Activation of the Local Environment: from Theory to Practice – the History of an Educational Project

Abstract

Contemporary social changes are affected in a crucial way by the activities of individuals and social groups. One can foster the active attitudes of such groups through education. Taking this into account; the Faculty of Social Sciences at UWM in Olsztyn launched an initiative to create a new specialization at the Faculty of Social Sciences called “Education and activation of local communities”. The project was guided by numerous opinions; documents; guidelines; and expert advice. The analysis of documents indicated a real need for the implementation of the initiative; which provided additional inspiration in the planning and finalization of the entire project. Despite the enormous involvement and effort on the part of the organizers; the initiative was; and still is; a failure. The promotional action led in the mass media; as well as having held a special academic conference; were of no help. The main reasons for the failure are as follows: 1. The apparent inertia of the most members of the young generation in the field of widely understood social activity; 2. The resulting low interest in subsequent calls for applications; 3. The lack of support on the part of local institutions; 4. The lack of reasonable; pragmatic programme for the academic conference promoting the new specialization. The confrontation between theory and practice indicates that even the best intentions might fail when confronted with reality.