Poland meets Holland

 Holland meets Poland. Exploring history for better understanding project is a Polish-Dutch exchange that took place in Kraków, 6-13 June 2009. 36 people were involved in the enterprise. The  principal aim of the project was integration of both groups. By means of collective work and play, the participants tried to learn how to accept the otherness and better understand one another.

The core of the project was to activate  young people from both countries. It was possible thanks to the adopted work methods, namely: workshops, discussion panels, educational games and plays as well as visiting sights of great historical significance.

The aims of the project mainly concerned: 

1. The acquaintance with a different culture
     a. One of the main aims of the undertaking was to change the deformed image of Poland, a country which has a big influence on the contemporary Europe and which has been a member of the European Union since five years, among Dutch young people.
     b. It is also important that Polish people should get to know the culture of their partners. It was possible by making young people active on the European level thanks to the participation in the exchange and some specially prepared group activities which let improve the knowledge of their European partners.

2. The acquaintance with the history and the understanding of a different point of view

     a. Looking at the history and the contemporary model of Europe and its societies in a way as Polish people do, would be very helpful for foreigners to understand a different point of view as well as some differences in the culture.

     b. At the same time Polish students would have an opportunity of looking at the history of their country in a way as Dutch people do. It would inspire them to new interpretations and let them understand another context of Dutch society and its history.

For more information you can go to the Project's website.