1. Blank paper challenge
Poland was never focused on positivism. Whole Polish patriotism is focused on
romanticism, on sacrifice life for Motherland. Even in our schools to learn about positivism, we
have to read more books wrote by Germans than by Poles. I remember, when 9 years ago Poland
joined European Union, over 1 million of Polish citizens emigrated to Western European countries.
They had no other choice, because unemployment rate for whole country reached 20%, in some
provinces over 35%.
What I have noticed in Romania is the fact, that people there are still focused on great
achievements of their ancestors. I have never heard there about heroes who sacrificed life for
Romania, but I've heard of great inventors. From what I was told, after Romania joined European
Union even more citizens emigrated, from country having half of amount of Polish inhabitants.
After few years in European Union, some of Poles started to come back to Poland. They
brought money, they brought knowledge, they brought habits of living in richer country. But what is
the most important they came back with contacts. Some of them started up their own business.
Some, using new skills and experience, get good job in Poland. But all of them, of those who came
back, they think in positivist way. All the rest are ready to give their life for Poland, but they don't
want to work for Polish growth. But … Today, Poland doesn't expect anyone to scarify its life.
Poland expects work and pride of our achievements.
Than I visited Romania. Many of friends met there, of my students, they dream about
leaving the country. I was sad and surprised, that in country, where so many volunteers saw
potential to do something, Romanians didn't.
And than I asked myself: “Man, why are you sad? It is so hypocritical, you have left your
country either.” It took me some time to realize that it wasn't wrong. Than I asked myself again:
“What do I believe in?” Maybe I just wanted to find an excuse for my behavior. But than I remind
some sentence: “... to fulfill humankind's potential”. But it wasn't enough for me. “Just society”
completes my believes I said.
Some people's life is designated to work in a factory, because society needs bread, houses
and computers. Some people's life is designated to lead others, because society needs directions.
But every single people's life deserves respect and every single person on The Earth has a right to
be happy.
In XXI century there will be less and less wars as we know them from books. I believe that
few bricks of this process were put by brave AIESECers. But wars in XXI century will be about
economy, access to resources and people will be recognized as resource as well. Are they going to
be happy? Are they going to be respected?
In few years some of Romanian people will come back. There will be more of them than in
Poland, because they believe in positivist aspects of growth. They will also return with money,
habits and connections. They will open companies and will work in ambitious positions.
But some of both, Polish and Romanian people will still be forced to work in conditions
offending their humanity. This is role for AIESEC in Romania in coming years: To build awareness
of XXI century's circumstances, to keep building positive contacts between cultures. We are not
going to kill each other, but are we going to truly respect each other?
Poland and Romania 30 years ago were very similar. Now Poland is more developed, but not
because of better management, but just because of geopolitical location – closer to those who can
help. Even if I strongly believe in many of European Union authorities good will, we still have to be
aware of threat of nationalistic forces in Europe.
The bigger the difference between countries is, the bigger the threat is.
In few years Romania will develop, so Poland will. I want our countries to develop together,
not just next to each other. I want to be a part of this process!
Damian Gorlicki
Application for the post of MCVP GCDPi, AIESEC in Romania