On 2nd April in Suwalki, Poland took place a meeting that was a result of the “YMCA Work with Refugees” conference in Gdynia.
The meeting was initiated by YMCA Lithuania because of their earlier program relationships with the City Culture Centre in Suwalki (Suwalski Dom Kultury)and the Ukrainian Society in Suwalki (a very active group focused on integration). YMCA Europe was represented by Adam Rychlik (YMCA Europe Mission in Poland).
The main conclusion from the meeting is that Suwa?ki is a very friendly environment for citizen initiatives and for multiethnic and multicultural integration.
We are going to start with these activities that are already in progress: cultural projects (choir music, arts, crafts, workshops on Gospel music). YMCA Lithuania in coordination with YMCA Europe Mission in Poland will provide the concept plan of the cooperation, which will be implemented as a concrete project.
For YMCA Europe Mission in Poland that means another opportunity in the process of rebuilding YMCA movement in Poland. We are searching for other common fields for cooperation to include other places in Lithuania and Poland, where YMCA work with refugees is going on.
Thank you, YMCA Lithuania for this initiative!
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In the picture from the left:
Algirdas Gražys – NGS YMCA Lithuania
Angele Cepenaite – represenative of Community Centere in Vilnius
Adam Rychlik – YMCA Europe Mission in Poland
Ignacy Olów – Head of City Community Centre in Suwalki
Anna Szafranowska – Gospel Choir conductor in Suwalki
Anna Samolienko – chair of Ukrainian Association in Suwalki
