The news that Mikhail Gorbachev died on August 30 at the age of 91 dates back 17 years when I covered his attendance at the 2005 Annual Conference of the National Association of School Boards in San Diego. increase.

Why was the former Soviet leader invited to be a keynote speaker at the National Assembly of American Educational Leaders?

At a press conference before he took center stage, he said he asked himself the same question: “Why did they invite me?”

As head of state of the now-defunct Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Gorbachev seemed a rather odd choice to convey his views on the state of education.

The NSBA, the national federation of school boards representing more than 95,000 school board members, describes the relationship between Gorbachev and the concerns of school board members: Should priorities be reframed in changing times? Should peace be maintained between groups with different agendas? Mikhail Gorbachev faced similar challenges in leading the Soviet Union into a new era Overcame. ”

Certainly a tenuous connection. What relevance might Gorbachev have for members of the Board of Education?

However, as a world leader with a unique global perspective, it turns out he has a lot to say about the need for quality, free and universal education.

No one today questions the enormous influence he had on the shape of the world during his six-year tenure as head of state from 1985 to 1991.

The list of his achievements is impressive. He took control of one of the world’s two superpowers in the 1980s and signed two disarmament agreements with the United States, effectively halting the nuclear arms race, ending the Cold War, and lifting the Iron Curtain. Lifting and embracing Eastern European democracy, he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990 and earned a reputation as one of the most prominent and influential figures of the 20th century.

However, he is not considered to be involved in educational policy. Still, 11,000 of his NSBA attendees filled the cavernous halls of the San Diego Convention Center, giving politicians a long welcome standing and his ovation.

In a 50-minute speech, the skilled orator, through an interpreter, explains his background, his becoming leader of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1985, and ultimately the very political system he was elected president of. He explained that he had become disillusioned.

Gorbachev said the world’s difficulties, including society’s educational needs, can be attributed to problems of political leadership.

“We need visionary leaders who can transcend old paradigms,” he said.

Gorbachev benefited from a political system that gave him access to a good schooling that would prepare him for a position of power. It’s about being open enough to recognize that. A basic need of the Soviet people – a good education is essential.

Without his education, “I would have had a very different fate,” he said.

Gorbachev was greeted with enthusiastic applause as he repeatedly called on world leaders to ensure free and universal access to education.

“Every family should be able to educate their children so that they can step into the world with confidence,” he said.

Gorbachev said education should be given a higher priority and is the key to overcoming poverty in the world. I quoted UN statistics at the time.

“People say they don’t have enough money [for education], but there is a paradox, ”Gorbachev said at a press conference before his speech. “Whenever we need to fund a military action, operation, or war, the money is readily available.”

“What you do will be key to shaping America’s present and future,” he told the audience.

The creators of what are known as Glasnost (openness) and Perestroika (restructuring to develop economic, political and social reforms) have had a lot to say about education.

Gorbachev’s life was plunged into political turmoil, but every elected official who ever had to fight negative campaigns or ally with quarrelsome factions that quickly switched allegiances It could be seen as a lesson for survival.

This was relevant in 2005 and is still important today for school board members who regularly deal with changing political climates and demands of outside power.

Gorbachev, who has spent most of his life as a staunch communist, said his ideological transformation was a gradual one.

“When was the moment when I concluded the need for radical change? This conclusion came after a long political life,” he said.

Gorbachev said it was the 20th anniversary of the start of perestroika, effectively ending 70 years of totalitarian rule and optimistically allowing the country to transition to a system of freedom, openness and democracy. .

“I continue to say that without strengthening democracy and strengthening individual rights and freedoms, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to modernize Russia and address the multiple problems facing its people. I believe.

Unfortunately, the great statesman was forced to watch every attempt at progress under Vladimir Putin under Vladimir Putin in the years that followed.

Gorbachev spoke at a time when many thought the collapse of the Soviet Union would bring a renewed commitment to democracy, a focus on eradicating poverty, and equal educational opportunities for children around the world. .

If Gorbachev’s words of 17 years ago had been given the meaning they deserved, the world, and Russia itself, might be very different today.

May Gorbachev be remembered as a man of extraordinary vision who shines as a symbol of freedom and the promise of the future. It was an honor to meet him and hear his story.

Marsha Sutton, opinion columnist and education writer, can be reached at suttonmarsha@gmail.com.