Preparing people for leadership has been a core mission of Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government since it was founded more than six decades ago. The search for wise and enlightened leadership is no less urgent today. The Center for Public Leadership seeks to produce better societies by improving the practice of leadership and citizenship. We aim to strengthen the capacity of individuals, governments, communities, and public organizations to improve the quality of public life.
Leadership is central to the course of human history.
But until now there have been few resources devoted to training people for public leadership or to advancing theory related to leadership in public life. The Center for Public Leadership is uniquely placed to play a significant role in this fast-growing field. Faculty members have served their countries at the highest levels, and contributed substantially to the intellectual advancement of their fields of inquiry. Executive programs and special events draw politicians and public leaders from around the world. The Mid-Career degree program enables students from more than fifty countries to take time away from their professional lives to acquire new information, learn new skills, and exchange ideas and experiences with their peers.