Hares Youssef

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.

Biography

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.[1] 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.[2]

Business

His company, Hares Holding Group,[3] is now a major Austrian multinational operating in the metallurgy, manufacturing, real estate and energy sectors.[4] Youssef has numerous links with the emerging Lviv IT industry.[5] He is currently working on the final stages of releasing the ‘Golden Hearts’ virtual currency.[6]

Philanthropy

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.'[7]

His 40 Foundation focuses on supporting science advocacy.[8]

References

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