In early January, over 100 participants completed the “Case Method for Public Policy Workshop” taught by the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford and “Negotiating Across Differences: Concepts, Strategies, and Tools” carried out by the Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard University. Amongst the participants, a total of 56 organizations were represented, such as universities, non-profit organizations, as well as institutions in both the public and private sectors. All participants will now be part of the Luksic Scholars Community, a network that unites over 1,900 professionals, academics, and researchers.

​​Enhancing public service education and training, acquiring new skills, and creating professional networks were the main goals of two academic programs held in January in Chile, through a collaboration between Luksic Scholars, an initiative of the Luksic Foundation, the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford, and the Harvard Kennedy School at Harvard University.

A total of 103 individuals, including academics, professionals, leaders, and researchers, took part in the courses held over two days in Santiago. Participants represented 56 organizations from different regions of the country, primarily universities, non-profit organizations, and various public and private sector institutions.

The “Case Method for Public Policy Workshop” taught by the Blavatnik School of Government was for undergraduate and postgraduate university teachers seeking to strengthen their practical skills in case method teaching to enrich public policy education.

The “Negotiating Across Differences: Concepts, Strategies, and Tools” carried out by the Harvard Kennedy School explored negotiation methods to equip organizational leaders with the strategic, analytical, and communication skills necessary for effective communication and communication strategy.

“At Luksic Scholars, our approach is to bring international expertise to Chilean academics and professionals without the need for them to travel abroad. This allows us to reach larger groups of people, break down language barriers, and achieve a greater representation of the local ecosystem,” commented Isabella Luksic, CEO of the Luksic Foundation.

The academic programs were part of “Global Paths: Seeking Points of Encounter,” a conference organized by Luksic Scholars of which 400 people attended to discuss consensus-building in today’s polarized world and the role of academia in finding collaborative solutions.

Reflections:

Alejandra Sepúlveda, CEO of Comunidad Mujer and participant in the “Negotiating Across Differences” program, said that “the program was not only good for the way in which it taught its methodology and teachings but also because it comes at a time when our country faces many challenges on how we can reach agreements. 

Alejandra Sepúlveda, CEO of Comunidad Mujer and participant in Harvard’s “Negotiating Across Differences” program, appreciated the program not just for its methods and teachings but also for its relevance in Chile’s current context of seeking consensus. She noted that “the model we saw is based on the idea that not thinking alike does not prevent one from bridging positions and working together. The winner is not the one who takes the whole ball; it is the opposite. When one ensures that all parties feel represented and heard, exponential value is generated.”

Emilio Moya, director of the Public Policy Center at the Catholic University of Temuco, participated in the “Case Method for Public Policy Workshop” program. He highlighted its significant value, particularly for those working in regional contexts. “Bringing methodological tools and pedagogical innovations to regional universities is crucial,” he said, referring to the unique challenges in regions like La Araucanía. Moya believes this program will enhance students’ understanding of how to develop studies for the effective implementation of public policies and social programs.

Much like others who have previously completed any of the academic programs supported by Luksic Scholars, the 103 participants will now be part of the Luksic Scholars Community, a network of over 1,900 individuals that aims to support them in their professional journeys by offering various growth and development opportunities.