Representatives of the Research Service of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine – Anna Kondratova, Head of the Department of Economic Development and Financial Policy, and Tetiana Druzhchenko, Head of the Foresight Sector – took part in the 2026 Public Leadership Certificate Program, whose in-person component was held in Washington, D.C. The program is implemented by Elected Officials to Protect America (EOPA) in partnership with the University of San Francisco.

The program combined thematic discussions, training modules on public leadership and communication, practical exercises, teamwork on public policy projects, and professional exchange with representatives of government institutions, expert and academic communities, and civil society. The training covered emotional intelligence, values-based communication, storytelling, public speaking, debate skills, and working in international teams.

As part of the visit, participants also took part in a thematic session at the Atlantic Council focused on Ukraine’s energy security and the resilience of its energy system amid wartime threats. The program also included a visit to the U.S. Congress, where participants learned about the organization of the U.S. legislative branch, its institutional structure, and practical aspects of legislative work.