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18 WWW. UNWLA.ORG “НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ”, ГРУДЕНЬ 2012 tyrs for severa l long decades, and was forced to go underground. You have gone from a place that witnessed the worst in humanity to a place that extends the circle of humanity. This university is tied to the history of that struggle. Today, you have the di s- tinction of being the first Catholic university to open on the territory of the former Soviet Union and the first university of the Eastern Catholic Church. And since the establishment of UCU a decade ago, you have become a center of acade m- ic excellence, recogniz ed for rigorous intellectual standards, ethical principles, a moral vision, a spirit of community, and a place where future leaders are being formed and nurtured. Bishop Boris once described UCU this way: “a center for cultural thought and formation of a new Ukrainian society based on human dign i- ty...a place breathing in the winds of freedom with full lungs and the hunger to make your path for the future.” I had the opportunity to tour this campus and meet with some of your leaders yesterday. What is occurring here is truly a transformative experience for students and faculty alike. Taras Shevchenko wrote, “In your house, you will find truth, strength, and freedom.” In Ukraine, we find them here at UCU. Let me offer my congratulations to the new Apostolic Exarch. Bishop Boris is not here because he is in America growing support for this university to which he has been so devoted. I have no doubt he will continue to be engaged in every way he can in his new position. I come to your country at a defining m o- ment – a crossroad in the life of your young d e- mocracy. As the U.S. Government has noted, the recent parliamentary campaign and elections were a step backwards for Ukraine – riddled with irregularities, falsification of results in some pla c- es, intimidation, diversion of government r e- sources to benefit ruling party candidates, as well as the politically motivated conviction and impr i- sonment of opposition leaders like Yulia Tym o- shenko that kept them from competing in the election. It was not t hat long ago that Bishop Boris and this university were warned about students’ participation in protests. If this had not been stopped, it would be the kind of harassment that undermines democratic values, religious liberty, academic freedom, and human ri ghts. I think we should take to heart what Bishop Boris said then because it is a guidepost for today. “We can do more than we think,” he said. “This is not the first time we are in a crisis; it is not the first time Ukraine is in this condition. The current situation is not only one of challenges and dangers, but also a huge opportunity.” And it is opportunity that I want to speak to you about t o- day, and in particular, two ways that you can truly make a difference. First, the call to citizenship. Democracy has been described as messy business. It requires patience, hard work, co n- stant nurturing and vigilance. Democracy is who we are and how we live our lives. It is the values that the French political thinker Alex de Tocqu e- ville observed in th e earliest days of America’s history and he called them “habits of the heart” to be passed from one generation to another. When my grandparents came to America from Ukraine all those years ago, they brought with them the values of service to community, a belief in a better tomorrow, a strong faith and an optimistic spirit that enabled them and their fe l- low Ukrainians to establish the first Ukrainian self - help organization in the U.S. in 1894. It was like so many voluntary organizations in the U.S. that e ven today are addressing the education and social needs of the émigré communities – from providing access to credit to start small busines s- es to English language classes, so their children could better themselves in their adopted country. Despite all the challenges, they faced in a new land, they did rather remarkable things. They built churches and schools. They were true civil society leaders and they were agents of change. Each generation is called to meet the cha l- lenges of its times. You are among the best and brightest of your generation. You will be the young professionals and the civic activists like so many I have met here in Ukraine this trip and in the past, who are making a difference for your country. I’m always inspired by so many citi zen activists fighting against corruption, promoting tolerance, supporting women’s equality and h u- man rights, advancing religious freedom, stru g- gling for free democratic institutions and rule of law, supporting entrepreneurs, economic reforms, and mentorin g programs, working with people with special needs, and so much more. Where would this country be without these efforts? Ukraine has accomplished much in the last 20 years of independence, but there is still much work to be done. As you look forward, t he decisions of go v- ernment will not only determine Ukraine’s future, but your own. Secretary Clinton has reminded us that societies move forward when “citizens are
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