Activities

The invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation is a criminal attack on the foundations of peaceful coexistence in Europe. We condemn it without ifs and buts.

In recent years, we have been able to experience time and again in our cooperation with our partners in Ukraine and Russia how much they strive for peace and reconciliation. These testimonies are an important inspiration for our work and give us hope for the future. Today, however, we must first defend independent Ukraine and stop the war. We therefore declare our solidarity with Ukraine and all people in Russia who oppose the criminal actions of the Putin regime.

 

2023

A contribution to dialogue and a culture of listening and solidarity, 13. – 19. July 2023

• Idea of the workshop
  
• Programm
  
• Participants 

„5th International SummerCamp in the Former Communist Prison of Spac“ in Albanien, August, 26. – 31., 2023

• Aim of the SummerCamp
• Program
• Participants
• Photos

14th European Workshop on dealing with the past of Auschwitz burdened by violence. Invitation to Extend Perspectives in Oswiecim / Poland, August, 11. - 16, 2023

• Program
• List of participants
• Reports
• Photos

9th International Workshop on "Dealing with the Past of Auschwitz burdened by violence" for Professional Officers in Oswiecim / Poland, March, 06. – 10., 2023

• Program
• List of participants
• Photos

2022

13th European Workshop on dealing with the past of Auschwitz burdened by violence. Invitation to Extend Perspectives in Oswiecim / Poland, August, 11th - 16th, 2022

• Program
• List of participants
• Report - Dr. Gints Apals ( Latvia ): „The impact of World War II and foreign occupation on Latvia´s population: human losses“ (in engl.)
• Report - Inna Saulova ( Moldavia ): „The activities oft he Transfiguration Fraternity fort he preservation of historical memory. The experience oft he entire Fraternity and ist particularities in 2021“ (in engl.)
• Report – Bishop Dr. Joseph-Marie Ndi-Okalla ( Kamerun ): „Selected topics and issues regarding the role of the church dealing with a past burdened by violence“ (in engl.)
• Impressions from the workshop (Giedre Guzviciene and Liveta Sikarskaite)
• Photos
• Photos Katarzyna Kowalska: „Impressions from the workshop“

 

3. – 9. July 2022 „International Workshop on German experiences made when dealing with a past burdened by violence“ in Berlin

• Aim of the Workshop
• Program
• Participants
• Photos

 

2021

4th International SummerCamp „Dealing with the aftermath of Communism. Learning for the future of Europe”
in Spac/ Albania, August 27th - September 01st, 2021

• Program (*.pdf)
• List of participants (*.pdf)
• Report: 3. SummerCamp in Spac/Albania - Narrative report by Luigj Mila (*.pdf)
• Photos

 

„12th European Workshop on dealing with the past of Auschwitz burdened by violence. Invitation to Extend Perspectives"
in Oswiecim / Poland, August, 11th - 16th, 2021

• Program (*.pdf)
• List of participants (*.pdf)
• Report – Prof. Dr. Romeo Gurakuqi (Albania): „Albania in the Second World War and in the first years of the establishment of the communists in power. Treatment of Jews in Albania before and during World War II“ (*.pdf, in engl.)
• Report – Lolita Tomsone (Latvia): „zanis Lipke – Life and Muzeum in Latvia“ (*.pdf, in engl.)
• My Auschwitz Diary 2021 – Maria Antonietta manna (Italy) (*.pdf, in ital.)
• My Auschwitz Diary 2021 – Maria Antonietta manna (Italy) (*.pdf, in engl.)
• Report - Joanna-Yana Kalnina (Latvia): „Remembering World War II and Its Meaning for Today’s Youth in Russia and Latvia” (*.pdf)
• Photos

 

2020

CANCELED
3rd. International SummerCamp, „Dealing with the aftermath of Communism. Learning for the future of Europe”, in Spac/ Albania, August 31st - September 04th, 2020

 

11th European Workshop on dealing with the past of Auschwitz burdened by violence. Invitation to Extend Perspectives "in Oswiecim / Poland, 11th - 16th August 2020

• Program (*.pdf)
• List of participants (*.pdf)
• Report - Dr. Cecile Dubernet: "Auschwitz - A french perspective", (*.pdf)
• Photos

