The Aspen Institute’s Kyiv Reunion Abroad — Developing International Cooperation, Strengthening the Ukrainian Voice Abroad, and Deepening Resilient Ties Between Leadership Communities of Different Countries

For the second time, the Aspen Institute Kyiv held a Reunion abroad. The goal is to develop international cooperation, strengthen the Ukrainian voice abroad, and deepen resilient ties between leadership communities of different countries. 

This year, the meeting took place in Warsaw. The event brought together participants of Aspen seminars who live or travel abroad or are on business trips there.

Natalie Jaresko, Chairperson of the Aspen Institute Kyiv, welcomed the participants and emphasized the unity of the Aspen Institute Kyiv alums, regardless of their countries of residence. Each participates in building new international relations and restoring and developing a prosperous, modern, democratic, inclusive, and innovative Ukraine.

Resilience is an important part of the Institute’s activities. During the Aspen seminar “Dimensions of Resilience Through the Ages: Personal and Collective,” based on texts, participants discussed how to strengthen themselves and their internal and external pillars as well as what helps them endure and thrive in times of turbulent change.

Another part of the program was the discursive forum “Global Ukrainians: Unity in Action.” This format has already shown effectiveness, allowing all participants to engage in discussions actively, generate new meanings, and share their experiences and observations. In particular, leaders talked a lot about the future of Ukraine: what everyone can do to bring victory closer, promoting the Ukrainian agenda abroad, methods of dealing with Russian propaganda, creating new communication strategies, and rethinking educational processes. 

Such dialogues work as a foundation for new ideas and projects to create a better version of Ukraine and strengthen international partnerships.

We thank Andrey Stavnitser, Aspen Institute Kyiv Supervisory Board member, Kateryna Kruk and “Meta” company, members of the Ukrainian Aspen community in Poland: Anna Zoria, Nadiya Bedrychuk, Iryna Musiichuk, as well as a colleague from Aspen Institute Central Europe Hubert Czyżewski, who represents the Institute in Poland. Special thanks for moderating the meeting to Sergiy Rogol, Yuliya Tychkivska, and Vladyslav Rashkovan for preparing the presentation and content for the Forum and helping to conduct it.