Intercultural dialogue is not an priority of cultural policies in Poland. There are no specific state programmes to support trans-national intercultural dialogue. Some of the activities in this field are covered by the Euroregions. In Poland, there are 16 Euroregions. These are:
- Nysa (1991, Czech Republic, Germany and Poland);
- Sprewa-Nysa-Bóbr (1993, Poland and Germany);
- Pro Europa Viadrina (1993, Poland and Germany);
- Pomerania (1995, Poland, Germany, Sweden);
- Niemen (1997 , Poland, Lithuania, Belarus);
- Glacensis (1996, Czech Republic, Poland);
- Karpacki (1993, Poland, Ukraine, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania);
- Tatry (1994, Poland, Slovakia);
- Bug (1995, Poland, Ukraine);
- Pradziad (1997, Poland, Czech Republic);
- Bałtyk (1998, Poland, Lithuania, Sweden);
- Śląsk cieszyński (1998, Poland and Czech Republic);
- Silesia (1998, Poland and Czech Republic);
- Beskidy (2000, Poland, Slovakia and Czech Republic);
- Puszcza Białowieska (2002, Poland and Belarus);
- Łyna-Ława (2003, Poland and Russia).
The activities in the scope of trans-national intercultural dialogue on the local level are partially covered by the Town-twinning programmes and municipality networks such as Eurocities or BaltMet.
Unfortunately, there are no data available on initiatives taken by NGO’s in the field of intercultural dialogue. However, this does not mean that such actions are missing. Various grant programmes are available to support cooperation with other countries (e.g. grants from the Polish-American Freedom Foundation or the Foundation for Polish-German Cooperation) and events promoting their culture. There are also events to support the social integration of migrants and festivals held to promote minority culture (e.g. Festival of Jewish Culture in Warsaw – “Singer’s Warsaw”).
Wrocław, a city with poviat status, was the only one to introduce the Strategy for Intercultural Dialogue (2018-2022). The planned results of the implementation of this programme relate to the following areas:
- Education – increasing the level of knowledge and strengthening intercultural competences;
- Integration – building a sense of social belonging;
- Security – strengthening the safety of residents;
- Cooperation and communication – creation of cooperation platforms and strengthening of the communication process.
The following is stated in the introduction of the strategy: “The Wrocław Strategy for Intercultural Dialogue for 2018-2022 is a response to the emerging new challenges and social needs resulting from the increasing participation of foreigners in the socio-economic life of Wrocław. Various dimensions of community life create a network of mutual relations between the inhabitants of Wrocław and the migrants who live in Wrocław The experience of multiculturalism can be a new experience for both Wrocław citizens and foreigners. That is why it is so important to create conditions for building new ties, increasing intercultural competences, which are necessary for mutual understanding, coexistence and cooperation. Accepting and appreciating the values that other cultures bring to the life of the community is closely related to knowing and understanding one’s own cultural identity. ”
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