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My name is Agata and I have been working at the International Youth Meeting Center of the Kreisau Foundation for two and a half years. During this time, I have already organized many projects and youth encounters. But this time, as a participant in the #Youth4Peace program from 3 to 10 May 2025 in Berlin, I was able to experience the importance of international exchange in a new - and at the same time familiar - role.
Together with 80 young people:
→ from the Balkans, where states do not always act in the interests of its own citizens,
→ from Central Europe, where in various countries - including Poland - the rights of national minorities, queer people, people with disabilities and people with a migration background are violated,
→ from Eastern Europe, including Ukraine, where war is still raging
→ from the USA, where anti-democratic movements are becoming ever louder,
Read more: Youth4Peace
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From April 7th to 11th, 2025, the annual meeting of students and teachers from the partner schools I LO in Brzeg (Poland) and St. Benno-Gymnasium in Dresden (Germany) took place in Krzyżowa. The partnership between the institutions has been ongoing for four years, and every year young people meet in Krzyżowa to jointly develop intercultural dialogue, build friendships, and exchange ideas for joint projects. This year's meeting, led by Martyna Sidorowicz, was assisted by two interns: Emilia Jacober and Sarah von Moltke, and what was the result?
Generally speaking, it was a wonderful experience and everyone gained something from it, whether it was experience in speaking English or new friendships - summarizes Sarah von Moltke.
Participating in this meeting was extremely satisfying and brought me many benefits. I gained valuable knowledge about Krzyżowa and its history, and the exchange with other participants was very inspiring. I particularly appreciate the opportunity to make new contacts and improve my language skills - said Emilia Jacober.
What do the evaluation surveys indicate? 100% of respondents from Brzeg and 90% from Dresden noted that the project increased their level of knowledge regarding communication and cooperation in a group, and they indicated the most valuable aspects of the entire exchange included: meeting foreign friends and breaking the language barrier, integration with other people, and learning about other cultures and languages.
Was anything missing from the program? Of course, time, which is why the partners are already planning another joint meeting today.
Let's hope it will be in Krzyżowa :)
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From March 31st to April 4th, 2025, a trilateral youth exchange took place at the International Youth Meeting Centre in Krzyżowa, involving students from Germany, Poland, and Ukraine. A total of 36 students from Würzburg, Piotrków Trybunalski, and Lviv participated in the project.
The exchange was not only educational and integrative but also practical and social in nature. One of the tasks during the stay was to help in removing the effects of the recent flood. The young people enthusiastically cleaned the local river, participated in gardening work. These activities not only helped the local community but also strengthened the sense of community and responsibility for the environment.
Read more: "Together, more can be achieved" - trilateral youth exchange between Poland, Germany, and Ukraine
The “Krzyzowa” Foundation for Mutual Understanding in Europe and the Club of Catholic Intelligentsia, invite young people from Poland, Ukraine, and Germany, aged 15-17, who want to experience an unforgettable week full of inspiring meetings, creative workshops and intercultural experiences to Krzyzowa near Wroclaw from July 27 to August 03, 2025 for a Polish-German-Ukrainian exchange “Art of Relationships”.
The “Art of Relationships” exchange is part of the “LIKHTAR / Ліхтар” networking project.
During the three-cultural exchange, young people will travel deep into the world of history, art and communication, in a place with a unique past. The former estate of the von Moltke family, Nazi oppositionists, today the headquarters of the “Krzyzowa” Foundation for European Understanding, will become a space for building bridges between cultures. During the week we will immerse ourselves in the world of multilingualism, discover the history of the place through creative workshops, and learn what nonviolent communication is in a drama workshop.
Read more: PARTICIPATE! In the Polish-German-Ukrainian youth exchange in Krzyzowa! 27.07-03.08.2025
