Human dignity became one of the key topics of the protests in Ukraine in 2013-2014 – the so-called “Euromaidan”. Since then, society and politics in Ukraine underwent remarkable changes, including a war in Eastern Ukraine, the annexation of Crimea by Russia, about a Million internal displaced persons, the founding of a new Orthodox church and the formation of a new political elite. The issue of human dignity remained a measure for political and social activities during these five years after the Maidan, contesting notions of dignity shaped by the Soviet past and by a secular and liberal Western Europe.

The Christian churches claim to have a unique understanding of human dignity, which shall shape societies and cultures growing on Christian roots. Yet, human dignity is also a contested issue within the churches and in the ecumenical relations – in Ukraine as well as in other societies. The conference aims to explore this current discourse on human dignity within Christian theology and its implications for particular challenges in the socio-ethical sphere, such as peace, education, economics, culture, media and church structures.