Development of regional communities and diversity of views: Ideas Days — 2023
The Aspen Institute Kyiv and Impact Hub Odesa have been organizing the Ideas Festival in Ukraine since 2018. In relatively peaceful times, it was a major public event, bringing together thinkers and practitioners from all over Ukraine and abroad. Together, they thought and sought solutions to current challenges. We dedicated the last festival before the full-scale invasion to Ukraine’s achievements over 30 years of independence. We felt very optimistic: we have done a lot, and there was an even bigger leap ahead.
In 2022, the Ideas Festival did not take place, and last year the Institute’s team and partners from Impact Hub Odesa faced the issue of security again. Denis Poltavets, Director of Program Development at The Aspen Institute Kyiv, recalls that there was no option to cancel the Festival again. Coordination and consolidation of leaders were more important than ever. It was time to look for non-standard solutions. This is how the concept of Ideas Days emerged — three events in shelters in three cities of Ukraine with broadcasting on YouTube and distribution in the media.
Strengthening interaction between leaders of different industries and developing regional communities
Denis Poltavets says that the main goal of the Ideas Days is to strengthen interaction and cooperation between representatives of business, public administration, local authorities, culture, education, science, media and other industries.
– “In challenging times, it is important for us to support synergy and joint action at the national and local levels. In addition, we sought to activate local communities of the Institute’s alumni in Rivne, Dnipro and Odesa. In fact, they became the co-creators of the Ideas Days — we worked together on the organizing committee, identified speakers and the program.
The involvement of alumni in Ideas Days organizing helped bring the event to a new level. First, they added their own experience and intellectual resources to the project and supported Ideas Days financially. Secondly, such joint work on a large project has become a good incentive for the development of the Institute’s community.
A great country is a great power
Denis Poltavets is convinced that for the sustainability and balanced development of Ukrainian society, we all need to focus our attention not only on Kyiv but also on the regions. This is proved and taught by the experience of holding the Ideas Days – 2023.
– The regions showed a very high level of mobilization at the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Over the past 2 years, cities and communities continue to play an increasingly significant role in strengthening our combat capability. In addition, they will receive a large part of the responsibility during the recovery. Our aspiration is to unite regional communities and help them see the big picture to make productive and effective decisions.
The Director of Program Development of the Institute emphasizes that the involvement of regional representatives in solving national problems is also extremely important. It can help to see the nuances that are important for a particular region or community.
A palette of opinions to analyze each topic from different angles
At each of the Ideas Days, experts discussed national and local issues. Speakers at the two discussions in the Rivne region focused on national identity and volunteering. Dnipro Idea Day was dedicated to strategic security and urban development. The two panel discussions in Odesa were built around business issues and the formation of a new image of an Odesa entrepreneur.
– We want participants of the Institute’s events to have the opportunity to look at a particular issue from a different angle. Therefore, we approach the selection of speakers from the perspective of constructive diversity. For example, if we are talking about business, it is important to hear the perspective of the state, analysts, the creative sector, and small and medium-sized entrepreneurs.
An important part of the mission of the Ideas Days is to encourage listeners to join forces and take action for the benefit of Ukrainian society. In particular, in 2023, it was important for the teams of The Aspen Institute Kyiv and Impact Hub Odesa to convey inspirational ideas to a wide audience. Therefore, the Days of Ideas had four media partners – TSN, LB.ua, Suspilne, and Espresso. Together with TSN, we also organized a live broadcast of two discussions on sustainability from the slopes of the Dnipro River in Vytachiv.