Video zum 11. Europäischen Workshop: "Faces", Autor Pawel Keska

 

3rd. International Forum „Overcoming Violence and Contributing to a Culture of Dialogue: Learning on Central-Eastern European Experiences” in Lviv/Ukraine, May, 25th - 30th, 2020

• Programm
• List of participants
• Reports
• Photos

Project of the Belene Island Foundation / Bulgaria with the support of organizations
from Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Albania and the Maximilian-Kolbe-Foundation from Germany

REMEMBER: REsearch and Music CommEMorating the Victims of Totalitarian Regimes in Bulgaria and Eastern EuRope

February 2020 - music competition, May 14-16, 2020 - International conference in Sofia and Belene

• Remember Project (*.pdf)
  
• Remember Music Contest (*.pdf)
  

 

CANCELED
9th International Workshop on "Dealing with the Past of Auschwitz burdened by violence" for Professional Officers in Oswiecim / Poland, 23rd - 27th March 2020

• Program (*.pdf)
  
• List of participants
• Photos

2019

"Commitment to democracy, tolerance and human dignity against anti-Semitism, hatred and right-wing extremism", Joint Workshop of MKS and MKW in the Episcopal Academy / Bishop Hemmerle House Aachen, 15 - 17 November 2019

• Info Flyer to the workshop (german, *.pdf)
• Program (german, *.pdf)

MKS Studientag und Stiftungsratssitzung in Kreisau / Polen am 11. - 13. November 2019

• Program - Studyday in Kreisau (*.pdf)

2nd International Summer Camp in Albania, "Dealing with the consequences of communism. Learning for the Future of Europe ", in Spac, August 23 - 28, 2019

• Information for participants (*.pdf) 
  
• Program (*.pdf)
  
• Photos
  

10th European Workshop on dealing with the past of Auschwitz burdened by violence. Invitation to Extend Perspectives "in Oswiecim / Poland, 11th - 16th August 2019

• Program (*.pdf)
  
• Report - Dr. Olev Liivik, Estonian Institute of Historical Memory: "World War II and Auschwitz as it is remembered in Estonis" (in engl., *.pdf)
• Report - Marta Titaniec, Polish Council forJewish-Christian-Relations: "the polish perspective on Auschwitz" (in poln., *.pdf)
• Sviatoslav Chryuk: "World War II and Auschwitz in Ukrainian memory politic" (in engl., *.pdf), Powerpoint
• Participants (*.pdf) 
  
• Photos
  

 

2nd International Forum "Overcoming Violence and Contributing to a Culture of Dialogue: Learning from Central European Experiences" Lviv / Ukraine, May 20 - 25, 2019

• Program (*.pdf)
  
• Photos
  

 

8th International Workshop on "Dealing with the Past of Auschwitz burdened by violence" for Professional Officers in Oswiecim / Poland, 01. - 05. April 2019

 

• Program (*.pdf)
  
• List of participants (*.pdf)
  
• Photos
  

 

2018

7th International Workshop on "Dealing with the Past of Auschwitz burdened by violence" for Professional Officers

in Oswiecim / Poland, 26-30 November 2018

• Program (*.pdf)
• List of participants (*.pdf)
• Report Dr Sara Berger( Researcher at Fondazione Museo della Shoah, Rome/ Italy ): "Becoming an offender - being an offender. Experiences with stories of offenders. (in german, *.pdf), PPT-Lecture (*.pdf)
• Report Dr Sebastioan Trautmann ( Dipl.- Psych., Tehnical University of Dresden ): "The lasting impact of traumatisation" (in engl., *.pdf )
• Photos

 

"Intergenerational dialogue as learning from and for one's own history"
Joint workshop of MKS and MKW in Berlin, 21 - 23 September 2018


Photo: Stefan Querl

Venue: Protestant Johannesstift Hotel Christophoros, Schönwalder Allee 26, 13587 Berlin.

Further information on the conference venue can be found at www.evangelisches-johannesstift.de.

Please register for the conference under www.maximilian-kolbe-werk.de.

