Krzyżowa Foundation of Mutual Understanding

Mission

The aim of Krzyżowa is supporting peaceful and tolerant existence of nations, social groups and individuals in Europe. In order to do this we bring together people from many nations so that they may talk and share their views of the world. Krzyżowa bursts with life thanks to the diversity of the people who meet here, bringing their ideas to others and learning from the actions of new friends and partners that they meet in this area. The Krzyżowa Foundation for Mutual Understanding in Europe takes the idea of varied people meeting one another as the basis for the development and support of civil society in Europe.

Our Work

The Foundation builds bridges between the past and the present, between Western and Eastern Europe, and promotes dialogue between generations. Krzyżowa is a place of active communication, and develop different perspectives for everyone so that they may create a brighter future. We believe that the best way to live in the present and plan for the future lies in taking personal responsibility for political, social and ecologically balanced development of European societies.

As the groups meeting here remember the resistance and opposition movements in Europe, they are encouraged in academic and educational discourse. These achievements can be passed on to next generations, emphasizing the importance of responsible, individual action.

We bring about inter-cultural meetings of people from all walks of life, from every social, national and religious background, and from the different generations. In our work diversity of cultures is a real asset, and the most important part of what is brought to the table here at Krzyżowa. Personal experience, together with respect for differences and an eagerness to learn and share with one another, unites and fosters interest in the European Community.

We feel attached to Lower Silesia, and our work concentrates on this region. However, our actions go beyond Krzyżowa. We build an international network of people and institutions, we carry out joint projects. In economical, social and political actions the people who have come to Krzyżowa keep social responsibility in mind.

Our Basis

The Krzyżowa Foundation has its seat on the premises of the former residence of James von Moltke’s family. In Nazi times, a resistance group ‘The Kreisau Circle’ operated here. In opposition to the dictatorship, risking their own lives, the members of the group planned a democratic and peaceful Germany that would be integrated with the rest of Europe.

The Krzyżowa Foundation is based upon this tradition and the ideas of the resistance movement; its non-conformism and moral courage. We relate to the experience of opposition against dictatorships in Central and Eastern Europe. The forerunners of the Foundation, West and East Germans, Poles, Americans and the Dutch, wanted to make this place centre of European understanding.

When the Berlin Wall fell, a Polish-German Mass of Reconciliation was celebrated in Krzyżowa. The governments of Poland and Germany welcomed the initiative to create a meeting place here. Now we continue the work which was started here by the Kreisau Circle: bringing together people of varying backgrounds and political ideas to speak with one another and plan for a greater future. We are aware of the historic importance of Krzyżowa as a place of resistance and reconciliation, and of the obligations arising from this.

Our Culture

The Foundation is based on partner relationships of people from many countries who are involved professionally or voluntarily. Our most important resource is the involvement of our collaborators. We aim at clear communication and transparency when taking decisions. The management’s task is to motivate the collaborators and to focus our activity on defining and achieving goals.

The Foundation's approach to conflicts and mistakes is simple. Bring together many people to look at the problem and then share all the ideas for fixing it. The assessment and evaluation will bring about the solution,and the tanible result that we will see for generations to come.