ABSTRACT
Revolutions that fail may afterwards look heroic. Those that succeed may become institutions, eclipsing their heroic past. By any standard, Wilton Park began as a revolution. At a time of bitter hatred, recrimination, justice and revenge, it sought out the roots of evil, confronted deceitful ideologies, and began to reconcile former enemies at a level of common humanity deeper than divisive stereotypes. It turned then to the task of civic education, preparing leaders for the duties of democracy in a country of physical ruin, moral bewilderment, and near-despair. Broadening its range and ambition, it brought together people of many countries, creeds, professions and political persuasions to discuss not only their shared problems but also their mutual conflicts, again to curb antagonism and encourage goodwill. Latterly, Wilton Park has focussed attention on countries newly emerged from dictatorship in Eastern Europe or struggling to escape poverty in the Third World.