• Info sheet for the event (*.pdf)
• Photos

 

International summer camp "Dealing with the aftermath of Communism. Learning for the future of Europe"

in Spac/ Albania, 27th - 31st August 2018

• Mission (*.pdf)
• Program (*.pdf)
• Participants (*.pdf)
• Summary of Summercamp - Archbishop Dr. Ludwig Schick: "Church - Instrument of Reconciliation and Peace for the Kingdom of God" (*.pdf)
• Contribution Deutsche Welle
• Photos

9th European Workshop on “Dealing with the Past of Auschwitz burdened by violence. Invitation to Extend Perspectives"

in Oswiecim / Poland, 11th - 16th August 2018

• Program (*.pdf)
• Participants (*.pdf)
• Reports - Tomasz Erzar, PhD, Ass. Professor, Faculty of Theology, University of Ljubljana: "The victim role and other less emotional consequences of the Second World War victimization and the process of forgiveness" (en, *.pdf)
• Reports - Marta Titaniec - The Polish perspectives (en, *.pdf)
  
• Reports - Emanuel John - "The future of memory of World War II in Germany - Ethical challenge and burden." (en, *.pdf)
  
• Reports - Victor Scheffers: "Auschwitz never again. Remembering World War II and the Holocaust in The Netherlands" (en, *.pdf)
  
• Photos

International workshop on German Experiences in dealing with Violent Pasts

In cooperation with Justitia et Pax Germany, AGEH and MKS, 26th June - 2nd July 2018 in Berlin

 

• Program (*.pdf)
• List of participants (*.pdf)
• Lecture: Prof. em. Dr. Heinz-Günther Stobbe: "Theses on the role of the Church in dealing with violence-laden history" (de, *.pdf)
• Lecture: Prof. em. Dr. Heinz-Günther Stobbe: "Hypotheses on the Role of the Church dealing with violent history" (en, *.pdf)
• Lecture: Prof. em. Dr. Karl-Joseph Hummel: "Martyrs: Compulsory Remembrance for a Reconciled Future" (de, *.pdf)
• Lecture: Prof. em. Dr. Karl-Joseph Hummel: "Martyrs: Remembrance, the sine qua non for a reconciled future" (en, *.pdf)
• Photos

I. International Forum "Overcoming Violence and Contributing to a Culture of Dialogue: Learning on Central-Eastern European Experiences"

in Lviv / Ukraine, June 6 - 10, 2018

Father Dr. Manfred Desealers, Prof Dr Myroslav Marynovych

conference

The forum is organized by Ukrainian Greek Catholic University, Maximilian Kolbe Foundation and Wiez. The financial support comes from Renovabis.

• Program (*.pdf)
• Photos

Exhibition "Pojednanie / reconciliation in Progress" at the end of the Pentecostal Action 2018 Renovabis

in the diocese of Erfurt, 15 to 25 May 2018
Venue: Youth and adult education center Marcel Callo
Lindenallee 21, 37308 Heilbad Heiligenstadt
For further information please contact: Dr. med. Annegret Beck, Tel .: 03606/667 412

To complete the Pentecostal Action 2018 Renovabis you may visit ( www.renovabis.de ) or contact Simon Korbella, Tel .: 08161- 5309-14, Department of Communications and cooperation in Renovabis.

 

4th European Workshop on “Dealing with the violence burdened past in  Bosnia & Herzegovina”. A contribution to dialogue and a culture of listening and solidarity,

in Sarajevo/ BiH, April 22 – 27, 2018

View of Sarajevo

• Program (*.pdf)
• Participants (*.pdf)
• Photos
• Conclusion from the European Workshop
• Video to the workshop of TV station Aljazeera in Bosnia

 

Exhibition "Pojednanie / Reconciliation in Progress" at the opening of Pentecost action of Renovabis

in the diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart, April 20. – 23., 2018

The exhibition can be seen at the St. Nikolaus Church in Friedrichshafen on Lake Constance. Further information on the Opening Pentecostal Action 2018 from Renovabis can be found at www.renovabis.de.
Information about the exhibition venue can be found at www.katholisch-friedrichshafen.de/stnikolaus

 

Exhibition "Pojednanie / Reconciliation in Progress"

in Dresden, April 03. - 06., 2018
Further information about the exhibition can be found at www.nd-netz.de/dresden.

