126 127 MA Joanna Narożnik PILGRIM Ambassador for Poland PILGRIM - Reflecting on the Past And Looking to the Future Those who add spirituality to education for sustainability enrich the earth with heaven. Johann Hisch When Poland became part of the PILGRIM community, numerous projects were initiated with the aim of changing the way we perceive the world and promoting the idea of a conscious way of life in harmony with nature and other people. The role of teachers in this process is crucial, as they influence the shaping of young people's attitudes and how children and adolescents will care for their future and that of future generations. For this reason, our primary school joined the PILGRIM movement in 2015 and presented five projects during the PILGRIM International Education Conference in Poznan: Christmas Fair, Family Picnic, Time Capsule 2014-2114, All Saints' Day Ball, and Fields of Hope, which we carried out for the school and local community. We did not stop at these activities and promoted knowledge about PILGRIM in our city. The PILGRIM idea has quickly gained many allies from other educational institutions in our region. An important event in our activities was the international conference under the slogan “Synergy, Education, Integration," which we organised in Radom on 16 May 2016. It was not only an event to promote the PILGRIM idea but also to award 4 schools and 2 institutions with certificates confirming their commitment in the promotion of proenvironmental, pro-social and pro-economic values. These were: - Kornel Makuszyński School Complex Natolin - Bohdana "Danuta" Kijewska Social Welfare Home by the Potok River, Radom - Special Primary School Śmiłow (municipality of Jastrząb) - Special School Complex No. 1, Radom - "Nowe Perspektywy" Association for supporting families, Radom - Public Primary School No. 20, Defenders of Peace, Radom The conference was held under the honorary patronage of the Mayor of Radom, Radosław Witkowski. Conference participants included representatives of institutions from Poland andabroad, including the founder and director of the PILGRIM network in Austria, Dr Johann Hisch, Karol Semik – Deputy Mayor of Radom, Aurelia Michałowska – Mazovian Superintendent of Education, Ewa Lis – Chief Inspector of the Department of Educational Supervision at the Department of General Education of the Ministry of Education, Anna Ostrowska – Director of the Faculty of Education in Radom, and Rev. Dr Stanisław Łabendowicz – Director of the Catechetical Department of the Radom Diocese Curia. The conference was also attended by principals and teachers from local schools and kindergartens, clergy involved in education, and representatives of associations supporting families and people with disabilities. During the conference, 45 educators and staff from the aforementioned schools and institutions were individually certified, as well as 16 educators from the Public Primary School No. 4 in Radom – the organiser of the conference. Speakers at the conference included the founders and ambassadors of PILGRIM, talking about the idea, establishment, and development of the International Education Network PILGRIM in Poland and Europe. This was followed by presentations from members who shared their experiences in implementing projects without any financial support. An important part of the programme was the poster session, during which participants had the opportunity to exchange professional experiences and establish first contacts with the intention of joint future initiatives. Notes on the conference can be found on the websites of the Mazovian Board of Education, the PILGRIM Association (pilgrim. at), the websites of certified schools, and local media. The event was attended by many guests, which shows how important the PILGRIM idea is for local communities. Many guests, both from Poland and abroad, shared their experiences and knowledge about how to practically implement PILGRIM ideas in different places. The example of the St. Casimir Jagiellon Public Primary School No. 4 with Integrative Departments in Radom shows that such initiatives have a lasting and real impact on shaping the awareness of young people and the local environment. Many educators continue to work with the PILGRIM idea by implementing educational projects aimed at promoting the values of sustainability. The 10 years of the PILGRIM movement in Poland provide an excellent opportunity to reflect on the achievements and set directions for future action. Living in harmony with nature, caring for each other, and looking towards the future should guide today's actions. The awareness of the values that PILGRIM brings should be promoted for the benefit of future generations. One
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