Hares Youssef

Hares Youssef is a prominent Syrian - Ukrainian businessman, philanthropist and technology investor. He was former Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko's Middle East envoy for a period during Yushchenko's 2005-2010 presidency.

Youssef was born in Latakia, Syria, in 1964. At the age of 18, he was sent to Kiev, Ukraine as a military cadet, fulfilling part of the exchange treaty obligations of military cooperation which at that point were in effect between Syria and the Soviet Union. Despite his pacifism and lack of interest in the tank training course, his numerous attempts at being expelled from the academy were fruitless, as his presence was inscribed in the protocols of the treaty obligation. Youssef was a close adviser to Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko.

In 2007 President Yushchenko appointed him his envoy and policy adviser for the Middle East. He is widely credited with saving Yushchenko's life in the wake of his 2004 chloracne dioxin poisoning, having personally accompanied Yushchenko to Switzerland for specialized treatment with Professor Jean Saurat at the University of Geneva Hospital.

His company, Hares Holding Group, is now a major Austrian multinational operating in the metallurgy, manufacturing, real estate and energy sectors. Youssef has numerous links with the emerging Lviv IT industry. He is currently working on the final stages of releasing the ‘Golden Hearts’ virtual currency.

Hares Youssef is a patron of many charities in Ukraine. Most notably he is involved with the orphan oriented charity “Ukraine 3000”, which is chaired by former Ukrainian First Lady Kateryna Yushchenko. He is a prominent collector of ancient Near Eastern art and antiquities. His private collection of Levantine antiquities is considered to be one of the most extensive held in private hands.

A close friend of the Syrian poet Adunis, he was the publisher of his magazine 'Another' between 2011- 2013.'

He is the publisher of the cultural magazine The Odessa Review.

He pens a bimonthly column for The Odessa Review related to his thoughts about the development of contemporary Ukrainian culture.

Over years, Mr. Youssef has been an active supporter of Education initiatives under the auspices of the Foundation UNESCO Education for Children in Need. A variety of projects have been established with the support of Hares Youssef, such as the Hares Youssef Boy school http://docdro.id/JK3FV5i and Hares Youssef Girls School. http://docdro.id/auI6MyY

His 40 Foundation focuses on supporting science advocacy.