One of the most prestigious universities in the USA - the University of California, Berkeley is planning to start joint educational projects with Ukrainian educational institutions. This was stated by Janet Ann Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security (2009-2013), Governor of Arizona (2002-2009)at the All-Ukrainian Forum "Women's Leadership in Wartime."

"We are doing compelling things with my Center (UC Berkeley's Goldman School of Public Policy) in Berkeley, which, I am happy to say, is looking forward to a deep collaboration with the Kyiv School of Public Administration. We will have joint research programs, leadership training opportunities, and joint student exchanges that will help enrich both Berkeley and Ukraine and truly expand the global quest for shared democracy through higher education,” she says.

The All-Ukrainian Forum "Women's Leadership during the War" was held on July 4, 2023, at the PARKOVY CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTER. The event gathered more than 600 participants and representatives of all sectors: government bodies, public organizations, military, politics, business and media. The organizer of the Forum was the Kyiv School of Public Administration named after Serhiy Nizhnyy.

Janet Ann Napolitano also expressed full support for Ukraine's struggle for its own freedom. "Ukraine has become an inspiration for the whole world, especially for countries like the USA, which value freedom and democracy. Your resilience as a nation, your commitment to democracy, your sovereignty and right to exist as a people is simply incredible. And believe me, the American People have noticed. During my travels, I see Ukrainian flags everywhere in the United States," she said. Janet Ann Napolitano spoke as a special guest via video conference of the Forum and plans to visit Ukraine in person in September 2023.

The forum became a platform for discussing the challenges that arose before the women of Ukraine with the beginning of a full-scale war, as well as possible solutions. The event united women leaders to find ways of mutual assistance, development of stability and sustainable recovery of Ukraine.

The organizers are sure that with the beginning of the full-scale invasion, women's leadership in Ukraine became one of the powerful tools of survival from the rear to the front. "More than 5,000 Ukrainian women are currently serving on the front lines," said Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Ganna Maliar.

"As a result of the Forum, we aim to form an initiative group and launch projects related to reforms and changes in state policies affecting women in Ukraine," says Anna Mishchenko, Director of the Kyiv School of Public Administration named after Serhiy Nizhny. According to her, the Kyiv School of Public Administration together with the Center for Security in Politics at the University of Berkeley (USA) are planning joint research, educational exchange and public events with a focus on women's leadership. All this will allow us to transfer the working American experience to Ukraine.