IV of Hope in Warsaw
18 Feb 2003 - Since returning from the 3rd I.V.O.H Summit at Peace
Village, the programme here in Warsaw has changed shape and colour.
We have a group of new as well as old participants that meet regularly
every second Tuesday.
We have continued where we left off, having almost completed the design
phase, we have consolidated and concentrated on inviting special guests. One
of whom was Paul Moczyd'owski, a unique personality who in extremely
difficult situations during political changes in Poland, brought in a
remarkable change in the whole prison system. He now works for the Central
and Eastern European Prison Advisory Board.
He shared experiences, insights and challenges that he faced in the course
of his term. It all happened at the time of Solidarity, Marshall Law and the
fall of the Iron Curtain
Hearing his story, which he expressed in a riveting and dynamic way,
allowed us as observers to see a side of the prison system that for one, most
of us didn't know about and secondly helped those of us who have had little
contact with that world, a chance to begin to understand the mentality and
machinery that drove and to some extent still drives the corrective services
in Poland.
In this context and in general, he felt that the role of the Media should
be geared towards Education as his experiences left him having little regard
for their workings.
The whole event created an atmosphere of openness and tolerance and
allowed for a greater sense of understanding and appreciation of the need to
be as informed as possible. We were left in a state whereby it felt like such
conversations/meetings are invaluable, incredibly informative and beneficial.
We plan to continue in this way, inviting foreign guests who happen to be
working in Poland at the moment. We hope that their perspectives will serve
to strengthen the appreciation for differences and enrich us all. Along with
this, we also hope, at a later stage to create a public programme for the
more direct members of the media.
Halina Paradela Joseph Jarczewski
IV of Hope in Warsaw
On the 22nd of November, 2002 at the Ethnographic Museum in Warsaw, the I.V.O.H.
project and the A.I. method were introduced to a media group of about 40.
They consisted of
journalists, artists, musicians and actors. The event was hosted by Jaga Rey,
a journalist, philosopher, esoteric and vice-president of the Polish Society
of Biotherapists and friend of the B.K's. Featured speakers were Neville
Hodgkinson, the co-ordinator of the I.V.O.H. programme in the U.K., Halina
Paradela, director of the Brahma Kumaris in Poland and Joseph Jarczewski who
participated in the October seminar on the A.I. and I.V.O.H.
in Peace Village New York. Lasting four and a half hours, the event provided
background information about the project and then a summary of events that
have up to this point taken place in the U.K.
Sharing his experiences as a journalist and mediator, Neville Hodgkinson
prepared the ground for a short introduction on the A.I. method by Joseph
which led the receptive group into a conversation about the media. Following
this, feedback established a positive core of values that will later provide
the basis for extending the conversation for those that expressed an interest
in continuing the process. The group showed an openness
and willingness to be engaged in the activity and this was seen by the
unexpected extension of the event due to continued dialogue. The event was
capped by lovingly prepared food which many individuals later commented on as
well as the moments of silence led by Halina, that were interspersed
throughout the meeting.
The plan to date is to meet again in early January and establish a core
group and then seek out a few co-operative partners. A thanky ou note and
small report will be sent to
those who attended as well as a proposed date for the upcoming meeting.
Overall, the feeling was that the event was a good beginning and a success in
making contact with such a variety of professionals. Creating an interest in
the idea for the need for such a conversation was something that a few people
said they had much appreciated and were interested to know what the next step
would be.
Co-ordinators of the I.V.O.H.programme Poland
Joseph Jarczewski, Halina Paradela
|
