Since 2011 Simon has worked as the Executive Director of the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, the world’s leading research and advocacy organization for advancing mass atrocity prevention and the international norm of the Responsibility to Protect at the UN and beyond. He is a former anti-apartheid activist and the author of four books and numerous articles on international conflict, including pieces in the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, The Australian and the New York Times. Simon was instrumental in helping Skateistan establish the Skate School in Johannesburg, South Africa. A skateboarder since the 70s, Simon also has a mini-ramp in his basement.