Engage with Mayors from Around the World at Harvard
About the Event
On Tuesday, April 14, mayors participating in the 9th class of the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative will convene at Harvard University for a series of public events with students and faculty across campus.
Bringing together leaders from 46 cities across 16 countries, the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative is a program at the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University. Established by Bloomberg Philanthropies, Harvard Kennedy School, and Harvard Business School, the Initiative provides mayors and senior city officials with research-based insights and tools to solve urban problems and improve outcomes for residents.
As part of their time at Harvard, mayors will share how they are putting these tools into action—advancing solutions in their communities and delivering impact for the people they serve.
These events offer a unique opportunity to engage directly with city leaders and explore how innovation in cities is shaping the future of governance.
Event Schedule | Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Building Democracy from the Ground Up: A Conversation with Mayors 12:00 p.m.
12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. ET
Bloomberg Center for Cities | Taubman Building, 3rd Floor | Harvard Kennedy School
Cities are at the forefront of efforts to upgrade constitutional democracy for 21st century conditions. From expanding voter participation to making local government more open, transparent, and accountable, leaders are reimagining how residents interact with government and shape the decisions that affect their daily lives. This discussion will highlight how cities are creating more inclusive and responsive democratic systems through strategies such as participatory budgeting, community-driven policymaking, and cross-sector collaboration.
Mayors will share practical insights on the challenges and opportunities of governing in this moment, and how local leadership can serve as a powerful engine for democratic renewal. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how cities can foster civic trust, empower communities, and build systems that reflect the voices and needs of all residents.
Co-hosted by: Bloomberg Center for Cities and the Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation
Details: Doors open at 11:45 a.m.; lunch available
Attendance: Virtual event open to all; in-person attendance limited to Harvard ID holders
The Role of Mayors in Advancing City-wide Partnerships for Children and Youth: A Conversation with Mayors 12:00 p.m.
12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. ET
Gutman Conference Center | Harvard Graduate School of Education
How can cities increase the chances of children fulfilling their potential? Join this dynamic conversation on how local leadership is driving innovative strategies to strengthen support systems through collaboration across sectors. This event highlights the power of aligning schooling with health, housing, workforce, and community supports to create opportunities for children and families. Mayors will share how they are advancing integrated approaches that break down silos and mobilize cross-sector partnerships to address the whole child.
From practice to policy, the discussion will explore how cities can serve as catalysts for sustainable change by coordinating resources, engaging communities, and building systems that support learning beyond the classroom. Attendees will gain insights into how multi-sector strategies can transform outcomes and create more resilient, inclusive ecosystems for youth success.
Co-hosted by: Bloomberg Center for Cities and The EdRedesign Lab
Details: Doors open at 11:45 a.m.; lunch available
Attendance: Virtual event open to all; in-person attendance limited to Harvard ID holders
Building the City: Mayors on Public-Private Partnerships and Infrastructure 12:00 p.m.
12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. ET
Bowie-Vernon Room (K262), CGIS Knafel Building
Cities worldwide are turning to public-private partnerships to finance and deliver critical infrastructure—but these arrangements raise fundamental questions about accountability, equity, and who governs public goods. When do private firms complement local governments, and when do they substitute for them? Can mayors claim credit for projects jointly produced? And who takes the blame if things go awry?
Join a conversation with city mayors navigating these tradeoffs firsthand. Moderated by Alisha Holland, this discussion draws on the experiences of mayors working across different political and fiscal environments to explore how partnerships shape project design, delivery, distributional outcomes, and democratic governance. Attendees will also have the chance to engage directly with the mayors and ask questions about their approaches, challenges, and lessons learned.
Co-hosted by: Bloomberg Center for Ciites and the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs Research Cluster on Business and Government
Details: Doors open at 11:45 a.m.; lunch available
Attendance: Virtual event open to all; in-person attendance limited to Harvard ID holders
Bold Strategies to Address Homelessness: A Conversation with Mayors 1:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. – 1:50 p.m. ET
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health | Kresge G1
Homelessness is one of the most urgent public health challenges facing communities today, demanding coordinated, systems-level solutions. This conversation explores how mayors are advancing bold strategies to address the root causes of housing instability while improving health outcomes. The discussion will highlight innovative efforts to integrate healthcare, housing, and social services in ways that promote prevention, dignity, and long-term stability. Attendees will gain practical insights into cross-sector collaboration and policy innovation—and will have the opportunity to engage directly with leaders shaping more effective responses to homelessness.
Co-sponsored by: Bloomberg Center for Cities, Initiative on Health and Homelessness (IHH), and Harvard Urban Health Initiative (HUHI)
Details: Doors open at 11:45 a.m.; lunch available
Attendance: Virtual event open to all; in-person attendance limited to Harvard ID holders
Meet Your Hometown Mayor Reception 4:30 p.m.
4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. ET
Bloomberg Center for Cities | Taubman Building, Harvard Kennedy School
From April 12–14, the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative will convene mayors from 46 cities across 16 countries at Harvard University to share insights, exchange ideas, and highlight how they are delivering results for their communities
As part of the convening, students are invited to connect directly with the mayor of their hometown and meet other mayors from around the world.
This reception offers a unique opportunity to engage with mayors who are working to solve pressing challenges, strengthen their city halls, and deliver results for residents. Students will have the chance to build relationships, learn from city leaders, and expand their networks ahead of the summer.
Registration is closed for this event.
Global Challenges, Local Leadership: How Mayors Deliver Results 6:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. ET
JFK Jr. Forum | Harvard Kennedy School
From trade and investment to climate and migration, city leaders are increasingly operating at the intersection of local and global challenges. This discussion will explore how mayors are positioning their cities within an interconnected world—shaping economic strategy, forging international partnerships, and responding to shifting geopolitical dynamics.
As the boundaries between local and global policy continue to evolve, this conversation highlights the growing role of cities in advancing resilience, opportunity, and global collaboration.
The conversation will offer a closer look at how cities compete, collaborate, and lead beyond their borders, with time for attendees to engage directly with mayors on their experiences navigating this evolving global landscape.
Join the Conversation
These events are an opportunity to hear directly from mayors who are working at the forefront of public sector innovation. Space is limited for in-person attendance, and advance registration is encouraged.
