Brazilian leaders unite at Harvard to design inclusive strategies for enhancing children's futures
In June 2025, 40 leaders from Brazil made their way to Harvard University to participate in the Executive Leadership Programme in Early Childhood Development (ELP). This programme, organised by the NCPI, was a reflection of Brazil's diverse leadership on early childhood issues.
The ELP was unique and diverse, combining Harvard's world-class leadership development with a focus on practical management practices tailored for early childhood development contexts. The programme leveraged an exclusive partnership with Harvard Business School, utilizing faculty expertise and research to deliver cutting-edge leadership insights.
A bespoke, participant-centered curriculum was at the heart of the ELP. This curriculum was based on practical case studies from successful service firms, ensuring relevance to real-world challenges in early childhood development. The programme developed skills for market strategy, talent cultivation, and innovation, and emphasized creating adaptive organizational cultures.
The ELP focused on fostering go-to-market strategies, breakthrough ideas, and managing diverse teams to foster sustainable growth in a competitive environment. It also emphasized cultivating a strong organizational culture that can adapt to market and societal trends while delivering exceptional service and impact in early childhood.
The diverse cohort included high-level government representatives such as vice-governors, senators, federal and state deputies, mayors, and secretaries from Urban95 cities. Participants also included officials from the Ministries of Education and Health, community leaders from Indigenous, Quilombola, and Ribeirinho (riverside) communities, public officials, civil society leaders, academics, and communication professionals from across Brazil.
Journalists from Brazil's largest television network were present at the ELP, showcasing Brazil's leadership on early childhood issues. The programme also offered opportunities for continued networking and lifelong learning within a global community of leaders committed to making a difference in developmental and educational fields.
The ELP was held at Harvard University, with the June 2025 edition being a testament to the uniquely tailored, research-backed, practical leadership experience designed to be diverse in perspective and application. The general Harvard executive leadership approach, combined with expertise from the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard, made the ELP a valuable opportunity for personal growth and leadership skills applicable to the early childhood development sector.
- The Executive Leadership Programme in Early Childhood Development (ELP) at Harvard University in June 2025 focused on education and self-development, particularly for leaders in Brazil, with a goal to foster adaptive organizational cultures in the early childhood development sector.
- Through the ELP, community leaders from diverse backgrounds, including Indigenous, Quilombola, and Ribeirinho communities, had the opportunity to learn practical management techniques and strategies to develop sustainable growth in their respective communities.
- This programme also attracted political leaders, with high-level government representatives such as vice-governors, senators, federal and state deputies, mayors, and secretaries from Urban95 cities participating in the ELP.
- General news outlets and communication professionals, including those from Brazil's largest television network, were on-hand to report on the ELP, highlighting the country's commitment to promoting health and education in early childhood, and showcasing its leadership role on a global stage.
