By Jo Louise Winters, PR Chair
The Youth Leadership Conferences (YLC) have been sponsored by the American Council for Polish Culture (ACPC) since 1994 in Washington, DC. The 2011 Conference is planned and directed by Irena Mirecki, YLC Chair/ACPC Financial Secretary, and Thaddeus Mirecki, ACPC Immediate Past President & 1st V.P. PAC Washington Metro Area Div.
The Conference assists youths of Polish background who are interested in civic and political activism to realize their full potential and to assume leadership roles in various fields at all levels of society. The week-long Conference is scheduled for June 19-25, 2011.
Youth Leadership Conference in Washington, DC 2010
At the Institute of World Politics. At left: Academic Dean and historian Marek Chodakiewicz.
It is an up close and intensive opportunity for 20 to 25 young Polish Americans, chosen from all over the U.S., to explore the political processes and interact with national and international leaders in the realms of foreign policy, business, science, education, journalism, culture, Polish American and east-central European affairs. It is open to high school graduates or college students ages 17 to 26 of Polish descent. A deposit of $50 (refundable) will guarantee a place as space is limited.
The Youth Leadership Conferences have always been fully subscribed as young Polish Americans from across the USA eagerly seek to participate in this unique occasion to meet face-to-face and hold in-depth discussions with U.S. Senators and Representatives; government officials in the Departments of State, Commerce, Treasury, Defense, and the Intelligence Agency; nationally known journalists and authors; political scientists in “think tanks”; officials of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland; as well as prominent figures of Polonia, business and the professions. Among the many fine presentations at last year’s (2010) conference, the following are good examples of the type of programs to be expected this year, e.g.:
· Ambassador Robert Kupiecki met with the group at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland.
· Several presentations at the Institute of World Politics (IWP), graduate school of national security & international affairs concluding with talk by IWP dean Marek Chodakiewicz.
· Talk at Library of Congress by Regina Frackowiak, Head of the European Reading Room.
· Group met with Dr. Andrzej Raczko, outgoing Alternate Exec. Dir. at the Intl. Monetary Fund, in the IMF group of countries that includes Poland.
· “Legacy of the White Eagle” presented by Dr. Julian Kulski, a participant of the Warsaw Uprising of 1944.
· A meeting with Mark Brzezinski, Esq., son of Zbigniew, at his law office. He presented yet another slant on what characteristics are needed to assume leadership positions and gave each participant a copy of his book, The Struggle for Constitutionalism in Poland.
· Sight-seeing tour of DC led by Gordon Kray, a sculptor who was honored by the ACPC with its Jan de Rosen Award in 1992. Being an artist, he explained many details of the styles and decorations of the historic buildings and sites. He also showed some of his own works, including the large marble Madonna at St. Matthew’s Cathedral.
Several of the above sessions were held at The Kosciuszko Foundation’s American Center of Polish Culture. And one day ended with a surprise invitation by Mr. & Mrs. Stefanski to their Northern Virginia home for a swimming pool and pizza party!
Voluntary evaluations by YLC alumni have strongly encouraged other students to apply for the Conference, seeing it as a “truly life-altering experience.” One enthusiastic student called home to tell her parents “Guess whom I chatted with today!” A college freshman wrote that he was very grateful because he found the programs so highly motivating and inspiring that he found himself directed to a career selection and thus early in his studies he was able to select classes fitting precisely into his major.
The ACPC Youth Leadership Conference registration fee is $500. This provides for housing at George Washington University and one meal per day, along with most other conference expenses such as local travel and tours. Transportation to and from Washington, DC, as well as each student’s optional expenses are up to the individual and/or local supporting ACPC Affiliate organization, Polish club or student organization, etc, through their support for student programs.
People’s thoughts at this point may turn to gifts for those they love, particularly their children, grandchildren and other relatives. An exciting experience in the Washington DC Conference would make a wonderful graduation gift for your son, daughter, niece or nephew! The experience of having your child or grandchild attend the Youth Leadership Conference in Washington, DC will provide for happy recollections within the family for many years. Every unique encounter will be fondly remembered with thanksgiving for the generous donor of the $500 fee. Suggest to your local Polish/Polish-American organization that it sponsor one or more students from within their membership for this magnificent experience in our nation’s capitol.
The application form is available at the ACPC website, www.polishcultureacpc.org/ylc or by contacting the YLC Director: Mrs. Irena Mirecki, Conference Chair, 4041 41st Street, McLean, VA 22101, [email protected].