Southwell House Youth Project

Details of programme about Auschwitz for adults.

‘Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it’   (George Santayana)

This is a programme held mainly in a residential centre in Auschwitz in Poland for adults who work with young people in any capacity (teachers, catechists, youth workers, social workers, etc.).

Inspired by the sentence by George Santayana ‘Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it’, we are organising a programme covering issues of tolerance, acceptance, indifference, discrimination, prejudices, ‘banality of evil’ and meaning of individuals’ freedom and responsibilities.

The Museum of Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp is not just a monument to horror, and not only the world's biggest cemetery, but is also an educational place that can be used to build a new understanding of civil societies and the role of individuals in them. From our own experience we know that the place itself offers great opportunities to reflect on the current social and political events; that it challenges and questions visitors; that it offers a space to evaluate their values and understanding of the world. It is a place that can, like no other place, empower and stimulate a very positive change.

We would like to invite fifteen participants to take part in our programme. The programme will be happening on 21st-24th July 2008 at Southwell House Youth Project, London and The International Youth Meeting Centre in Oswiecim, Poland.

The programme will start in the afternoon with a general welcome and introduction session, and meeting with an Auschwitz survivor as a part of a preparation for an upcoming experience. The preparation process will be continued after supper. We will fly to Poland the next morning, have some time to settle in and then the afternoon will be dedicated to visiting Auschwitz Museum. The next day we will visit Birkenau Museum. Wednesday afternoon will be spent on a reflection upon the experiences of the previous few days. On the last day we will go to Krakow, one of the cultural capitals of Europe, so the participants will have the opportunity to experience Polish culture and deepen their understanding of the country they will be visiting. We will fly back to London that evening.

The cost of participation in the programme will be about £350.00 per person. The cost includes flights to and from Poland, boarding and accommodation in single bedrooms, local travel, insurance costs and visiting the Museums. We are open to re-negotiate the cost of participation with people coming from the voluntary sector.

Because of the nature of the programme and the fact that the flight tickets have to be booked in advance to ensure the best price we would like to finish the process of recruiting the participants by 29th May 2008. We will accept the participants on a first come first served basis so if you are interested in the programme, please contact me as soon as possible to reserve a place.  Please note that to secure reasonably priced air flights there will be a surcharge on anyone who has not paid a 50% deposit by May 29th 2008.

If you have any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to contact me on 0207 435 8534 or paulina.sekrecka@southwellhouse.com

Paulina Sekrecka

Southwell House Youth Project
39 Fitzjohn's Avenue
LONDON
NW3 5JT
020 7435 8534
paulina.sekrecka@southwellhouse.com

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