• Press: Karft from memory 12.04.2018, "Bund New Germany holds annual congress in Dresen from" (*.pdf)

2017

Exhibition "Pojednanie / Reconciliation in Progress"

6. International Workshop for professional officers on dealing with the past of Auschwitz burdened by violence
(2017 October 09 - 13, Center for Prayer and Dialogue Oswiecim/Auschwitz, Poland)

• Program (`*.pdf)
• Participants (`*.pdf)
• Photos

 

8. European Workshop on dealing with the past of Auschwitz burdened by violence
(2017 August 11 – 16, Centre for Prayer and Dialogue Oswiecim/Auschwitz, Poland)

• Program (*.pdf)
• Participants (*.pdf)
• Report - Elmar Gams (Estonia) - "Auschwitz and World War II" (*.pdf)
• Report - Georg Hörnschemeyer (Germany) - "Erinnerungen an Auschwitz und der II. Weltkrieg aus deutscher Perspektive" (*.pdf, in german)
• Report - Prof. Dr. Lily Gerdner Feldman (USA) - "The Legacy of Auschwitz:Perspectives from the US" (*.pdf)
• Report - Ols Kabashi (Albanien) - "The meaning of the Spac prison"(*.pdf)
• Dr. Tomasz Skonieczny (Polen): "Erinnerungen an den 2. Weltkrieg und Holocaust in Polen" (*.pdf, in german)
• Andrej Petrenko (Russland): "Die Bedeutung der kollaborierenden russischen Bewegung während des 2. Weltkriegs mit den Deutschen im Rahmen des wissenschaftlichen und gesellschaftlichen Diskurses in Russland (am Beispiel des Autonomen Bezirks Lokot)" (*.pdf, in german)
• Photos

 

2016

5. International workshop for professional officers on dealing with the past of Auschwitz burdened by violence
(2016 October 25 - 29, Center for Prayer and Dialogue Oswiecim/Auschwitz, Poland)

• Program (*.pdf)
• Participants (*.pdf)
• Photos

3. European Workshop on dealing with the violence burdened past of Bosnia and Herzegovina
16th till 24th of September 2016

• Program (*.pdf)
• Participants (*.pdf)
• Photos

7. European Workshop on dealing with the past of Auschwitz burdened by violence (2016 August 11 – 16, Centre for Prayer and Dialogue Oswiecim/Auschwitz, Poland)

• Program (*.pdf)
• Participants (*.pdf)
• Report - Stanislovas Stasiulis ( Lithuania ) - "Conflicting Memories: Jews, Lithuanians and the Holocaust" (*.pdf)
• Report - Antje Roser ( Germany ) - "The Concentration Camp Memorial Site Dachau" (*.pdf)
• Report - Alija Gusic ( Bosnien und Herzegovina ) - "World War II. and Auschwitz as it is remembered in Bosnia and Herzegovina" (*.pdf)
• Vortrag - Erzbischof Dr. Ludwig Schick, Bamberg - "Die heiligen Maximilian Kolbe und Papst Johannes Paul II. – Patrone der Versöhnung" (in german) (*.pdf)
• Report - Prof Joanna Kulska ( Poland ) - "Before and After: 50 Years of the Letter of Polish Bishops to German Bishops and Polish-German Reconciliation" (*.pdf)
• Photos

2015

Events accompanying the exhibition “Pojednanie/Reconciliation in Progress. The Catholic Church and the German-Polish relations after 1945“

The exhibition “Pojednanie/Reconciliation in Progress” which has been suggested by the German and the Polish Bishops’ Conference and prepared by the Maximilian Kolbe Foundation and the Osrodek Pamiec i Przysclosc on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the exchange of letters between the Polish and German Bishops will be presented at the Kronprinzenpalais from 18 November until 16 December 2015.

The intention of this German-Polish exhibition, which at the same time will be presented also in Wroclaw, is to critically appreciate a substantial part of the German-Polish reconciliation process and to make it fruitful for current challenges.

