The main objectives of the seminar are:
- refresh the ideas and values that have stood (and hopefully proceed to stand) for regular hard work for the social integration of ethnic/national minorities/immigrants/persons seeking global protection/refugees;
- supporting the implementation of projects and providing capacity building to social organisations that carry out projects supported by the Active Citizens Programme in Lithuania and Poland;
- a review of the current socio-political challenges for civilian society and intercultural dialog in Lithuania and Poland in times of division and ethnocentric authoritarian tendencies;
- conference on possible short- and long-term solutions and bottom-up initiatives, which can be undertaken jointly by Belarusian, Lithuanian and Polish practitioners/craftsmen building bridges.
Who are we inviting?
The seminar is organized for Lithuanian and Polish civilian society organisations – Granters of projects co-financed by the Active Citizens Programme – National Fund and their partners – dealing with ethnic/national minorities/immigrants/persons seeking global protection/refugees, integration/instrument and intercultural dialogue. We besides want the participation of those who operate locally (areas outside large urban centres) and direct their activities to the Belarusians/eks and all those presently seeking global protection.
A full of 30 seats are provided for participants from Lithuania and Poland – up to 2 seats for persons representing 1 organisation. NOTE: The seminar place is tailored to the needs of people with disabilities.
How are we gonna work?
The working languages will be Lithuanian and Polish with the support of translators (in order to invitation besides people who are not necessarily fluent in English and/or who have experience in participating in global events).
Tools that will be utilized during the seminar (if possible interactive and participatory): critical discussions, inspiring lectures, creative workshops in close proximity to nature and the vital socio-cultural heritage of the Polish-Lithuanian border with the usage of resources and know-how of the Borderland Foundation team. Days: 2 and 6 October are scheduled to arrive/return from the seminar, and 3-5 October for substantive work.
Organizers The seminar is: Open Society Foundation in Lithuania (Active Citizens Operator in Lithuania and Stefan Batory Foundation (operator of the Active Citizens – National Fund in Poland). The seminar is simply a joint initiative of Lithuanian and Polish programme operators as part of their Regional civilian Initiative Plans.
Host The seminar is simply a Centre for the Borderlands of Arts, Cultures and Nations, led by the Borderlands Foundation in Krasnogruda. More about the host: http://pogranicze.sejny.pl/
The organisers supply accommodation, board and reimbursement of travel expenses for all participants. The seminar is financed by the Active Citizens programme in Lithuania and Poland.
The deadline for submission of applications shall expire. 12 September 2021. The recruitment results will be announced by September 17.
Application form for Polish social organizations HERE.
NOTE: in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, we offer the COVID-19 test refund for all participants/waits before the seminar. More information will be sent to recruited people.
If you have any questions or commentators, delight contact the seminar organizers:
Lithuanian: Sandra Adomavičiūtė: [email protected]
from Polish side: Anna Fedas: [email protected]
Seminar program:
| theme: | arrival and welcome | working with local identities | custom solutions to complex problems | work with the local community and resilience/resilience | Goodbye and departure |
| 8:00-9:00 | breakfast together | breakfast together | breakfast together | breakfast together | |
| 9:00-13:00 | travel to Sejn, walk and workshop with Bożena Schroeder, co-creator and founder of the Centre “Boundaries – Arts, Cultures, Nations” | transfer to Maciekowa Rudy | workshops with the Borders Foundation squad on various methods of working with the local community | departure of participants/checks | |
| tour of the gallery and workshops of Andrzej Strumiliła | |||||
| arrival of participants/checks to Krasnogruda, accommodation | discussion on art as a tool in intercultural dialogue | ||||
| 13:00-14:00 | dinner at a Lithuanian restaurant in Sejny | dinner at the Pokamedulski Monastery in Wigrach | dinner in Krasnogruda | ||
| 14:00-16:00 | presentation of the activities of the organisations participating in the journey | crossing to Krasnogrudy | workshop planning of further cooperation | ||
| mapping of challenges/problems | workshop on looking for solutions to complex problems with the usage of forum theatre | ||||
| 16:00-18:00 | welcome and common learning | Meeting at the White Synagogue | resistance/resolution workshop | ||
| lecture by Krzysztof Czyżewski on the joint search for local identities | |||||
| 18:00-19:00 | workshops | Watch the performance “Sejne Kroniki” | presentation of global activities of the Border and Coast Foundation | ||
| welcome performance of the Klezmer Orchestra of the Sejne Theatre | meeting with Ruslan Kulewicz - Belarusian author and writer at exile | ||||
| 19:00-21:00 | dinner at the cafe “Song of China” in Krasnogruda | travel to Krasnogruda and dinner together and summary of the day | dinner and summary of the day | dinner and summary of the full trip |
Photo: Resources of the Border Foundation
