Investing in People and the Role of Culture in Long-Term Change: Ideas Day in Odesa

The Aspen Institute Kyiv, in partnership with Yegor Grebennikov, hosted the Ideas Day in Odesa. The event was symbolic, as prior to the full-scale war, the city was home to a major festival of the same name. In addition to Odesa this year, Ideas Days were held in Lutsk and Dnipro.

The Ideas Day in Odesa served as a platform for local leaders to come together, exchange ideas, and draw inspiration. Afterwards, they returned to developing their city and country with renewed energy. Around 90 representatives from various sectors took part in the event.

Investing in People = Investing in the Future

The first panel discussion’s speakers focused on the importance of investing in people. They explored how to create a space for a dignified life for everyone — even in wartime. The topic was approached from various angles: economic, military, and psychological.

Speakers included:

• Vladyslav Rashkovan, Alternate Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund
• Valeriia Palii, Academic Director of the Psychology Program at Kyiv School of Economics, Vice President of the National Psychological Association
• Yuliya Badritdinova, CEO of McDonald’s in Ukraine, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia
• Maksym Kiriakidi, Head of the Naval Institute, Captain 1st Rank, PhD

Yuliya Tychkivska, Executive Director of the Aspen Institute Kyiv, moderated the panel discussion.

Cultural Meanings of the Future

Ideas Day also included a discussion on culture as a key component of long-term change, particularly the new meanings born in Ukraine during the war.

Speakers included:

• Serhii Koshman, Expert in Defence Innovation and Technology
• Vladislav Troitsky, Founder of the “Antidot” project, DAKH Theatre, GogolFest, and the band DakhaBrakha
• Kateryna Kalytko, Ukrainian poet, translator, author of poetry and prose
• Mykolai Sierga, Officer in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Head of the Cultural Forces of Ukraine

Moderator: Alim Aliev, Deputy Director General of the Ukrainian Institute.

A special part of the program was the discursive forum — an open conversation among leaders from various sectors, where everyone could voice their thoughts on cultural resilience, human potential, and the meanings of the future.

Media partners for the event are Starlight Media, Rubryka, and Espreso.

Creative partner — Havas Village Ukraine.

The organizers are especially grateful to the Marazli Club, its Chair of the Board, Yevgen Lemberg, and Kateryna Kulay, Director of the Odesa National Art Museum, for their warm welcome and for organising the cultural program.