03/05/2026
Nathalie Timtchenko, founder of First Aid of the Soul, spoke as a panelist at the inaugural Ukraine Symposium at the Harvard Kennedy School, marking four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The room was filled with more than 140 students, fellows, faculty, and community members committed to thoughtful dialogue about Ukraine’s future.
Nathalie addressed the human dimension of this ongoing war—the profound psychological toll of prolonged conflict and what resilience truly means in practice. Today, nearly 80 percent of Ukrainians are experiencing symptoms of trauma, depression, or chronic stress. While the resilience of Ukrainian communities is extraordinary and deeply visible, resilience must never become a justification for complacency. It cannot replace the sustained international commitment and decisive support required to ensure Ukraine’s security, sovereignty, and ultimate victory.
It was a deep honor to share the stage with such remarkable voices, including Former Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Ambassador Samantha Power, Serhii Plokhii, Matviichuk, Matteo Patrone, Ilya Timtchenko, Anastasiya Donets, Jason Blevins, Susan Farbstein, and many others. Each speaker underscored that Ukraine’s fight is not only about territory—it is about dignity and the future of democracy.
Special thanks as well to the extraordinary organizing team: Maria Kulchyckyj, Lucas Kuziv, CFA, Mariya-Khrystyna Koziy, Halyna Padalko, PhD, Nana Gongadze, and everyone in the Ukraine Caucus who made this critical event possible. Gratitude also to the sponsors who supported the symposium, including Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center, Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights, Ukrainian Research Institute, Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School, Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School, and International Human Rights Clinic at Harvard Law School, Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government at the Harvard Kennedy School, among others at Harvard University.
Слава Україні 🇺🇦
Photo credit: Harvard's Belfer Center and Darij K