FREETOWN – 23RD JULY, 2018 – Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr is going back to school this year to study leadership and management practices, as one of 40 mayors chosen for an intensive education program with the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative.
As a participant in the Initiative’s 2018 program, Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr is part of a class of dedicated mayors attending a program delivered by faculty from Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School as well as world-class experts from Bloomberg Philanthropies’ global network.
The year long program launches with a three-day convening in New York City beginning Sunday, July 22, 2018, which Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr is attending at no cost to her city. Each day of the convening, mayors will attend classroom sessions focused on the latest management and leadership practices, using case studies and workshops developed at Harvard.
Being chosen for the program, which is only in its second year, is an honor, said Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr.
“I’m looking forward to the year ahead as a great opportunity for city leaders to meet, exchange ideas, and discuss how best to approach solving pressing problems for our citizens,” Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr said. “When it comes to tackling priority issues for Freetown such as waste management, environmental management and job creation, my team is invested in using data, working across sectors, and fostering a strong sense of community owndership in order to deliver results.”
The mayor said she believes this program will “enhance my capabilities in these areas, not to mention connect me with other mayors with innovative approaches to similar issues in their own cities.”
Michael R. Bloomberg, founder Bloomberg Philanthropies and three-term mayor of New York City, collaborated with outgoing Harvard University President Drew Faust to create the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative in 2016.
Collectively, Harvard University and Bloomberg Philanthropies aim to help mayors and their leadership teams manage the complexities of running a city, and to have opportunities to learn from one another. The Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative will connect Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr to some of the university’s top educators, coaching from experts, a network of peers, and technical assistance. The program provides an opportunity to share best practices and learn from fellow mayors about the promising ideas that are already helping to enhance the quality of life in cities around the world.
After the mayors convening, two senior-level city officials nominated by each mayor will attend a similar convening in August. From Freetown, Deputy Mayor Osman Koroma and Chief Adminsitrator Festus Kallay will participate in the yearlong program, as well, and help Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr translate what they learn into organizational changes that improve life in Freetown.
Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr’s participation in the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative, and that of her two senior leaders – including tuition
n, accommodation, meals, and airfare – is fully funded by the program.
The Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative is a collaboration among Bloomberg Philanthropies, Harvard Business School, and Harvard Kennedy School. Its mission is to inspire and strengthen city leaders as well as equip them with the tools to lead high-performing, innovative cities.
Media Contacts:
Freetown: Koma Hassan-Kamara, info@fcc.gov.sl, +232 76 15 14 75
Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative:
Warren Dent, Warren_Dent@harvard.edu, +1-617-496-4219
Anna Burgess, Anna_Burgess@harvard.edu +1-617-496-4293