The Solidarity Academy is a seminar directed to young people from Poland and from Central and Eastern Europe. Next edition of the seminar will be held in Gdansk from 25 to 30 April 2010. 

A total of 60 participants will be invited to participate in the Academy: 20 participants from Poland and 40 participants from abroad (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Russia, Romania, Slovakia and Ukraine and other countries).

The goal of the Academy is to preserve and develop the tradition of the Solidarity Movement. It is very important to remember that this tradition was created not only by the experience of the events know as the “Polish August of the year 1980”, but also by the social thought of Pope John Paul II, who often referred to the idea of solidarity as a fundamental principle of the social life. We would like to familiarize the young people with the idea of solidarity regarding its different aspects – primarily its historical, economical, social-political and moral dimensions. The main goal of the project relies on reflection regarding the heritage of the Solidarity movement – its history and meaning. We would like to answer the question: how can the idea of the Solidarity be implemented in different fields of the social life (in the economy, in the non-governmental or self-governmental sectors, etc.).

We realized that the implementation of the idea of international solidarity is necessary, because being able to face the challenges of modernity requires an international  approach. What is the international approach? It is crossing state borders cooperation between the people. We think that it has a special meaning for the countries of the former Eastern block that have a common history and similar experience of communism. The cooperation between these countries can bring us a new quality of international coexistence and, in effect, a new quality of human life. Therefore, similarly to last year, this year’s seminar will have an international character. 

The Academy of Solidarity 2010 will last five days. Every day the participants will take part in a lecture, practical workshops, which will be divided into 3 thematic paths. They will allow the participants to gain the knowledge and basic practical skills in the field of: the idea of Solidarity Movement, social change and social participation. The program of the seminar includes also: visits to important historical places connected with the Solidarity and a panel discussion closing the Academy.

More information about the Solidarity Academy 2010 you can find at our website: www.akademiasolidarnosci.pl

The participants from abroad can apply for the Academy till 18th of March.

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