In his article, Rytis Laurinavičius recalls the historic decision by the Lithuanian people to choose independence in the 1990s, despite widespread skepticism about the capability of a small nation to extricate itself from Soviet control. Over three decades later, Lithuania can take pride in its achievements, including membership in the European Union and NATO, a threefold economic growth since 2005, and the recognition of its youth as among the happiest in the world. However, Laurinavičius questions the current ambitions of the nation, challenging readers to consider how far Lithuania can go.

He argues that one of Lithuania's primary goals, alongside defense, must be education, asserting that the country should aim to establish the strongest educational system in Europe. Currently, Lithuanian students rank around 20th in the PISA international student assessment, while neighboring Estonia boasts the best educational system in Europe, followed closely by Latvia. This prompts Laurinavičius to express a sense of hope and belief that if neighboring countries can succeed, so can Lithuania.

The article serves as both a reflection on the past and a call to action for future efforts in bolstering the education sector. As Lithuania continues to evolve in the post-Soviet era, laying a strong educational foundation is seen as pivotal not only for individual success but for the overall progress of the nation in the years to come.