Presentation of the 'Global Resilience Dictionary'
During the sixth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen held in Kyiv, Olena Zelenska presented the 'Global Resilience Dictionary'. This publication for the first time has united the experiences of 38 countries, including 38 concepts, social practices, institutional models, and cultural frameworks organized around four dimensions of resilience: endure, be together, act, and give meaning. The Ukrainian concept of 'sofiiness' is presented separately, symbolically linked to St. Sophia's Cathedral, the location of the summit. The digital version of the dictionary is already available for users.
More than 45 experts from various countries worked on the publication, with the project being partnered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and diplomatic missions abroad. The expert support was provided by the Coordination Center for Mental Health of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the National Institute of Resilience and Security. Support was provided by the WHO Office in Ukraine and UNICEF.
Olena Zelenska noted: 'It was important to learn that the resilience of many peoples lies in collective action and the desire to help others. I thank all the countries that shared this invaluable knowledge that comes from the very heart and soul of your nations.'
The Dictionary of Resilience and Its Significance
Among the concepts presented in the dictionary are:
- Australian mateship
- Norwegian dugnad
- Estonian Tiigrihüpe
- German Erinnerungskultur
- South African Ubuntu
Olena Zelenska emphasized the importance of the Ukrainian term 'sofiiness', explaining: 'For me, sofiiness today is how even after another Russian shelling, people gather together, how neighbors come out to help rescuers and victims without words or calls.'
Additionally, on August 23, a scientific expert conference 'Mosaic of Experiences: International Dialogue on Resilience' took place in Kyiv. Following the conference, the work of the International Expert Council on Resilience was initiated. The VI Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen had the theme 'World-2026: Finding Support in Times of Uncertainty'. Olena Zelenska also called on scholars, universities, academic communities, and international institutions to join in forming a large scientific cluster on resilience, noting: 'We have indeed initiated a completely new, unique practice: we are forming a common language of resilience in the world to act together in times of uncertainty while standing strong and preserving ourselves. And this is just the beginning.'
The Global Resilience Dictionary aims to create new knowledge that will assist societies around the world. The dictionary is available at summitflg.org/global-resilience-dictionary.
The presentation of the 'Global Resilience Dictionary' at the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen underscores the importance of international cooperation in enhancing the resilience of societies to various challenges. The unification of experiences from different countries within this publication could form the basis for developing new approaches to solving social and cultural problems, especially in the face of global uncertainty. The significance of the Ukrainian term 'sofiiness' indicates a deep connection between cultural identity and shared values that can serve as a foundation for solidarity in tough times.