established in Malmö under the name “Schuman Restituta Society”

On August 2, 2024, after almost a year of preparations, the Swedish branch of the Institute of Schuman’s Thought (IMS) – the Schuman Restituta Society – was opened in Malmö. Chairman of the Program Council and Founder of IMS, prof. Zbigniew Krysiak appointed attorney Orvin Kacprzyk as president. The inaugural lectures were delivered by: prof. Zbigniew Krysiak and Anna Wiejak, editor-in-chief of Schuman Optics Magazine.

“This is an extremely important matter, because this branch was established in an community of people and organizations very active in taking care of Poland’s image, in patriotic circles. On the eve of the opening of the branch, we unveiled a commemorative plaque on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising. There were people there whose “father was an insurgent” – reported prof. Zbigniew Krysiak in an interview for Schuman Optics Magazine. He emphasized that this environment has important contacts with the Swedish media, which are very interested in Schuman’s model of Europe.

“Sweden as such is, on the one hand, in serious ideological destruction, but on the other hand there are many circles there, not only Poles or Polish diaspora, but also Swedish circles, who are afraid to raise their voices, but do not agree to these ideological and super-states actions. In this context, it should also be emphasized that there is a significant discrepancy between public opinion, which may be afraid to express its position loudly, and Swedish MEPs, who are, to a large extent – just like the MEPs of the Civic Platform in Poland – loyal to the interests of Germans and the interests of neocommunism” – the chairman of the IMS Program Council analyzed.

In his opinion, in this environment, the creation of a branch of the Institute of Schuman’s Thought will be an impulse to act, to build a front against Spinelli. It will create an important counterweight. “It should be emphasized here that Sweden as such has a very large potential for communicating in the world. It is very listened to in the world, and therefore also in Scandinavia – in Finland, in Norway – but also in Anglo-Saxon circles and in the United States. We hope that some ferment, which the Institute’s branch will be able to create, will have a strong echo in the world” – Prof. Krysiak said.

The name of this branch includes an accent: “Schuman Restituta Society”, which can be translated as the Institute Working for the Resurrection of Society in the Spirit of Schuman. “It is a very important emphasis on this word of ‘renewal’, ‘resurrection’, ‘awakening’, ‘extracting’ from people the sensitivities that are quite common, but they are not raised when it comes to Sweden due to a certain fear of a kind of repression.

It should also be emphasized that the Polish community in Sweden, the one that gathers around this IMS branch, has important relationships in the world, on various continents – in the United States, Australia, Europe, South America. In this context, we also see the possibility of wider publicity or influence, especially in Europe, to ‘resurrect’ this spirit of Schuman or to build and develop a social movement that will want to return Europe to the Schuman model, in various dimensions: social, economic, cultural, religious. It is about building a political community in the spirit of Schuman while maintaining the sovereignty of individual nations” – he explained.

As part of the opening ceremony of the branch of the Institute of Schuman Thought, the Institute’s authorities, in the person of prof. Zbigniew Krysiak presented nominations for the Management Board of the Malmö cell. This act was preceded by two lectures in which the emphasis was placed on the person and model of Robert Schuman, as well as on important aspects of the socio-political situation of the European Union and aspects of the Institute’s activities. They were delivered by prof. Zbigniew Krysiak and editor Anna Wiejak.

During the meeting, the gathered people engaged in a very lively discussion. “It showed that the ideological issues that Robert Schuman raises in his model are very vividly perceived from the perspective of the existing dissatisfaction with Spinelli’s ideology, neo-Marxist, gender and ecological ideology, which is implemented by various organizations, also in Sweden. This discussion showed that consolidating around Schuman can create a great counterbalance to reducing, if not eliminating, these very destructive trends” – Prof. Krysiak noted.

“We would like to thank the Swedish Polonia, especially the Polka International organization, for the invitation and willingness to cooperate. It is extremely important for us that we can build the structures of the Institute also outside the borders of our country. There is a lot of work, which was emphasized by the president Orvin Kacprzyk in a conversation with me. We hope for the soon fruits of this beautiful undertaking” – said Anna Wiejak, editor-in-chief of Schuman Optics Magazine.

