Summer School of Dialogue is a week-long summer field seminar for a group of outstanding School of Dialogue graduates from all over Poland. After a week of intensive workshops, lectures and study visits, participants go back to their hometowns with a deeper knowledge and understanding of the complexities of Polish/Jewish relations. They become Young Leaders of Dialogue. By its nature, School of Dialogue is an egalitarian program, in which each young participant can find a place and a task best suited to his/her capacities.

However, there are always those who get especially involved in Polish/Jewish matters, who have more ideas and motivation for action than they are able to demonstrate in the School of Dialogue program. We believe that we should invest in these students, which is why in 2015 we launched the Summer School of Dialogue program. Summer School of Dialogue is a week-long summer field seminar, during which School of Dialogue participants from all over Poland continue what they had started with activities conducated in their school. They build on this knowledge to become Young Leaders of Dialogue.

After a week of intensive workshops, lectures and study visits, participants go back to their hometowns with a deeper knowledge and understanding of the complexities of Polish/Jewish relations. They learn more about the Jewish culture and learn how to effectively and wisely commemorate Jews that had once lived in their towns. During the Summer School of Dialogue, participants visit memorial sites, attend meetings with politicians, scholars and representatives of the Jewish community. They also participate in trainings in project management and social project leadership.

Thus, they can start introducing positive changes in their hometowns, now and in the years to come. One day, we hope to have them shape Polish reality by working in their respective professions, contributing to society through non-governmental activism or through civil service. Young leaders form a group of mutual inspiration and support. At Forum for Dialogue we believe that the Summer School of Dialogue shapes our country’s future elites and their sensitivity to Polish/Jewish issues. There is no school like this one!

Contributors

Summer School of Dialogue 2015

In appreciation to the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) for supporting this educator training program. Through recovering the assets of the victims of the Holocaust, the Claims Conference enables organizations around the world to provide education about the Shoah and to preserve the memory of those who perished.

Project co-financed from the funds granted by The Pratt Foundation.

Summer School of Dialogue 2016

In appreciation to the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) for supporting this educational program. Through recovering the assets of the victims of the Holocaust, the Claims Conference enables organizations around the world to provide education about the Shoah and to preserve the memory of those who perished.

The project is supported by the U.S. Embassy in Poland.