Solidarity Academy 2009

Seventy young people from Poland and other countries of Eastern Europe attended the fifth Solidarity Academy, which took place in Gdansk between 19 and 24 July 2009.

From the first day, participants worked in three thematic groups interested respectively in: social change and the role of a leader, social participation and social innovation, and development education. During workshops, a trainer who was a specialist in a particular field led each group. Although the work of every group was oriented towards a different aim, all the actions were undertaken with the common idea of solidarism: international or social solidarity.

Apart from participating in the intensive workshops, the young people also had the opportunity to attend lectures by honorable guests including, Former Polish Prime Minister Jan Krzysztof Bielecki, Father Maciej Zięba, Mirosław Chojecki, Wiesław Romanowski and Arkadiusz Rybicki MP.

Participants were also given the chance to spend time in a less formal manner. They enjoyed a concert performed by 'Małe Ważne Sprawy' and a dance party. The most attractive for the majority of guests was an urban game, which permitted them to Gdansk in randomly selected groups of three in an utterly new way. Such a form of activities provided an environment perfect for integration, exchange of experiences and attempting to build common models. It was also an opportunity to find answers to questions arisen during the workshops. Simultaneously, there appeared a new, international network of young people who want to change something and who want to learn how to act efficiently. We hope that our attempt at showing them tools and sharing with them our experience will bear fruit in future partnership actions.

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