She herself is fascinated by the name “Schuman Restituta Society”. “All of us at the Institute of Schuman’s Thought hope for the revival of Catholicism and the return of Europe to its Christian roots. This is the best  guarantee of peace and democracy. Without Christianity and its values, Europe is doomed to collapse” – she added. She emphasized that the person of Robert Schuman can be a bond connecting all nations of Europe, because for each nation his person has positive connotations. “I hope this will happen and that Europe will abandon the sick vision of the Trotskyist Spinelli” – she concluded.

Orvin Kacprzyk, President of the Swedish branch of the Institute of Schuman’s Thought:

Together with Elizabeth Blania-Kacprzyk and Marek Małachowski, we plan to revitalize the dormant practice of fact-based critical thinking – especially concerning matters of culture and civilization.

Owing to IMS’ prolific works and precepts, based on the conscientious and faithful preservation of Schuman’s thought, SRS is equipped to offer a powerful lens enabling unclouded vision. From our perspective, one that includes the virtues and beliefs upon which society is founded.

The challenge is to engage in a manner cognizant of the prevailing ethos, yet personally relevant to those who desire to be active stakeholders in shaping the future of the nation and union to which they belong.

∼

The opening of the IMS Swedish branch coincided with the unveiling of the commemorative plaque on the 80th anniversary of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising. Congratulations Swedish Polonia!

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Koalicja Polonii Amerykańskiej (Coalition of Polish Americans – CPA) apeluje do Polonii i Polaków za granicą o aktywny udział w wyborach parlamentarnych w Polsce, które odbędą się 13 pażdziernika 2019r. Wybory te będą jedną z najważniejszych politycznych decyzji Polaków w naszej najnowszej historii i właściwie rozstrzygać będą o przyszłym charakterze naszej Ojczyzny. Zbliżające się wybory parlamentarne w Polsce to wybór między:

a) obroną naszej niepodległości, wiary katolickiej, rodziny, narodu polskiego z naszą historią i dziedzictwem narodowym, albo

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POLONIA INSTITUTE ANNOUNCES RESULTS OF THE HISTORICAL ESSAY SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION

“INTERNATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE GERMAN-SOVIET INVASION OF POLAND IN SEPTEMBER 1939”

Grand Prize $5,000 sponsored by Polonia Institute:

Brian Gaydos

Second Prize $2,500 sponsored by Polonia for Poland:

Diego Velazquez Saloux

Third Prize $1,500 sponsored by individual donors – $500 each:

Daniel Gonzales

Ruslan Moldovanov

Danny Wade

Honorable Mention Award $900 sponsored by Polonia Institute – $300 each:

Jacob Ball

Eric Svoboda

Nick Treglia

Special Awards

Polish-American Award $500 sponsored by Montrose Deli, Chicago:

Elizabeth Zborek

Witness to History Award $500 sponsored by Libra Institute:

Amanda Cuevas

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL WINNERS!

Words of gratitude to all participants. The competition was very strong this year, with many of you presenting excellent essays. Don’t be discouraged if your name was not among the winners. Check our website for future opportunities.

Results in pdf:    2019 PI Essay Results

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The Honourable John Barrasso, M.D,
United States Senate, Washington, DC 20510,
United States

6th August 2019

Dear Senator Barrasso M.D,

I am contacting you in response to a letter to Secretary of State Michael R Pompeo dated the 5th August 2019 and signed by you and many of your colleagues. The subject of the letter is of particular interest to me as I am the first ever Polish born British Member of Parliament and Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Poland.

I am pleased that you raised the issue of Polish suffering in World War II, as this is a topic that is often overlooked. By 1945 an estimated 3 million Polish Jews and 1.9 million non-Jewish Polish citizens had been murdered. In addition, in Warsaw 72 per cent of buildings, and 90 per cent of the cultural history, was destroyed. In 1939, 38 per cent of all Poland’s wealth was stolen and some estimates have put the total cost of damage done to be as high as $1 trillion.

