Aspen Institute Kyiv Holds the 12th “Business and Society” Seminar

From 18 to 24 April 2026, the 12th “Business and Society” seminar took place in Ukraine’s Lviv region. Over six days, participants engaged in reading, dialogue, and shared reflection on how entrepreneurship, power, responsibility, and humanity intersect in today’s world.

The seminar brought together participants from across the business, public, education, cultural, media, and civil society sectors. Within this diverse group, different experiences were not reduced to a common denominator but became the foundation for a deeper understanding of ourselves, one another, and the context in which we act.

Together, participants explored texts and questions that offer no simple answers but help us better understand reality and our own role within it. Discussions ranged from the origins of economic thought and the nature of power to contemporary challenges, the social contract, and the pursuit of the good life.

Participants read and discussed works spanning different eras—from Seneca and Jean-Jacques Rousseau to Douglass North, Richard Thaler, and Shoshana Zuboff.

Particular attention was given to conversations about the relationship between freedom and equality, the broader social dimensions of entrepreneurship, and leadership—not as a position, but as a responsibility expressed through everyday decisions.

As is traditional for Aspen seminars, collaborative work on a creative project formed an important part of the programme, giving participants the opportunity not only to reflect on ideas but also to experience them through shared creativity and collaboration. The seminar concluded with presentations of the projects and a deep group reflection.