The victory of Feb. 11, in Cairo marks an important stride in the ultimate struggle for freedom and democracy in the world.

The people spoke, and they showed that protest is an effective means of achieving change. But is everything now going to be magically okay again? How do we know that the past will not repeat itself? How can we build upon this victory to create lasting change and move toward democracy? The answer lies in a complete overhaul and reconstruction of the Egyptian nation.

First things first: out with the old, in with the new. The now-totaled government of Egypt needs to be entirely cut off and the slate of governance wiped clean. The power of the people started this revolution, and they must be given the power to start their new nation. Ideally, the entire population of Egypt should be piled into a convention center and all plans laid out through simple democracy. Since this is absurd due to Egypt’s population, the task requires a committee of representatives. These representatives should be chosen from localized groups, such as political parties, religions, cities, villages, families and other interest groups.

To allow just one of these interests groups or one individual to take the reins of this noble and rebellious steed would be unjust. To prevent this from occurring, I feel an individual or board of individuals with knowledge of Egyptian and Middle Eastern history and special training in political science and institutional systems should be sent into Egypt strictly as a moderator.

This educated moderator would regulate the debate and provide wisdom and knowledge to the people as they frame their new government. The educated moderator would presumably come from the United Nations, along with several peacekeeping units so as to ease any violence that may ensue.

The people’s representative board should then establish a system of governance that at least two-thirds of the representatives agree upon. When a third of the country has issues with the proposal, skepticism should arise.

Once the representatives come to an agreement and the moderator deems the people equally and adequately appeased, then the first conference would conclude and the nation would move into another election to choose a provisional government whose only job is to work out the details and gray areas in the proposed governmental framework. Once they have ratified a constitution with the oversight of the educated moderator, another election should be held.

The educated moderator should leave the country at this point, though the peacekeeping units may stay behind until the police force is given the go-ahead by the new government. The nation would then chose its new government representatives and heads as laid out in the constitution they created.

The world will then see how the dissent of the people can truly lead to change. Today, only a major battle is won. Many more lie ahead for the Egyptian people-and for freedom itself.