The issue of war reparations is one that is personal to me given that my family suffered during the horrific events of World War II. Most notably my great uncle and his family hid a number of Jewish families on his farm from the German occupiers, unfortunately, they were discovered and their farm was surrounded.

My great uncle returned to the farm and his neighbours warned him to stay away; he refused to leave his wife and daughter behind and instead went to the farm. Upon arriving, the Germans made him remove his officer’s boots, dig his own grave and then watch as they shot his 13- year-old daughter, then his wife before finally killing him.

What is less known today is that, under Nazi occupation, Poland was the only country where you could receive the death penalty simply for helping a Jewish family. My great uncle and his family knew that and still they took the risk because they knew that it was the right thing to do.

Given my family’s sacrifices, I feel passionately that all victims of World War II should be adequately compensated. To this end I would like to ask that you, and your colleagues, join my campaign to ask that Germany pay proper war reparations to Poland. This would allow us to right not one, but two historical wrongs by ensuring that Germany properly compensates Poland for the years of misery inflicted upon her and that victims of the Holocaust that are still alive can be properly reimbursed.

Yours sincerely

Daniel Kawczynski
Member of Parliament for Shrewsbury and Atcham

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Washington, DC

November 18-20, 2019

Brochure Poland First to Fight

more info:

https://ipoland.org/

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Polonia Institute

2785 Pacific Coast Highway, #295

Torrance, CA 90505

info@poloniainstitute.net

For Immediate Release — January 24, 2019

WWII Historical Essay Scholarship – $5,000 First Prize

TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA: POLONIA INSTITUTUE announces 2019 Historical Essay Scholarship Competition for young adults between ages 18 and 30 on the worldwide significance of the 1939 German-Soviet invasion of Poland.

With the 80^th anniversary of World War II approaching, Polonia Institute wants to encourage the study of events leading up to the September 1939 outbreak of the deadliest war in human history, its consequences for Poland, Europe and the world. This horrible war waged on humanity by the dictator of Germany Adolf Hitler and the dictator of the Soviet Union Joseph Stalin claimed the lives of approximately 70 million people worldwide. After the war, the map of Europe was redrawn. Poland lost one-third of its territory and was subjugated to the Soviet Union for the next 45 years. Millions of Poles were forced to leave their homeland never to come back.

As a result of World War II, Poland lost close to 12 million of its inhabitants. Approximately 6 million were murdered by the German Third Reich and the Soviet Union, the highest percentage of the population of all nations.

Germany built a network of concentration camps on the conquered Polish territory with the intention to exterminate the Polish resistance movement. Ethnic Poles were the primary target of German extermination policy in the years 1939-1941. In the subsequent years 1942-1943 Polish citizens of Jewish origin became the primary target. Today Poland once again faces anti-Polish propaganda warfare that distorts historical facts by calling German death camps in which ethnic Poles were murdered as “Polish concentration camps” and accusing Poland of co-responsibility for the murder of Jews.

This competition is sponsored by Polonia Institute in cooperation with Polonia for Poland and other Polonia organizations.

2019 Historical Essay Competition – Info

2019 Historical Essay Competition – Entry

For more information send email to:

info@poloniainstitute.net

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Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to thank dr. Jabłoński and the Halecki Institute for inviting me to the 2^nd Oskar Halecki Symposium dealing with Polish Canadians’ Contribution to Canada: Commemorating Canada’s 150^th Anniversary.

I came from distant California and I bring best wishes and greetings from the Polonia Institute, which I have the honor to lead as the Chairman of the Board of Directors. Additional advantage I take from the fact that I left Poland more than 40 years ago, coming to this country, to Canada. Here I found home, refuge, and political freedom. I got married, had children, born in Toronto and in Ottawa. I bought my first house here as well. I was met with friendship, compassion, and understanding here. I look around and I find familiar faces of people I know since the time I lived in this town. I thank you once again for inviting me to this prestigious event.