The exhibition will be accompanied by three events where important aspects of the subject matter will be discussed in detail. The discussions are to appreciate the historical dimension of the German-Polish reconciliation process and also address current challenges in the German-Polish relations resulting from the historical burdens. Finally the German-Polish experiences will be applied to other conflict situations in Europe.

1. “We forgive and ask for forgiveness. The exchange of letters between the Polish and German bishops and its effects”

Bishop em. Dr Alfons Nossol, Opole
Archbishop Dr Ludwig Schick, Bamberg, Maximilian Kolbe Foundation
Prof Dr Karl-Josef Hummel, Commission for Contemporary History
Dr Robert Zurek, IPN
Chairing: Tomasz Kycia, Wiez

Organizer: Polish Embassy in Berlin and MKF
Location: Landesvertretung Brandenburg
Date: 19 November 2015

2. “Mission accomplished? Do the German-Polish relations still need reconciliation work?“

Ambassador Dr Jerzy Marganski, Polish Embassy in Berlin
Dr Urszula Pekala, Mainz
Dietmar Nietan MdB, Federal Polish-German Society
Peter Weiß, MdB, Chairman of the Maximilian Kolbe Foundation and President of the Maximilian-Kolbe-Werk
Chairing: Dr Gerhard Albert, Renovabis

Organizer: Catholic Academy in Berlin and MKF
Location: Katholische Akademie Berlin
Date: 26 November 2015

• Info flyer for the exhibition (* .pdf, german)

 

4. International workshop for professional officers on dealing with the past of Auschwitz burdened by violence (2015 October 26 - 30, Center for Prayer and Dialogue Oswiecim/Auschwitz, Poland)

• Program (*.pdf)
• Participants (*.pdf)
• Presentation - Dr. Alex Kay, München: The making of an SS Killer (*.pdf)
• Photos

 

2. European Workshop on dealing with the violence burdened past of Bosnia and Herzegovina (2015 September 05 – 13, Sarajevo) A contribution to dialogue and a culture of listening and solidarity

• Program (*.pdf)
• Participants (*.pdf)
• Photos

 

6. European Workshop on dealing with the past of Auschwitz burdened by violence (2015 August 11 – 16, Centre for Prayer and Dialogue Oswiecim/Auschwitz, Poland)

• Program (*.pdf)
• Participants (*.pdf)
• Lecture Archbishop Prof. Dr. Ludwig Schick, Dioceses of Bamberg (in german) (*.pdf)
• Article in press "Die Tagespost" - Archbishop Prof. Dr. Ludwig Schick, Dioceses of Bamberg: "Initiator der Versöhnung" (in german)(*.pdf)
• Report by Anna-Mari Karafizi ( Russia ): "We and our past" ( in german ) (*.pdf)
• Report - Dr. Yaroslav Kit ( Ukraine ): "Ukraine in 2015" (*.pdf)
• Report (*.pdf) and presentation - Georg Hörnschemeyer ( Germany ): "Rememberance of Auschwitz and the II. World War in a german perspective" ( in german ) (*.pdf)
• Report - Rev. Vlatko Rosic ( Bosnia and Herzegovina ): "Situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina with Emphasis on Catholic church" (*.pdf)
• Press release Renovabis - Alexandra Sauter ( Germany ): "Auschwitz - There is no simple answer" ( in german ) (*.pdf)
• Pressebericht in RISU ( Religious Information Service of Ukraine), Yaroslav Kit: "Maximilian-Kolbe", 30-05-2017 (in Ukr., *.pdf)
• Photos

 

2014

Study part of the meeting of the board trustees in Berlin on November 14, 2014

• Program (*.pdf)
• Photos

 

3. International workshop for professional officers on dealing with the past of Auschwitz burdened by violence (2014 November 3 – 7, Center for Prayer and Dialogue Oswiecim, Poland)

• Program (*.pdf)
• Participants (*.pdf)
• Photos

 

European Workshop on dealing with the violence burdened past of Bosnia and Herzegovina (2014 September 17 – 24, Sarajevo)

A contribution to dialogue and a culture of listening and solidarity

• Program (*.pdf)
• Statement (*.pdf)
• Participants (*.pdf)
• Photos I, Photos II

