European Solidarity Center

 

The European Solidarity Centre is a multifunctional institution combining scientific, cultural and educational activity with a modern museum and archive, documenting freedom movements in the modern  history of Poland and Europe.
The Letter of Intent to create ESC was signed by heads of state and government, who gathered in Gdansk in 2005, on the 25th anniversary of the establishment of Solidarność. The Centre was established in Gdańsk on 8 November 2007, by the Minister of Culture, the Marshall of the Pomeranian Voievodship, the President of Gdańsk, the President of the European Solidarity Centre Foundation and the Chairman of the NSZZ Solidarność Trade Union.
The main purpose of the European Solidarity Centre is to preserve the heritage and retain a fond memory of Solidarność  in order to hand it down to future generations, while stressing its relevance anduniversal value. The first task, retrospective in its nature, was to realise a modern, interactive museum demonstrating how the events in the Gdansk Shipyard initiated the fall of communism in Central and Eastern Europe. The Centre also accommodates a multimedia archive and library, witha collection of dispersed and neglected souvenirs of Solidarność. Together with exhibitions – permanent as well as mobile – ESC acts to strengthen awareness of modern history, which is pivotal in building a European identity.
The second goal of ESC activity, the prospective one, is to hand down the heritage, ideas and notion of solidarity to future generations. We would like to confirm that solidarity – understood as the concern about the well being and common interest, and unity with respect for diversity – is still very relevant in modern society and worthy of all efforts of enhancement. Therefore, one of the most important areas of activity in this respect is education. ESC organises workshops, seminars, lectures and debates for young people, their teachers and local leaders, from all over Europe.
We are also a cultural institution creating our own events and projects, and organising concerts and festivals with a view to inspiring fresh and new artistic movements.
Finally, we are active in historical research and social sciences. We aim to understand and explain the notion of freedom, justice and solidarity in order to become a centre of co-operation and integration, sharing the heritage of solidarity and its advocacy for justice, democracy and human rights with those who are deprived of it.

www.ecs.gda.pl
ul. Doki 1
80-958 Gdańsk, Poland
+48 58 767 79 71
ecs@ecs.gda.pl

 

Tertio Millennio Institute

(…) The modern world reflects the situation of the Areopagus of Athens, where Saint Paul spoke. Today there are many "areopagi", and very different ones: these are the vast sectors of contemporary civilization and culture, of politics and economics. The more the West is becoming estranged from its Christian roots, the more it is becoming missionary territory, taking the form of many different "areopagi". (TMA 57)
Tertio Millennio Institute was founded in 1996 as a response to the call of John Paul II by the Apostolic letter Tertio Millennio Adveniente that called for a preparation for the Great Jubilee of Third Millennium.Not only should this search be carried out individually, but also collectively, and so there is a need for places to gather and engage in a positive exchange of ideas. This is the type of organization that Tertio Millennio Institute hopes to be.Through its activities the Institute strives to enable discussion between various groups and circles. Despite their divergence of opinions and a variety of experiences, they are united by a concern for the common good.
The primary task of the Institute concerns the study, commentary on and popularization of the teaching of John Paul II. Such work is imperative today as the Pope’s teachings are very often simplified or only selectively analyzed within the media and public debates.The Institute endeavors to provide commentary upon the primary documents of the present Pontificate, giving special attention to the implications of the Pope’s teaching on our social life.In regards to the social teaching of the Church, two schools have been established: the Summer Seminar - Tertio Millennio on the Free Society and the Winter School - The Church and Free Society. Among the participants are students and clergy from Poland, the USA and South-East Europe.These provide an opportunity for collaboration between the school’s participants and others interested in our activities. This is also facilitated through monthly forums called Millennium Debates, currently held in few cities in Poland.
Going into the third millennium the Institute aspires to continue work undertaken following John Paul II’s calling from the Apostolic letter Novo Millennio Ineunte: The symbol of the Holy Door now closes behind us, but only in order to leave more fully open the living door which is Christ. After the enthusiasm of the Jubilee, it is not to a dull everyday routine that we return. On the contrary, if ours has been a genuine pilgrimage, it will have as it were stretched our legs for the journey still ahead. We need to imitate the zeal of the Apostle Paul: "Straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on towards the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:13-14). (NMI 59)

The Institute is a non-profit organization. Those interested in association with us or in contribution of financial support may contact us at:
ul. Dominikańska 3/13, 31-043 Kraków
tel.   (012) 423-11-75 , fax. (012) 429-10-42
e-mail: instytut@tertio.pl