Not very far from this place I met with Mr. Korwin-Łopuszański and the others, when we established the Committee of Captive Nations. Here I was elected to the Executive Board of the Canadian Polish Congress to chair the Polish Agenda Commission.

When I came to Toronto I was welcomed by the former ex-combatants of Polish 1^st Armored Division that landed on Juno Beach in Normandy as part of 1^st Canadian Armored Army and fought so bravely in the victorious Battle of Normandy. I’ve been to Montormel, where Bretonians established a beautiful museum to commemorate, as they say, “those brave Poles”. As per a decision by general Bradley, general Maczek countersigned the unconditional capitulation of German 7^th Panzer Army of feldmarshal von Kluge.

I was welcomed warmly by the Polish Canadians since my grandfather was also an ex-combatant of the 10^th Armored Cavalry Brigade in the 1939 campaign, and 1^st Grenadier Division in first French campaign, under the command of Stanisław Maczek. His comrades-in-arms wanted to have me involved with the many Polonia activities. Mr. Gertler and Mr. Kaszuba invited me to the Board of Directors of CPC (KPK). Monsignor Pluta, delegate to Canada of the Polish Government-in-Exile, asked me to help with organization and the first elections to the Polish National Assembly in Exile. I became the Vice Chairman of this political assembly.

After the 1980 strikes in Poland we created an enormous help effort, by sending literally thousands of containers of help to our brethren in Poland.

At this point I want to emphasize the fact that people that came from Poland as well as those born in Canada, or United Kingdom worked together. I recall Michael Wilson (Canadian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance) as an inspiration to establish Polish-Canadian Action Group. PCAG played a very important role in those troubled years. I remember dr. Marek Celinski, Andrew Piekarski, Les Prusinski and many others.

At the same time we maintained a close relationship with the US Polonia. Profesor Zbigniew Brzezinski inspired us to commemorate the invasion of Czechoslovakia (in August 1968), and we started the Black Ribbon Day, here in Ottawa. We maintained the links of communication with Pomost Group (Mr. Stejszczyk) and Polish American Congress (Łukomski, Mażewski).

It takes a team to make a dream. We understood that we must act together. This approach not only strengthened our organizations, but it also improved our relationship with Canadian politicians. We were consulted by the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition, ministers of government. We all contributed and participated in unveiling of the Katyń Monument in Toronto. This was the first monument in the world, first in a public place.

Participation in Polonia Jutra was also a very important occasion for all of us. We saw great value in the united efforts of all the members of Polish Diaspora spread throughout the Globe.

When Ronald Reagan became the US President and Jane Fonda demonstrated with thousands in front of Toronto city hall, we organized a counter demonstration, which brought a lot of media attention. Even Mr. Reagan commented on this issue.

Some of us joined the North American Study of Polish Affairs, lead by Professor Andrzej Ehrenkreutz of the University of Michigan. This phenomenal group published a number of analyses and papers on issues important for Poland.

As described now, Polonia, especially Canadian Polonia, contributed a lot to Poland and for our community in Canada. We were ready to share our experience and expertise with our brethren in Poland. Unfortunately in early 1990’s both the Polish National Assembly in Exile and North American Study were discontinued, dissolved.

In order to fulfill the gap, we created in California the Polish-American Foundation for Economic Research and Education (PAFERE) with a goal to promote the free market economy in Poland. We spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to organize educational conferences in Poland, we brought speakers to Poland, we published many books in Poland. We even developed the educational materials and the books at different levels in order to help Poland, help Polish educators, students, entrepreneurs, and the economy in general. Eleven years ago we established our daughter–foundation, domiciled in Warsaw.

We still thought that the emptiness after cessation of the Study and the Assembly must be fulfilled. The former members of both distinguished organizations decided to establish a new entity, the Polonia Institute.

I invite you to visit our website, www.poloniainstitute.net. We are divided into subject groups. I happen to lead the National Security Policy group. Our decision to create the Institute was inspired by the actions of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. We knew that Poland may be next. Therefore, we convinced the Polish American Congress to adopt a resolution requiring immediate action to influence the US President to send troops to Poland. In October 2014 it became a reality, our resolution was hand delivered to the White House. We prepared several analyses on Russia’s war doctrine. These were well received as well. We participated in war games in Washington, and in 2016 Warsaw NATO Summit.

