The Solidarity Academy 2010
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.
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.
Workshops
Workshops - Group nr. 1
Topic: Idea of the Solidarity
Workshops’ main objective: participants will be given historical and philosophical basics of the Solidarity Movement. This will help them to find the answer to question about the meaning of the Solidarity in the context of modern changes in the Central and Eastern Europe.
Subjects of seminars:
Creation and development of the Solidarity Movement, times of communism and people leaving in those times, values of the Movement, fight against the Communism, the philosophy of the Solidarity and its representatives, future and meaning of the Solidarity in the modern world, workshops basing on analyze of texts,
Workshops- Group nr. 2
Topic: Social participation and innovations
Workshops’ main objective: participants will be working on the most efficient ways of rising social consciousness. The workshops are also aimed at discussing the issue of social solidarity. This group is addressed to people who find themselves as social workers, NGO’s activists etc.
Subjects of seminars:
Answer to the question: what is the point in rising social consciousness, The most efficient techniques aiming at rising social consciousness. Social innovations. Practical module concerning application of techniques mentioned above and case studies.
Workshops- Group nr. 3
Topic: Social change and the role of a leader
Workshops’ main objective: analyze of the meaning of an individual (“the leader”) in the process of social change, the searching for the most effective way of taking part in social changes.
Subjects of seminars:
An individual as a leader in the process of social changes. Practical classes: how to be a good leader? Social change and moral values: The attempt to answer the question: how to recognize and protect values during social change. Theoretical introduction to the ethical aspects of social change.The just society in the theory and practice. How can the social change lead to the creation of such a society. Case studies: cooperation between leaders as the best way of achieving social goals.