What was so powerfully witnessed during the Revolution of Dignity was the emergence of a new modality of communication, which we might call a language of values. It was very spontaneously and beautifully born from the spirit and ethos of the solidarity of the Maidan community. The very name “Revolution of Dignity” aptly reflects our growing ability to communicate in a language which enables us to transcend the differences among ourselves not by simply ignoring them but rather by respectfully allowing them to unfold and enrich our dialog.

One of the major achievements of the Revolution of Dignity is this. The Revolution has released the whole of Ukrainian society from any obligations entitled by its previous post-soviet social contract. By being released from the old social contract we have opened ourselves up for a design of a new social contract founded on the respect for human dignity and solidarity.

When it comes to the future and the hope for the future, I am convinced that the Revolution of Dignity has taught us a powerful lesson which is well captured by saying: a free society is a moral achievement. The education should not only be receptive of this idea but it should think of itself as a critical player and, perhaps, the leading stakeholder in educating us for freedom. It should enable and inspire us for a kind of an achievement which a free society is.

If looking beyond the Ukrainian experience, it is becoming increasingly evident that we need to develop a new vision for a rapidly changing world, that is to say, a vision for us humans as the global citizens of the 21st century. This is where, for instance, the “Education in Dignity” comes to the fore as a rich concept which can encourage us for such new vison and empower to implement it.