People To People International European Conference
People To People International Youth Chapter has existed in our school since 2008. Ever since the beginning, I have been its guardian (Adult Advisor). PTPI is an organization of friends of different age from all over the world. Our chapter, along with Katowice city, have been the hosts of the European Conference for the second time, the first time being in 2011. Also, we hosted the present CEO PTPI from Kansas City – President Eisenhower's great-grandson, Mr Merrill Eisenhower Atwater.
The PTPI Conference began with pre-conference excursions to Wieliczka and Cracow (September 3rd), Auschwitz and Tychy (September 4th), and Queen Louise Adit in Zabrze (September 5th). The official registration, humanitarian workshops for Educational Centre Facility in Katowice-Giszowiec (in our school), as well as the first lunch together took place on Thursday, September 6th. There were around 80 participants of the conference. Friday, September 7th, was a wonderfully prepared and conducted Treasure Hunt – a creative and fascinating way to go sightseeing around Katowice, guided by the members of our chapter, open air workshops conducted by students from our Wańkowicz High School, and Opening Dinner in "Luker" restaurant in Mikołów. Its special guests were the Headmistress, Ms Jolanta Kałuża, along with her husband, and the President of Mikołów City. A worldwide famous tenor voice singer, Mr Sylwester Targosz-Szalonek made that evening exceptional.
Saturday, September 8th, was full of events: the Council Meeting in the assembly hall of our school, youth panel, and common lunch. During these events, the new chairman of the European PTPI was elected. Mr Chalks Corriette was replaec by Kaloyan Stoyanov from the Dolphin Chapter in Varna, Bulgaria. We would like to cordially thank our graduate, now a doctor, Mr Michał Drabek, for tasting fabulous coffee during the breaks in the discussion. In the evening, we met at European Dinner, also in the asembly hall of our school. The place was marvellously decorated by Ms Małgorzata Andrysiak – thank you so much. Our special guest was Professor Jerzy Buzek, a former Prime Minister of Poland, as well as the Chairman of the European Parliament. Also, an auction of hand-painted bags was organized. The profit was donated to the Educational Centre Facility in Katowice-Giszowiec. Artistic impressions were ensured by the concert of Box Canyon&Mr Jeff Shiffman. Special guests during the event were: the Headmistress, Ms Jolanta Kałuża, and the Vice-Headmistress, Ms Danuta Kałuża-Freyre with her husband.
Sunday is, traditionally, the last day of the Conference and sightseeing together, this time during a Post Industrial Tour. The Museum of Silesia in the Culture Area and Nikoszowiec enchanted everyone with their uniqueness and beauty. The final point of the event was a delicious Silesian lunch in the iconic "Śląska Prohibicja" restaurant in Nikiszowiec.
Three post-conference days were spent in Gdańsk and Sopot by some participants, where they were guided by Mr Tomasz Wałęsa, a grandson of the former President of Poland and the Laureate of Peace Nobel Prize, Mr Lech Wałęsa.
This year, our guests were the representatives of Albania, Armenia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Macedonia, Germany, Romania, Switzerland, Sweden, Ukrain, and the US, and the hosts were, of course – Poland. Unfortunately, the Polish diplomatic offices did not issue visas for the conference for some participants, Nepal among others. However, their flag was posted as one of the participants.
I would like to thank everyone who contributed to organizing and conducting that important and beautiful conference. Most of all, the hosts of our school: the Headmistress, Ms Jolanta Kałuża, and the Vice-Headmistress, Ms Danuta Kałuża-Freyre. The catering services and the organizers of Friday evening, Mr&Ms Grażyna and Krzysztof Luker from "Luker" Restaurant in Mikołów. The bus company, Marecki Bus from Chorzów, for transpoting us on time, for a good price. Ms Monika Fudek from Hotel Diament Arsenal Palace in Chorzów for perfect cooperation. Restaurants: Bistro Moodro, Śląska Prohibicja, Wiejska Chatka, Żurownia for their intriguing and interesting offer.
And, a cordial thank you goes to my students and members of the chapter: Julia Kaczyńska, Miłosz Ciepał, Marysia Gac, Maks Bule, Rafał Gardulski, Julia Plewniok and many, many others – it is impossible to enumerate everyone here. Thanks to you, the conference has been acclaimed as one of the best in the history of the European PTPI. Also, the profit is great – your donations have resulted in the income greater than 4000PLN. Bravo us!!!
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