ESCU Secretary Ilona Khmelova has successfully completed the "Leadership for Sustainable Reconstruction of Ukraine" course at Harvard University. During the semester-long program, she and her colleagues developed and presented a project on public-private partnerships. The project's goal is to attract investments and foster collaboration between public and private sectors for the effective reconstruction of the country.
"This course was a unique opportunity for me to deepen my knowledge and find new partners to work on Ukraine's recovery. Together with Harvard professors, we explored the best international practices and adapted them to Ukrainian realities," Ilona shared.
The "Leadership for Sustainable Reconstruction of Ukraine" program was developed by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in collaboration with the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure and the U.S. Green Building Council. The course aims to prepare Ukrainian professionals for leadership roles in the country's reconstruction, emphasizing sustainable development, health, and energy independence.
The 12-week course included weekly two-hour online sessions consisting of expert lectures, case studies, simulations, and group discussions. Participants were divided into "interest groups" where they worked on developing solutions for real challenges in Ukraine's reconstruction.
The program is designed to combine the existing expertise of Ukrainian professionals in construction, infrastructure, project financing, and urban planning to prepare them for leadership roles in the country's recovery, adhering to sustainable development principles.