Olena Zelenska Presented the Global Dictionary of Sustainability
First Lady Olena Zelenska presented the “Global Dictionary of Resilience,” which brings together the experiences of 38 countries and concepts that, according to the project’s authors, help societies weather crises and upheavals.
Ukraine is represented in the dictionary by the concept of “Sophianity.” Its authors describe it as a combination of the will to live, the strength to fight, and the wisdom to learn. The concept was symbolically linked to St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, where the sixth First Ladies and Gentlemen Summit took place.
According to Zelenska, “Sophianess” means the ability to see reality with both “mind and heart,” to find meaning in one’s experiences, to remain true to one’s values, and to take action. As an example, she cited the response of Ukrainians following the Russian attacks—helping the victims, rebuilding damaged infrastructure, and continuing their education despite the war.
The dictionary also includes concepts from other countries. In particular, the Australian term “mateship,” which refers to a tradition of practical mutual support; the Norwegian term “dugnad”—voluntary community work; and the South African concept of “Ubuntu,” which links human dignity with mutual responsibility.
More than 45 experts from various countries worked on the project. The authors note that each concept explains how certain societies overcome protracted crises and what lessons their experiences can offer others.
However, the presentation of “Sofianity” sparked a mixed reaction on social media. Some users viewed the idea positively and called it an attempt to articulate Ukraine’s experience of resilience for the world.
At the same time, other Ukrainians viewed the initiative with skepticism. Critics believe that during a full-scale war, there are far more pressing problems and tasks that require attention. Some also reacted skeptically to the emergence of the new term “Sophianity” and, more generally, to the use of concepts such as “resilience,” “fortitude,” and “strength,” which, according to critics, have lost their original meaning due to overuse.
Source: the President’s website
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