L’istruzione non riguarda solo la conoscenza. È una scelta di ciò che insegniamo alla prossima generazione: odiare o creare.

In the democratic world, we teach children to think critically, to feel empathy, to cooperate and respect one another. But in authoritarian regimes, education is weaponized and used to instill blind obedience, glorify violence, and prepare children for war.

In Ukraine, even under shelling, children keep learning. In basements, in bombed schools, and through flickering screens, they study, because education is not a luxury here. It is our defense. It is our way to protect the future.

That is why the Fifth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen, that gathers spouses of world leaders, experts, Nobel Laureates, will be held in Kyiv. We have so much to share—for global peace, cooperation and a better life for every child in the world.