Respect. Dialogue. Understanding. 

30 years of the Krzyżowa Foundation for Mutual Understanding in Europe.

Having in mind our roots, the people who created our organization and the events that formed it, we want to dedicate 2019 to a profound reflection on what we can learn from the past and how to build a future based on respect, dialogue, and mutual understanding. These three values will accompany us during this period, setting the direction of our actions, but also emphasizing the values that have always been important in and for Krzyżowa.

Respect, dialogue and mutual understanding are values that have accompanied us from the beginning, and their significance is emphasized by the Mission and Vision of the Foundation. It is our heritage and asset, but also a goal that we have been pursuing for 30 years - "The Foundation creates a space for dialogue, mutual understanding and reconciliation, in which mutual respect and reverence are very important". This loyalty to these values allows us to create a place where people from different countries, with different experiences, competencies, abilities, views, representatives of many social backgrounds, of different ages, as well as people with different levels of physical or intellectual abilities get to know each other. It is thanks to respect and openness to dialogue that all these people want to come here, get to know each other and overcome prejudices and stereotypes.

Our motto is also a specific diagnosis. It indicates a deficit of certain values in public life, both in Poland and in Europe. Without respect and dialogue there is no agreement, without respect and dialogue it is difficult to build a common future. Experienced by the tragic armed conflicts in Europe and around the world, we should all appreciate even more the opportunity for peaceful coexistence and cooperation. Having in mind our past and seeing threats to the future, we would like to emphasize that respect and dialogue, as well as seeking mutual understanding, are essential in this difficult process of creating a "better tomorrow".

We invite you to familiarize yourself with the program of the 30th anniversary of the Krzyżowa Foundation for Mutual Understanding in Europe (30th anniversary of the Reconciliation Mass, 30 years after the conference "Christians in society"), and to accompany us during celebrations, meetings and discussions. We also encourage you to reflect together on what we have achieved and what challenges are still to be faced.

The Management Board of the Krzyżowa Foundation for Mutual Understanding in Europe

Dorota Krajdocha

Dr. Robert Żurek