages of its existence.

She has a certificate in Business Studies. Prior to joining the HD Centre in September 2006, she worked as a marketing assistant in a cosmetic firm handling events, product promotions, as well as a Real Estate Agent in a Singapore agency.

Studied Economic History and International Relations. Her research focused on Central Asia with particular reference to nation building and the oil issue. While completing her Masters at the Graduate Institute for International Relations in Geneva, she joined the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs where she worked on humanitarian aid and international development with special reference to Kosovo, Tajikistan and the Great Lakes region. Before joining the HD Centre, she worked for an international consultancy company where she specialized in change management processes; clients included banking and insurance companies as well as public administrations.