An exhibition marking the centenary of the birth of Bohdan Havrylyshyn, an outstanding Ukrainian, economist, thinker, and public figure, has opened in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. The exposition brings together 15 illustrations by Ukrainian artists that visually reveal the 15 principles of the Declaration of Human Responsibilities — a document created by Bohdan Havrylyshyn in 2014 following the Revolution of Dignity.
The opening of the exhibition was attended by Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk, People's Deputies of Ukraine, employees of the Secretariat of the Parliament, and representatives of the Bohdan Hawrylyshyn Family Foundation.
During the solemn opening ceremony, Ruslan Stefanchuk noted that Bohdan Hawrylyshyn was a figure of global stature who always remained dedicated to Ukraine. After the restoration of independence, he joined the building of Ukraine, including serving for seven years as Head of the Advisory Council to the Presidium of the Verkhovna Rada.
"One of the most important parts of his legacy is the Declaration of Human Responsibilities. It was on the initiative of the Verkhovna Rada that in 2021 the All-Ukrainian Human Responsibility Day was established, celebrated on 19 October — Bohdan Hawrylyshyn's birthday," noted Ruslan Stefanchuk.
Hawrylyshyn's Declaration is also a reminder for state institutions: trust begins with responsibility for one's own decisions.
"Today, during a full-scale war, his ideas have acquired special significance. The responsibility of everyone — a soldier, a volunteer, an educator, a civil servant — determines our collective ability to persevere and develop the country," emphasized the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
In turn, Yevheniia Kravchuk, Deputy Chair of the Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy, stressed: "Bohdan Hawrylyshyn was a great Ukrainian who not only co-founded the World Economic Forum in Davos and the Club of Rome, and accomplished much in independent Ukraine, but also inspired and continues to inspire Ukrainian youth. He believed in Ukrainian youth. The responsibility we are talking about does not begin with reaching the age of majority, but from childhood, through education and learning, and over time, this responsibility grows."
People's Deputy of Ukraine Roman Lozynskyi noted that Bohdan Hawrylyshyn always served as an example to others. His life proves that to implement positive changes in the country, one does not necessarily have to hold high offices — it is enough to do one's job conscientiously and convey important ideas to society. "Sometimes one can remain in the background, working quietly and tirelessly, yet timely conveying certain meanings to those who need them most," Roman Lozynskyi said.
The exhibition was opened with the support of the Bohdan Hawrylyshyn Family Foundation. Marianna Yeleiko, Head of the Foundation, conveyed gratitude to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine from the Hawrylyshyn family for preserving the memory of the thinker, his work, and the values that can be shared with the world through the Declaration.