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Professor Waldemar Czachur, after nearly two terms of chairing the Foundation Council, has decided to resign from the position of chairman. We warmly thank Professor Czachur for his contribution to the development of our organization so far and look forward to more years of cooperation, this time as a member of the Foundation Council.
On November 18, 2023, a new Presidium of the Foundation Council was elected. Ole Jantschek was elected as the new chairman, and Dorota Nahrebecka-Sobota as the vice-chairwoman.
Get to know them better.
Krzyżowa - a place of meetings and dialogue
Dorota Nahrebecka-Sobota: Krzyżowa came into my life by chance at the beginning. In early 2000, after completing my studies, I came across a job advertisement published by the Foundation. As I had been active in Polish-German cooperation for many years, I decided to give it a try. It didn't work out then, but since that time, I began to observe the Foundation's activities. Later, Krzyżowa itself came to me as a beneficiary of educational projects. That's when I could observe how dynamically the Foundation operates in this field, how well it can implement projects, and establish lasting cooperation with local authorities. Through casual conversations with Foundation employees, I immersed myself not only in its project activities but also tried to assist them with my advice and experience, including in the field of public aid.
Ole Jantschek: My path to Krzyżowa led through Berlin and Krakow. I spent the years 2003-2004 in Krakow on a student exchange at the Jagiellonian University. After its completion, I was looking for an interesting position in some organization. I came across an internship offer at the Kreisau-Initiative association in Berlin, for which I developed a simulation game about the European Parliament. In May and June 2004, I had my first longer stay at the International Youth Meeting Center in Krzyżowa. Therefore, Poland's accession to the European Union and my first encounter with Krzyżowa will remain inseparable in my memory - it's a very nice symbolism. My social activity within the network of organizations focused around Krzyżowa started anew in 2009 when I joined the board of the Kreisau-Initiative association and later became a member of the board of the Krzyżowa Foundation.
Motivation and values
Dorota Nahrebecka-Sobota: People have always been and continue to be the greatest value for me. I enjoy working with people and always strive to treat them as I would like to be treated myself. This attitude has allowed me to build positive relationships in every role I have undertaken and has enabled me to accomplish various tasks and projects in which I have been involved.
Ole Jantschek: I am professionally involved in civic education. My primary motivation stems from my experience working as a trainer and moderator. I have often seen that civic education and international exchanges provide unique moments and educational experiences. In this regard, I agree with Dorota – it is people with their experiences, ideas, and ability to inspire enthusiasm who form the basis of our actions. Especially during international exchanges, participants have the opportunity to experience diversity and question their ways of seeing. Together, they can design the future, support each other, and take collective action. The existence of organizations like the Krzyżowa Foundation is incredibly important in times when socially active individuals, especially in many European places, encounter hostility. Hence, I draw my motivation to serve as the chairman of the Foundation's Board.
The Role of the Foundation in Times of Challenges
Ole Jantschek: We live in times of significant challenges. Given the rapidly changing environment, it will become increasingly difficult for civil society organizations to adhere to fixed strategies that clash with reality. Therefore, two years ago, we began working on a new strategy for the Krzyżowa Foundation titled "Development and Security in Times of Challenges."
The most important aspect of this is that this document was developed collectively – by the Management and staff of the Foundation, as well as individuals serving on the Foundation's Council and Supervisory Board. While working on this strategy, we asked ourselves the following questions: Who are we? What do we want to achieve? Which goals do we refuse to lose sight of despite all challenges? We were inspired by the so-called Pole Star strategy, which emphasizes the importance of remembering key reference points, even when temporarily deviating from the course. In the document, the Foundation defines itself as a Central European center of competence for meetings and international dialogue. It is clearly stated that through its educational activities, the Foundation aims to contribute to co-creating a Europe shaped by its citizens, where human rights and democratic principles are upheld.
Dorota Nahrebecka-Sobota: In the current turbulent times, the Foundation should be a place where diversity is normal, where a person's language, gender, origin, or skin color do not matter. It should also be a center open to modern education and promoting the best teaching practices from across Europe, while highlighting the relevance of the idea of a united Europe.
Building Education
Dorota Nahrebecka-Sobota: Already in the 16th century, Hetman Zamoyski said, "Such will be the Commonwealth as the upbringing of its youth." Education is currently one of the most important pillars of society, especially now, in such dynamic times. Knowledge is now a key economic resource – a source of economic competitiveness and citizen prosperity. However, both the method of conveying it and the content of education are (and should be) significantly different from what we are accustomed to. The shift in priorities should be promoted not only by public institutions but also by entities like Krzyżowa, which, by promoting specific attitudes, creating a platform for the exchange of ideas and experiences, can significantly contribute to the reform and evolution of education towards skills such as critical thinking, creative problem-solving, ICT utilization, and future competencies.
Ole Jantschek: What do young people take away from a few hours or a few days spent in Krzyżowa? The answers are – I hope! – very diverse. I am optimistic that participants in exchanges perceive Krzyżowa as a place characterized by mutual respect, creativity, critical thinking, and reflection. And that afterward, they look at the world with greater curiosity, sensitivity, and a sense of responsibility. Whether it's about the history of the 20th century, today's democratic culture, or sustainable development.
We, as developers of political education and international youth exchange activities, must constantly ask ourselves what we want to achieve with a given action. This includes understanding that our actions have a limited scope. Therefore, it is crucial to focus on selected issues and to let go of those that only seem important at first glance. As members of the Foundation's Council, we should provide impulses, advice, and be critical friends in this regard, but we must not overload the educational staff with expectations or ideas. Looking at the current social mood and the dangerous questioning of democracy in many European countries, I would like Krzyżowa to encourage active participation in social life. Yes, we live in challenging times. Complex problems require complex solutions. It can be truly exhausting. But it is precisely the history of Krzyżowa that gives us courage not to lose hope. Every time we manage to empower young people, encourage them to engage in dialogue, and in the most positive sense, to argue for a better future, we gain something.
The Significance of Krzyżowa's Potential for the Future of Europe
Dorota Nahrebecka-Sobota: Krzyżowa has the potential to be an important point on the map of a united Europe. The current polarization of societies across Europe is a fact. Therefore, it is crucial to show both the possible consequences of such attitudes and to strengthen awareness of the benefits of diversity and respect for different views. I am pleased that the European Academy has been established in Krzyżowa, providing a space for creative reflection on the changing world, accompanied by open dialogue and the asking of questions – often basic ones – and the search for answers together. Fostering conscious, open attitudes may be a key to a Europe friendly to its citizens.
Ole Jantschek: I believe that this is well captured by the slogan jointly formulated by the Krzyżowa Foundation, the Kreisau-Initiative association, and the Freya von Moltke Foundation for Krzyżowa: "In Krzyżowa, we shape today, together with young people, Europe's active citizens." We should constantly ask ourselves how we can encourage young people to participate in socio-political life and support them in doing so. One of the fundamental ideas of the Kreisau Circle and the Krzyżowa Foundation is that responsibility must be experienced and taken up within the community. Therefore, we should open spaces where young people can do just that – learning new things, being inspired by others, and making connections. I hope that the Polish and German governments will also recognize the potential of the Krzyżowa Foundation even more clearly and consider it as a resource that can be used for further development of Polish-German relations in Europe.
The original text was partially in Polish and German. The above text is a translation of it.
