A day which changed the course of history. They went onto the streets of Baku to reclaim our independence. That day they lost their lives. But we regained our independence. And here we are more than 30 years later! Standing strong, building and rebuilding. Those fallen had a dream. We realized their dream. And we vowed to keep doing so.

How symbolic is that on this cold day of January, some 20 teachers and principals from remote villages and towns of Azerbaijan start their program here at The Washington Center of ADA University?! More than 30 years later, we have an independent country and a strong one! And we have built a world class university in that country! And that university has a campus in the capital city of the United States of America!

Today, The Washington Center of ADA University is helping to write a new Manifesto of One Teacher and Educator. This evening, more than 20 teachers and principals from remote parts of Azerbaijan held a vigil to celebrate the beginning of their independence. We hope they will complete their program here, go back to their schools and help to realize the dreams of those fallen on that cold day of January. While they have a desire to learn, to grow and to make an impact, we will do everything possible to keep educating.

This 20th day of January, we start with 20 new dreams, 20 new aspirations, 20 new visions. Here at The Washington Center of ADA University!