Leadership Delegations
Members of the Women's Leadership Board are encouraged to participate in international Leadership Delegations which generally occur once a year. The purpose of these delegations is to provide members with first-hand knowledge of challenges and opportunities facing women in various parts of the world, to create meaningful partnerships between the Women's Leadership Board and women leaders in specific regions, and to extend the impact of the Harvard Kennedy School's work to traditionally marginalized constituencies. In the past, delegations have visited South Africa, Liberia, China, and Egypt. The activities are designed around the Board's five L's and may include:
LEARN
- Provision of current and comprehensive information about the host country and its politics, history, policy priorities and gender related issues. Relevant sessions may include collaborative conferences, high-level U.S. Embassy and U.N. briefings, university lectures and/or visits to historical landmarks.
LEAD
- Provision of leadership training seminars and lectures on entrepreneurship developed and presented by faculty members and members of the WLB for emerging women leaders in host country.
LINK
- Introduction of the WLB to distinguished public women leaders of the host country e.g. president, cabinet members, members of parliament, university leaders and NGO representatives.
- Establishment of relationships with local American Chamber of Commerce, United Nations, UNDP, American Embassy, local universities and Harvard Kennedy School alumni.
- Establishment of partnerships between visiting WLB members and host country's emerging women leaders to take the form of mentoring/shadowing opportunities.
LEVERAGE
- Utilization of Harvard University platform to convene local leaders and in-country university representatives on issues related to the advancement of women.
- Invitation to women leaders in the host country to speak at Harvard University and to meet with faculty and students.
- Provision of information to women in the host country of the academic and career development opportunities at Harvard University, including master's degree programs, Ph.D. programs, executive education programs and fellowships.
LEGACY
- Identification and potential sponsorship of emerging leaders in government who can come to the Harvard Kennedy School for executive programs and the WLB's Build the Bench Program.
- Identification and potential sponsorship of future leaders in local universities to attend the WLB Summer Fellows Program.
- Development of internships for Harvard Kennedy School students to undertake summer projects with host country leaders.
- Development of case studies on current projects and initiatives that are taking place in the host country, to strengthen information on women leaders around the world and to enhance the curriculum at the Harvard Kennedy School.
Current Delegations
Past Delegation Reports