Šimon Pánek

Co-Founder and Director, People in Need

Czechia

Šimon Pánek is Director and Co-Founder of People in Need, one of the biggest NGOs in Central Europe. He is a member of the Forum 2000 Foundation International Advisory Board. Mr. Pánek has previously worked in various positions related to development aid, chaired the Czech Forum for Development Cooperation and served as foreign policy specialist on the Balkan region and human rights issues in the presidential administration of Václav Havel. Mr. Pánek was one of the student leaders during the Velvet Revolution. President Havel singled him out as the possible future president of the Czech Republic. Mr. Pánek is a member of the International Coalition for Democratic Renewal.