Guest blog written by David Sperling I was optimistic: I knew the course would be useful and would help me understand better, at least in theory, how one might best go about implementing a public policy decision. Little did I realize what a profound impact the course was going to have on my professional work….Continue Reading A Professional Watershed in Kenya’s Land of Climate Change
Public Policy Problems are both Inevitable and Approachable

Guest blog written by Doran Moreland I was extremely excited to begin the course, mainly because I was looking forward to the opportunity to approach my problem in new ways. I was also looking for new tools to help measure my progress and present my problem to others to gain outside buy-in. The course certainly…Continue Reading Public Policy Problems are both Inevitable and Approachable
COVID-19 is Poised to Exacerbate the Learning Crisis, Evidence from Long-term School Closures in Pakistan

written by Marla Spivack The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and of the policies adopted to mitigate its spread will be drastic everywhere and particularly grim in low- and middle-income countries.1 As economies shrink, up to a decade of progress in poverty reduction could be undone. As health systems struggle, millions could go without treatment for preventable infectious diseases…Continue Reading COVID-19 is Poised to Exacerbate the Learning Crisis, Evidence from Long-term School Closures in Pakistan
Congo Calling Rebooted
Guest blog written by Bandi Mbubi At the beginning of 2019, Harvard Kennedy School invited me to apply for its executive program in Implementing Public Policy. The letter was timely as it arrived when I was reflecting on my life and considering my next moves. The more I read about the course, the more I was…Continue Reading Congo Calling Rebooted
Finding Leadership Confidence
Guest blog written by Crystal Nowlan When I was first invited by my municipality’s Mayor and CAO to register for the ‘Implementing Public Policy’ (IPP) course, I was incredibly honoured for the learning opportunity. I also felt the responsibility to ensure the learning would have a return on investment for our organization and taxpayers. But…Continue Reading Finding Leadership Confidence
Early Childhood Education in Brazil

Guest blog written by Beatriz Abuchaim A big headache. It was what I felt in the introductory class at Kennedy School. It was not my first experience at Harvard. I had taken a course in 2018 at Center on the Developing Child, but it didn’t have the same pressure I was feeling as a Public Policy…Continue Reading Early Childhood Education in Brazil
Flexibility and Learning in Times of Global Uncertainty

Guest blog written by Nahuel Arenas-García Nahuel and his team from Costa Rica successfully completed the 15-week Practice of PDIA online course that ended in May 2017. Between January and May 2017, authorities and technical staff of the Costa Rican National Risk Prevention and Emergency Management Commission (CNE, for its acronym in Spanish) joined staff of…Continue Reading Flexibility and Learning in Times of Global Uncertainty
Highlighting Experience and Learning in Nigeria
Guest blog written by Fatima Kakuri Coming to Harvard to do this course, my goal was to gain advanced thought and greater insight into public policy concepts, theories, elements, types and stages of policy making, I was caught up in a subliminal whirlwind of nervousness and feeling out of place before starting the course, as…Continue Reading Highlighting Experience and Learning in Nigeria
IT Project for a Pay Transparency Initiative in Canada
Guest blog written by Judith Buchanan My Implementing Public Policy (IPP) journey began with enthusiasm (and was mostly sustained throughout). Having previously attended a Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education course – Strategic Management of Regulatory and Enforcement Agencies – I was keen to attend the course. I knew that, not only would the course be…Continue Reading IT Project for a Pay Transparency Initiative in Canada
Creating a Workplace Culture of Continuous Learners and Self-Starters in the U.S.
Guest blog written by Theresa Burnett I came to the program thinking I had a good idea about how to make things happen in the workplace. I had some idea of policy implementation and the challenges of government organizations. All that said, I learned that I did NOT have an organized, step-by-step approach to address…Continue Reading Creating a Workplace Culture of Continuous Learners and Self-Starters in the U.S.