.jpg)
From December 2 to December 6, an extraordinary youth exchange between Zielona Góra and the German town of Peitz took place. The meeting, held at the International Youth Meeting Centre in Krzyżowa (MDSM Krzyżowa), brought together 40 participants. This event, funded by the Polish-German Youth Office (PNWM), aimed to foster intercultural connections and encourage creative collaboration in a unique holiday atmosphere.
During the exchange, participants took part in various workshops designed to promote creativity and integration. One of the highlights of the program was creating holiday wreaths from wicker, which were then decorated according to individual ideas. The process required teamwork, imagination, and manual skills. The results impressed both participants and organizers alike.
In addition to creative activities, the youth prepared posters and presentations reflecting their shared discussions on daily customs and hobbies in Poland and Germany. This allowed participants to better understand cultural diversity while discovering numerous common interests.
Krzyżowa, with its historical significance as a place of dialogue and collaboration, provided the perfect backdrop for the exchange. It not only nurtured creative skills but also facilitated the formation of international friendships and mutual understanding. Participants emphasized that working together, regardless of language or cultural differences, is an excellent way to build close relationships and mutual respect.
Read more: Polish-German Youth Exchange – Creative Activities at the International Youth Meeting Centre in...
From October 13 to 19, 2024, Krzyżowa hosted the “Young Leaders” project, organized by the Krzyżowa Foundation for Mutual Understanding in Europe with financial support from the German Consulate. The initiative aimed to equip young leaders with essential skills and knowledge to foster effective and empathetic collaboration with youth and children who have experienced displacement, migration, or refugee status.
Key Objectives
The project focused on developing leadership competencies, gaining international experience, and acquiring practical knowledge in psychological and social support. Participants had the opportunity to exchange views and build connections with peers from various countries who shared similar life challenges. The program emphasized resilience, creativity, and nurturing self-confidence, empathy, and hope.
Read more: “Young Leaders” Project in Krzyżowa (October 13–19, 2024)
From October 21 to 26, 2024, 60 students from Środa Śląska (Poland), Kamionka Buska (Ukraine), and Saterland (Germany) came together for an engaging week at the International Youth Meeting Center in Krzyżowa. Through language and integration games, tours of Krzyżowa, and self-organized evening activities, they built meaningful connections and got to know one another better.
The program included excursions to Świdnica and the Polish partner town of Środa Śląska. During creative workshops, participants explored elements of folklore from their three countries, designing their own interpretations on bags. Scrapbooking sessions provided an opportunity to craft memory albums using various natural papers and materials.
Read more: Youth Exchange Środa Śląska – Kamionka Buska – Saterland
On Friday, October 25, 2024, we had the pleasure of attending the final gala of the international essay competition "Women in Resistance", held at the Zeitgeschichtliches Forum in Leipzig. This competition was one of the many initiatives within the three-year project “Female Stories Unheard – European Remembrance of Women in Resistance Against National Socialism”, carried out in collaboration with Bildungswerk Sachsen (Leipzig) and Antikomplex (Prague).
Out of the essays submitted, the jury selected 10 outstanding works, with three earning a spot on the podium:
🏅 1st Place: "Invisible Resistance: Batsheva's Story" by Shania Timpe (Germany)
🥈 2nd Place: "Dolly. Buried in Time" by Amelia Maj (Poland)
🥉 3rd Place: "I Am a Woman – I Know. A Lesson on Femininity" by Weronika Doburcka (Poland)
Read more: Final of the "Women in Resistance" Essay Contest
