As a traumatised society, Ukrainians have two paths to choose from: allow the trauma to swallow us whole, or allow it to unite us and propel us forward. This point of view was expressed during a discussion as part of the New Country project by theologian, Loyola Marymount University professor, and research fellow at Yale and Columbia Universities, Kyrylo (Govorun).
Using the example of universities in countries whose societies have experienced trauma, he explained the importance of using this experience for development. In particular, Medellín University in Colombia has developed into one of the best in the country.
According to the theologian, Chilean society was able to transform its trauma into a significant leap forward in education at some universities. He also spoke positively about the development of higher education institutions in Africa and China, although in the latter, students are taught paternalism.
“When a country, a society, or an education system starts at a low point, and it starts where there is trauma and where people have experienced tragedies, it can actually be a very powerful moment of movement. It gives a huge boost that allows you to simply go through many stages that other countries – more prosperous, even richer, where there is investment, where business invests and everything else – must go through much more slowly,” he said.
He added that in the United States, where higher education institutions are forced to appease businessmen for funding, on the contrary, stagnation is occurring. And in Japanese universities, in his opinion, there is no dynamic development.
“We can allow the trauma to swallow us up, to relax, to start forgiving ourselves for being traumatised, and we have the right to do so. We have the absolute right to forgive ourselves and thereby sink lower and lower because of the trauma. And many people do just that. Or trauma can help us to regroup, consolidate and make a leap forward,” emphasised Kyrylo (Govorun).