 

5. European Workshop on dealing with the past of Auschwitz burdened by violence (2014 August 11 – 16, Centre for Prayer and Dialogue Oswiecim, Poland)

• Program (*.pdf)
• Participants (*.pdf)
• Lecture Archbishop Prof. Dr. Ludwig Schick, Diocese of Bamberg: "Maxilian Kolbe - Martyr of Reconciliation" (*.pdf)
• Lecture by Iryna Papa, Ukraine: “Ukraine: a patchwork of histories and memories” (*.pdf)
• Report by Rasa Krulikauskiene, Litauen: "The momories of World War II and Auschwitz in Lithuania" (*.pdf)
• Lectures by Georg Hörnschemeyer, Maximilian Kolbe – Stiftung , Germany: Participants on World War II and Auschwitz as it is remembered in their countries (I) (*.pdf)
• Lecture by Prof. Dr. Myroslav Marynovych, Ukrainian Catholic University, Lviv, Ukraine: "Remembrance, Truth and Temptation" Theories on the role of the Church in dealing with the past burdened by violence. Part 1 (*.pdf), Part 2 (*.pdf)
• Article - Sandra Garry ( Ireland ) - "Prayers and reflection in the shadow of Auschwitz", in Itercom, A Pastoral and Liturgical Resource - October 2014, page 33
• Photos

 

2013

2. International Workshop for general staff officers on dealing with the past of Auschwitz burdened by violence, (27. November - 1. December 2013, Auschwitz)

• Program (*.pdf)
• Participants (*.pdf)
• Photos

 

Dealing with the totalitarian heritage in Ukraine
Lviv, October 11, 2013

• Program (*.pdf)
• Photos
• Links
  • Video Citadel Lviv
  • Video Conference 1
  • Video Conference 2
  • Video Conference 3
  • Video Conference 4
  • Video Conference 5

 

International Workshop on dealing with violence burdened past and the aftermath of dictatorship as a challenge for European Societies (20./ 21. September 2013 in Berlin)

- Workshop will be organized in cooperation with the European Commission Justice and Peace -

• Program (*.pdf)
• Participants (*.pdf)
• Photos

 

4. European Workshop on dealing with the past of Auschwitz burdened by violence, 2013 August 11 – 16, Centre for Prayer and Dialogue Oswiecim, Poland

• Program (*.pdf)
• Participants(*.pdf)
• Report by Prof. em. Dr. Heinz-Günther Stobbe, University of Siegen and Member of German Commission Justice and Peace: Remembrance, truth and temptation", theories on he role of the Church in dealing with the past burdened by violence
• Photos

 

Dealing with the communist dictatorship in Albania
Program for Delegation from Albania (22. – 26. April, Berlin)

• Program (*.pdf)
• Photos

 

Conference on "Dealing with the Communist Past in Albania" in Tirana/ Albania on 4 - 5 February 2013

• Report - Luigj Mila: "Final report - Dealing with the Communist Pastr in Albania" (*.pdf)
• Photos

 

2012

International Workshop for general staff officers from Poland and Germany on Dealing with the past of Auschwitz burdened by violence (21 – 25 November 2012, Oswiecim, Poland)

A cooperation between the Maximilian Kolbe Foundation and the Zentrum für ethische Bildung in den Streitkräften (zebis) [Centre for ethics education in the armed forces]

• Program (*.pdf)
• List of participients (*.pdf)
• Vortrag von Prof. Dr. Harald J. Freyberger, Universität Greifswald: "Langfristige Folgen von Traumatisierung. Zum psycho-sozialen Umgang mit schwerwiegenden Gewalterfahrungen" (*.pdf)
• Vortrag von Prof. Dr. Dr. Phil C. Langer, Universität Frankfurt: "Täter werden – Täter sein. Erfahrungen mit Tätergeschichten (*.pdf)
• Bericht Heinz Glump: "Deutsch-polnischer Workshop in Auschwitz: Vergessen kann man nicht, denn es war die Hölle!"
• Photos
  

 

3. European Workshop on Dealing with past of Auschwitz burdened by violence (11 – 16 August 2012, Centre for Dialogue and Prayer in Oswiecim/ Auschwitz)

