CDDRL Launches Program Aimed at Strengthening Ukrainian Democracy and Development

The Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law (CDDRL) has a special relationship with Ukraine. For more than a decade, we have hosted a series of leadership programs that count many Ukrainians among their alumni. We made these investments in citizens of Ukraine out of a belief that the country constitutes the front line in the global struggle for democracy.

Today, we are pleased to announce the application launch for CDDRL’s Strengthening Ukrainian Democracy and Development Program (SU-DD), formerly the Ukrainian Emerging Leaders Program — a 10-week training program for Ukrainian practitioners and policymakers. SU-DD provides a unique opportunity for up to 10 mid-career practitioners working on well-defined projects aimed at strengthening Ukrainian democracy, enhancing human development, and promoting good governance.

"Right now there is an urgent need to assist in rebuilding and strengthening Ukrainian political and economic institutions," explained Kathryn Stoner, Mosbacher Director of CDDRL. "CDDRL has a long history across our many programs in promoting Ukrainian democracy and development. We are excited to launch this new initiative and continue to do what we can to help Ukraine at this pivotal moment."

There is an urgent need to assist in rebuilding and strengthening Ukrainian political and economic institutions. We are excited to launch this new initiative and continue to do what we can to help Ukraine at this pivotal moment.

Kathryn Stoner

Mosbacher Director, CDDRL

SU-DD builds on some of the successes of our Ukrainian Emerging Leaders Program (UELP), which was housed at CDDRL beginning in 2017. Since then, CDDRL has hosted 12 Ukrainian fellows across 4 cohorts. SU-DD aspires to multiply this success and increase our impact in Ukraine in a number of ways:

First, we seek to make the experience of Ukrainian fellows at Stanford more structured and impactful by requiring them to devise focused projects as part of the application, and then by working with our faculty before they arrive at Stanford to further refine these projects so that they can provide actionable solutions to current challenges for Ukrainian democracy and human development.
Second, by shortening the length of the program we can bring more Ukrainian policy influencers to campus and be more impactful with developmental solutions as a result. Fellows will participate in online coursework before joining us on campus at Stanford.
Finally, by including the Ukrainian fellows in CDDRL's Draper Hills Summer Fellows Program (DHSF), we seek to create connections, synergies, and a deeper understanding of shared development problems and solutions from a variety of country contexts. This program will also expand the network for our Ukrainian fellows to draw upon as they continue their work to strengthen democracy and development when they leave Stanford.

The unique design of this program provides the opportunity for future fellows from Ukraine to develop their projects, take part in thought-provoking and eye-opening lectures and discussions, and create a network with outstanding people from all around the world.

Nariman Ustaiev

2021-22 Ukrainian Emerging Leader, 2022 Draper Hills Fellow

"This past summer, I had a terrific chance to participate in the Draper Hills Summer Fellows Program," shared Nariman Ustaiev, one of CDDRL's 2021-22 Ukrainian Emerging Leaders. "Being a fellow in this incredibly structured program, you learn from world-class researchers and leading practitioners, making your studying both theoretical and practical. The unique design of the Strengthening Ukrainian Democracy and Development Program and its interconnection with the Draper Hills Summer Fellows Program provides an opportunity for future fellows from Ukraine to develop their projects, take part in thought-provoking and eye-opening lectures and discussions, and create a network with outstanding people from all around the world."

UELP fellows present during Draper Hills 2022

Applicants to the SU-DD program will use the Draper Hills Summer Fellows Program application portal to apply. Applications are open now and close at 5:00 pm PT on January 15, 2023.

APPLY NOW

If you are a Ukrainian interested in being considered for the SU-DD program, please indicate your interest on the online Draper Hills Summer Fellows application. You will then be directed to a supplemental application for the SU-DD program. The supplemental application will ask additional questions specific to the SU-DD program, including requiring a detailed description of your proposed project.

If you have questions about the program or the application, please email UkrainianDemocracy@stanford.edu.