Kyiv-Mohyla Academy Hosts “Roads to Freedom” Conference

      “Only the educated are free”

                                                         Epictetus, Greek philosopher

“Universities Cannot Be Barricaded. They play a leading role in society.”

U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, John Tefft

U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine John Tefft

(Kyiv, Ukraine)  Academic, political, media and civil society leaders from various countries and Ukraine met on October 7-8 at the Conference “Roads to Freedom”, held at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.  The ambassadors of the United States, Canada, Poland, Germany, France, Austria and the European Union attended the conference.

The conference was organized to provide a forum for discussion on the dynamics of Ukraine's development, on achievements and problems in its educational sector, and for formulating distinct recommendations regarding reforms in higher education.  At the opening of the conference, United States Ambassador to Ukraine John Tefft stated, "The fate of Ukraine and its universities are intertwined…Universities cannot be barricaded. They play a leading role in society".

The key issues proposed for discussion were:

• Principal Accomplishments and Challenges in the Foreign Policy of the European Union and Ukraine in 2010-2012

• The University as an Autonomous Center and a Factor in the Development of Civil Society

• Freedom of Research - From Dissidents to Intellectuals

• Freedom of Speech - Linking Academic Discourse with the Public Sphere

The Road to Freedom in Education is the Road to European Integration

The conference focused on Ukraine’s rightful place in Europe through necessary reforms in education and society.  Participants repeatedly confirmed that without freedom in Ukrainian universities there will be no freedom in Ukraine. They expressed concern about the current regression in the development of democracy and its negative impact on society and education, and voiced that support for education without political interference is essential for a nation’s stability and ability to compete in the world.

Speaking on the issue of European perspective, Raisa Bohatyryova, Head of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine said, “The government is aware of the work necessary to move the country closer to EU membership. Membership in the EU may be our unifying idea with the opposition. In many ways Ukraine today is not inferior to those countries that became EU members. We understand that there are both internal and external challenges in the EU and internal and external factors in Ukraine that stand in the way of our membership in the EU. Our government attempts to minimize the risks that impede European integration perspectives for Ukraine".

Borys Tarasiuk – former minister of foreign affairs of Ukraine, chairman of Parliamentary Committee on Euro Integration, Volodymyr Ogryzko - former minister of foreign affairs of Ukraine.

Borys Tarasiuk, chairman of Ukraine’s Parliamentary Committee on European Integration and former Minister of Foreign Affairs stated, “Ukraine faces challenges because of its unbalanced internal politics which bring the country into international isolation.  Whether Ukraine will become a member of the EU depends on Ukraine.  Everyone knows of the current situation with abuse of the judicial system and the political dependence of the courts.  It is a difficult situation.”

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Volodymyr Ogryzko added, “Unfortunately, Ukraine suspended its democratic reforms, and some events that occur are reminders of Soviet traditions.  Great progress was made when Ukraine was included in the Eastern European Partnership.  But today we are at a crucial stage. The decision to join the European Union is the Rubicon for Ukraine.  It will determine whether it will be a Eurasian or a European country.  The principal message is that for Ukraine, the road to freedom is the road to Europe.  And for Europe, Ukraine’s integration with Europe is Europe’s road to maintaining freedom. This synergy is what is needed for the creation of the European community in its entirety.”

Political pressure on universities impedes intellectual freedom

Acknowledging the accomplishments of the last twenty years and the legacy of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy’s history as the cradle of Ukraine’s intellectual thought and innovation, former U.S. Ambassador William Green Miller focused on the university’s role in preparing the country’s future leaders, but he warned that Ukraine is facing challenges to democracy and that the rule of law must be defended. He stated, “The abuse of law is unworthy of a great nation and should be corrected.  Attack on the universities by government has an effect on intellectual freedom – a freedom that is absolutely necessary for the preservation of freedom in society”. 

In commenting on the role of universities, Robin Farkuhar, professor emeritus and former president of the University of Carleton, Canada stated that, “Canadian universities are the conscience of society, a constructive critic of society, a champion of truth. If we did not have university autonomy and discretion in the use of resources, we would not be able to perform this role”.

Most universities are silent but there are voices of courage

The question was raised why most administrators and faculty of Ukrainian universities are silent during a period of political intrusion into the educational process.  Father Borys Gudziak, rector of Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv and a strong critic of current official policies, suggested that fear permeates Ukrainian society and that fear can only be overcome through personal freedom and autonomy.  He proposed that there is an urgent need to unchain the individual from the threat of fear from governmental abuse and restore human dignity in society. Participants agreed that the loss of ethics and morality is at the core of the problems facing Ukraine today.

Notwithstanding the situation, Kyiv-Mohyla Academy continues its role as a nation-building institution, reformer and leading educational institution.  The university continues to oppose the proposals for governmental control of universities and the most recent tactics of intimidation.

Speakers agreed that human resources are a determinative factor for every country in today's globalized world, and that the role of universities in preparing professional, well trained individuals cannot be underestimated.  Universities that are controlled and dependent on the government can neither be innovative research centers, nor fulfill their mission as intellectual centers of knowledge and free thought.

Dissent as a constructive dlement of Democracy

The discussion on "Freedom of Research" brought together European, American and Ukrainian intellectuals. Participants considered dissidence as a key element of democracy.  Dissidence was also considered in the context of individual responsibility and courage in defending one’s personal position. Bohdan Futej, Judge of the U.S. Federal Court of Appeals stated, “A dissenting view that differs from the opinion of the government or the majority is a necessary element of democracy.  It contributes to the development of a civil society, it enriches intellectual capacity, encourages innovation and improves mutual understanding in society.   Society is enriched when there is a free exchange of ideas.”

Summarizing the session, Volodymyr Morenets, professor and first vice-president at Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, emphasized that intellectual freedom is a fundamental human right which cannot be abrogated and that it requires courage to defend that right. 

Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine William Green Miller, Mrs. Suzanne Miller, composer Valentin Silvestrov.

Freedom of the press

The discussion on freedom of speech, professional responsibility and training of professional journalists attracted the largest audience and the most animated discussion.   The participants included some of Ukraine’s best known journalists, including Brian Bonner, Editor in Chief of the Kyiv Post newspaper, Evhen  Fedchenko, director of the Kyiv-Mohyla School of Journalism, Andrii Kulykov, host of the program "Freedom of Speech" on ICTV; Konstyantyn Kvurt, Head of the Executive Committee of "Internews Ukraine", Kateryna Myasnykova, Executive Director of the Independent Association of Television and Radio Broadcasters , Vakhtang Kipiani, Journalist, Media Expert, and Vitaly Portnykov, Chief Editor of Television Station TBi.