History is a teacher of life, as the Romans used to say – Historia Vitae Magistra Est. Yes, when we act together we accomplish a lot. We need to put aside our minor differences and act in the areas close to all of us. I have heard that you have created some youth organizations, like the mentioned Polish Canadian Young Professionals (have I said it right?). Like I was encouraged by the WWII veterans to join SPK and CPC, you must have them harbored into your traditional organizations as well.

The time is high to act together. The enormous importance of president Trump’s visit to Poland and the possible impact of his phenomenal speech must work for us. The Intermarium, as precisely defined this morning by dr. Chodakiewicz must become a reality. The Russian Federation is a threat to world peace, and the Russo-German grip is aiming against our Poland. The building of alliance between countries in the region defined by the Baltic, Adriatic, and Black seas is a simple necessity. It may become a stabilizer of peace and prosperity in Europe, torn by the waves of Muslim migrants.

All nations of the region are looking for Polish leadership, and we, Polonia, must take initiative to sustain the efforts of building broad support, push our governments, and educate our societies. As we did forty years ago, we need to establish multi ethnic support committees. Our politicians must heed our voices, our opinions.

Let us act together: it takes a team to make a dream!

Thank you!

Chis M. Zawitkowski

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i3-5oZtWZA

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During the May 2 Polonia Day Celebration, Poland’s President Andrzej Duda signed his first legislative initiative which supports the education of Polish children residing outside of Poland.

The Bill proposes “an amendment to existing regulations which will give students a discount fare on public transportation and other regulations.” It is the first bill with respect to Polonia submitted to the Polish Parliament (Sejm) by the President.

Discounts will be given to Polish youth attending schools abroad similar to student discounts for public rail and bus transportation, entrance fees to museums and national parks currently granted to children attending schools in Poland.  The current document which gives student discounts in Poland is a student ID card issued by schools operating in Poland or by schools associated with Polish diplomatic missions. When students attending schools abroad come to Poland they are not eligible for any discounts.

The proposed Bill calls for issuance of Polish school ID cards to students of schools conducted by the Polonia educational organizations, parent associations, Polish parishes and Polish sections of international schools registered with the Center for the Development of Polish Education Abroad, therefore granting them discounts to fares on public transportation and admissions to museums and national parks in Poland. Discounted fares on public transportation will also apply to teachers of these schools.

The aim of the proposed amendment is to reward students who make an effort to acquire knowledge about the homeland of their ancestors. Making Polish children abroad eligible for student ID cards and granting them student discounts in Poland serves as a tangible sign confirming their educational and patriotic bonds with Poland.

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President Duda expresses his gratitude to Worldwide Polonia

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Compatriots!

Today we celebrate: “Day of Polonia and Poles Abroad” which was established in 2002. We honor and recognize the contributions of Polonia and Poles Abroad during Poland’s quest to regain its independence. We honor and recognize Polonia and Poles Abroad’s achievements, attachments to Polish culture, and assistance to our Homeland in her most difficult moments.

As the President of Poland I accompany you in this joyful celebration. I extend my heartfelt thanks to you, my compatriots living abroad for your commitment to nurturing patriotism, and preserving the memory of our Polish history, culture and traditions. Thank you for educating Polish youth in the spirit of Christian and European values, and ensuring that the beauty of our Polish Homeland is embraced in their hearts.

On this Day of Polonia and Poles Abroad occasion I wish you my dear countrymen that our common ties become ever stronger and that our love for Poland is passed on to future generations.

I wish you all good luck, health and happiness!

Andrzej Duda
President of Poland

from: http://www.prezydent.pl/aktualnosci/wypowiedzi-prezydenta-rp/inne/art,157,zyczenia-od-prezydenta-rp-dla-polonii-i-polakow-mieszkajacych-za-granica.html

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