Final Aspen Kyiv–UK Leadership Bridge Seminar Held in Zakarpattia
What enables societies to maintain cohesion and the capacity to act together, particularly in times of war? What role do power, technology, and values play in today’s world? And what kind of future can we build through collective efforts?
These and other questions formed the basis of the final seminar of the Aspen Kyiv–UK Leadership Bridge Programme, held on October 17–20 in Zakarpattia, Ukraine. The seminar brought together participants from Ukraine and the United Kingdom to reflect on the challenges facing the world today and the role of leadership in addressing them.
The dialogue explored questions of moral responsibility, individuals’ ability to shape their own lives and influence society, and the role of circumstances and uncertainty in decision-making.
Participants discussed the nature of social trust, the development of effective institutions, the role of power and violence in shaping social order, and the factors that foster cooperation or lead to divisions within societies. These questions are particularly relevant in the context of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine and the need to strengthen the resilience of democratic states.
Considerable attention was devoted to the impact of technology on the future of democracy and individual freedom. Discussions addressed the development of artificial intelligence, the growing influence of technology corporations, shifting power dynamics between states and private companies, and the risks of digital surveillance and the manipulation of human behaviour.
Another key theme was responsibility for the future — finding a balance between technological progress, economic development, the common good, and the preservation of natural resources.
An important component of the seminar was the development of joint Ukrainian-British projects. Participants presented three initiatives addressing different dimensions of bilateral partnership — from security and defence resilience to youth leadership and strengthening people-to-people ties. The programme also offered participants an opportunity to explore the history and culture of Zakarpattia.
We greatly value our partnership with Aspen Institute UK and are sincerely grateful for the trust, commitment, and shared vision that have made this programme possible. Special thanks to Yuliya Tychkivska, Executive Director, Aspen Institute Kyiv, Olly Chapman, Director, Aspen Institute UK, and Penny Richards, Senior Advisor and Trustee of the Aspen Institute UK, for their dedication to strengthening cooperation between Ukrainian and British leaders.
The seminar was moderated by Andriy Kulakov, Programme Coordinator for the Aspen Institute Kyiv Community, and Ruth Girardet, Lead Moderator at Aspen Institute UK. The programme was coordinated by Olena Fomina, Policy Program Director, Aspen Institute Kyiv, Daryna Krupiievska, Project Coordinator, Aspen Institute Kyiv, and Isi Williams, Programme and Communications Manager, Aspen Institute UK.
The Aspen Kyiv–UK Leadership Bridge programme is implemented in partnership between Aspen Institute Kyiv and Aspen Institute UK, with the support of the Aspen Global Fund.