• Program (*.pdf)
• List of participients (*.pdf)
• Vortrag von Moritz Povel: "Die Erinnerung an Auschwitz in Deutschland und in Israel - Ein Erlebnisbericht" (*.pdf)
• Vortrag von Liudmila Vikulova: "Russian memory about the Second World War and Auschwitz concentration camp" (*.pdf)
• Vortrag von Ingrida Vilkiene: "Auschwitz and World War II as it is remembered in Lithuania" (*.pdf)
• Vortrag von Agron Tufa: "The Albanian Ethnotype and the saving of the Jews during war" (*.pdf)
• Photos
  

 

Project on dealing with the heritage of the Communist dictatorship in Albania

Together with the Albanian Justice and Peace Commission, the Foundation has started a project on dealing with the heritage of the Communist dictatorship in Albania. In this context a first documentary expedition to former Communist prisons and labour camps in Albania took place from 23 to 28 April 2012. With the help of further travels a comprehensive documentation shall be continued. So the question of an adequate dealing with history and its consequences shall be made a subject of discussion. The project will be supported by the close cooperation of former prisoners.

A Round Table will be organized in Tirana from 12 to 13 November 2012. On this occasion, the results of the work done so far will be presented to the public with the help of an exhibition and a workshop.

• Project concept (*.pdf)
• Account of the journey from 23 to 28 April 2012
• Photos

 

Volunteer project in Yad Vashem extended for 2012/2013

The volunteer project in Yad Vashem started last year has been extended for one year until March 2013. The project which is dedicated to document the biographies of people who are honoured in Jerusalem as „Righteous among the Nations“ because of their behaviour during the Holocaust, is jointly supported by the Maximilian Kolbe Foundation, the Jesuit Mission and the German Bishops’ Conference.

 

European Summer School for Young Leaders on coping with violent burdened past and reconciliation (Sarajevo 2012)

The project which is to be carried out in cooperation with the Interreligious Rat in Sarajewo is being prepared at the moment.

2011

2. European Workshop on Dealing with the past of Auschwitz burdened by violence (09 - 14 August 2011, Centre for Dialogue and Prayer in Oswiecim/ Auschwitz)

• Programme (*.pdf)
  
• Participants (*.pdf)
  
• Dr. Rafal Zytyniec:  The Memory of the Second World War in Poland (*.pdf)
• Prof. Natalia Timofeeva: Auschwitz in Russia´s memory of today (*.pdf)
  
• Georg Hörnschemeyer: Reflections on dealing with a past burdened by violence against the background of experiences made in Germany (*.pdf)
  
• Photos
  

Volunteer project Yad Vashem 2011/2012

In March 2011 the Maximilian Kolbe Foundation, the Jesuit Mission and the German Bishops’ Conference sent a volunteer to Yad Vashem, memorial to the Holocaust.

At the memorial the volunteer will deal with the documentation of the life stories of Germans and Poles who are honoured at the Avenue of the Righteous among the Nations. In addition, the volunteer will work in the care of the elderly one day per week.

With this project which is planned for one year, the Foundation wants to make a contribution to the relationship between Germany, Poland and Israel. At the same time it is an expression of the actual responsibility for keeping up the remembrance of the shoa and for dealing with its consequences.

 

2010

1. European Workshop on Dealing with the past of Auschwitz burdened by violence (10 – 15 August 2010, Centre for Dialogue and Prayer in Oswiecim/Auschwitz)

•  Programme (*.pdf)
  
•  Participants (*.pdf)
  
•  Photos

Panel discussion at the Ecumenical Kirchentag 2010 in Munich

On 14 May 2010 the foundation held a panel discussion „Future is remembrance. On the perspectives of relations between Germany, Poland and Russia“ together with the Action Reconciliation/Service for Peace during the Ecumenical Kirchentag.

Participants of the panel discussion:
Prof. Dr. Klaus Ahlheim, Berlin
Prof. Dr. Irina Sherbakova, Memorial Moscow
Dr. Rafal Zytyniec, Polish Academy of Sciences

Presentation:
Jörg Lüer, Maximilian Kolbe Foundation

 

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