Global Democracy and Citizenship Wintersession 2026
The 2026 Wintersession on Global Democracy and Citizenship brought fifteen students together to engage with critical questions concerning the pressures facing liberal democracies and evolving developments in transatlantic relations.
Led by faculty from multiple disciplines and supported by Harvard’s Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies (CES), The Center for Hellenic Studies (CHS), The Committee on Degrees in Social Studies, the Department of Government, the Harvard College Dean of Students Office, and the Harvard Foundation, the workshop connected academic inquiry with real-world policymaking.
Through visits to embassies, congressional offices, and research centers, the Wintersession extended an opportunity to directly interact with policymakers and academics navigating current challenges to democracy. Hearing from a blend of domestic and international perspectives, students were encouraged to examine how governments protect democratic principles amid economic and political tensions.
A Learning Opportunity For Everyone
Students and faculty sponsors visited the World Bank to learn about opportunities and challenges within international development.
Academic Discussions
Students engaged with cutting-edge researchers at think tanks, international organizations, and university research institutes. At the American Enterprise Institute, they explored how strong democratic institutions and transatlantic cooperation underpin Arctic security. From the World Bank, they learned how development finance can reduce inequality and strengthen the economic foundations necessary for stable democracies. At the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace, and Security, students examined quantitative tools to assess the link between women’s status and the health of democracy, noting that progress on women's well-being is currently stalling globally.
Together, these institutions and topics—unified by their focus on democratic governance and its supporting institutions—granted students firsthand insight into how research informs the policies that uphold accountable, representative government.
“Before this trip, I’d never realized how these diversely-situated institutions each play a vital role in shaping robust and effective policy both domestically and around the globe,” Adaolisa Agbakwu '28 said.
“This trip transformed my views on what ‘policy work’ means.”
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Senior Kaitlyn Tran '26 listened to the Wintersession orientation on the first day of the program.
The student cohort talked about with each other before a presentation at the World Bank headquarters.
Students listened to a presentation at the American Enterprise Institute about the think tank landscape in D.C. and potential internship and career opportunities.
Students met on Day 1 of Wintersession for orientation at the Center for Hellenic Studies.
External Affairs Lead Cara Santos Pianesi at the World Bank headquarters led an informational presentation for the students.
Students visited Georgetown’s Institute for Women, Peace, and Security to hear a presentation from Haleema Hasan on one of their flagship projects, the Women, Peace, and Security Index.
Congressional Representative Meetings
Engaging with the domestic democratic process, students visited the offices of Senator Elizabeth Warren, Representative Katherine Clark (MA-05), and Representative Jim McGovern (MA-02). In small group conversations, students inquired how representatives consistently engage with their constituents’ demands and how they identify areas for compromise during moments of policy friction.
“Getting to hear from Representative McGovern and Minority Whip Clark was extremely eye opening,” Hadley Harvey '29 said. “I learned about the inner workings of cross-party collaboration and the realities of trying to meet constituent needs that I otherwise would never have realized.”
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Representative Jim McGovern (MA-02) spoke with the Wintersession delegation about his experience as a Congressman and current political priorities.
Students met with Representative Jim McGovern (MA-02) to discuss his priorities for Massachusetts’ 2nd District and the vision of the Democratic Party.
Sophomore Mercy Ghobrial spoke with Representative Jim McGovern (MA-02) following a delegation meeting.
Students met with Representative Katherine Clark (MA-05), House Minority Whip, to discuss her career path and priorities for Massachusetts.
During a visit to the Embassy of Ukraine in the U.S., students discussed U.S. and Ukraine relations with Ambassador Stefanishyna and led staff across political, economic, and cultural issues.
A Q&A session with Ambassador Olga Stefanishyna caused students to engage in meaningful dialogue.
Embassy Visits
Interacting directly with European diplomats, students visited the embassies of Greece, Italy, and Ukraine, in addition to the Delegation of the European Union to the United States.
At the Ukrainian Embassy, discussions focused on how the country is upholding democracy during war—protecting its culture, maintaining functioning institutions, managing public narratives, and sustaining public services. Students also learned about green energy innovations in Greece and Italy’s central role in facilitating U.S.– E.U. relations.
“It was so interesting to see how already well-established institutions can make changes to their policies and transform the E.U. into a defense body able to protect the democratic values we all fight for,” Oleksandra Khalo '28 said.
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Students gathered in the Capitol Rotunda for a tour hosted by the U.S. Capitol Visitor’s Center.
Junior Matthew Kromm '27, sophomore Mark McDonald '28, and sophomore Mohib Ahmed '28 posed with the world at their fingertips inside the World Bank headquarters.
Inside the Capitol Rotunda, students listened to a tour highlighting the history of the architecture.
First year student Connor Buchanan '29 gazed up at the rooftop of the World Bank headquarters in D.C.
During the first day of programming, students visited the Senate office for a meeting with a Legislative Correspondent from the Office of Senator Elizabeth Warren.
Students were briefed by Peter DeYoe, Director of Federal Relations at Harvard University, before meeting with Congressional representatives.
Photos provided by the Harvard College Dean of Students' Office.
