The Revolution of Dignity: “Hot” and “Cold” Topics

Activity objective

To teach participants to identify the factors that make certain issues controversial and to understand the challenges involved in addressing different types of such issues; to help them learn to discuss controversial issues in a tolerant and safe manner, with respect for others’ opinions.

Expected learning results

The participants will:

• Recognize the factors that can make issues controversial.
• Understand the nature of controversial issues and the challenges that may arise when discussing them.
• Learn how to discuss controversial issues safely and respect the opinions of others.
• Gain a more profound understanding of democratic values through discussions of the Maidan phenomenon.

Description of the activity

1. Place a sheet of paper with the word “HOT” on the floor in one corner of the room, another sheet with the word “COLD” in the opposite corner, and a sheet with the word “WARM” in the center between them.
2. Discuss the term “controversial issues” to ensure everyone present understands its meaning.

3. Select 6–8 topics related to Maidan and the Revolution of Dignity that are likely to generate discussion. You may choose from the list below or come up with your own topics.
4. Read aloud or display on the board/slide the first controversial topic. Ask participants to position themselves according to how comfortable or uncomfortable they feel discussing this topic: Hot—I feel uncomfortable discussing this topic; Cold—I feel comfortable discussing this topic; and Warm—I feel moderately uncomfortable, but I am open to discussing it. Remind participants that they are not expressing their opinion on the topic itself. They are only assessing how comfortable they feel discussing it.

5. Once all participants have decided where to stand, discuss their choices. Ask them what determined their decisions and whether they found it difficult to choose a position.
6. Read the next topic aloud and repeat the same process.
7. Continue discussing several topics in this way, depending on the group’s readiness, available time, and other factors. We suggest covering 6 to 12 topics.

7. Ask everyone to sit in a circle and reflect on the activity.

Suggested controversial topics about the Maidan phenomenon 

and the Revolution of Dignity

(We recommend that you create your own topics and/or modify these to better suit the group with whom you are conducting the activity.)

• The role of the EU and the United States in the events at Maidan
• Russia’s influence on the course of events at Maidan
• The occupation of administrative buildings in Kyiv by protesters
• The use of weapons by protesters
• The right of citizens to armed resistance against the state
• The “Night of Rage” in western Ukraine on 19 February 2014
• The arguments of those who, for various reasons, did not support Euromaidan and/or the Revolution of Dignity
• The attempt to storm the Presidential Administration in December 2013
• The confrontation between Maidan and “Anti-Maidan.”
• The role and actions of law enforcement during Maidan
• The violent clashes between protesters and riot police on 18–20 February 2014
• The language issue in the context of Maidan
• The possible connection between Maidan and the beginning of Russia’s war against Ukraine
• The Oligarchs and Maidan
• The role of the media during the Revolution of Dignity
• The lack of court verdicts in the “Maidan cases” to date
• The demolition of Lenin monuments (“Leninofall”)
• “Trash lustration” and the public humiliation of officials in 2014
• The interpretation of Maidan as a coup d’état
• Negotiations between Maidan representatives and the Yanukovych administration

Reflection

Tips for teachers/ educators

The term “controversial issues” refers to issues/statements that spark debate and provoke strong emotions because they address complex, ambiguous, or sensitive aspects of life, such as socio-political realities, ethics, politics, religion, or social relations.

To better understand the topic, we recommend preparing a short presentation about the Maidan (you can find brief information in the handbook Maidan: Questions and Answers).

For more information about the events of the Revolution of Dignity, please refer to the information and educational materials available at: https://maidanmuseum.org/uk/science/9. You may also prepare your own materials on a chosen topic, tailored to the specific audience or group of students. https://maidanmuseum.org/uk/node/3174

Required materials

• A room or other area large enough for participants to move around freely;
• Sheets of paper with the words “HOT,” “COLD,” and “WARM,” printed or clearly written on them;
• A list of statements (these can be displayed on a slide so that participants have time to read them. It is important that these statements appear one after another, rather than all at once);
• Chairs for everyone to sit on while reflecting.

Authors/Copyright

Lesia Onyshko, Kateryna Romanova, and Khrystyna Chushak

This activity is based on “Hot or Cold” from The Council of Europe’s training pack, Living with Controversy – Teaching Controversial Issues Through Education for Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights (EDC/HRE), 2015 (see https://edoc.coe.int/en/human-rights-democratic-citizenship-and-interculturalism/7738-teaching-controversial-issues.html).