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Polcul – History and Mode of Operation
Polcul was founded in 1980 in Sydney by Jerzy (George) Boniecki, a Polish immigrant to Australia and a Holocaust survivor. Boniecki became a successful businessman, and since early 1970s he was passionately involved in the protection of environment, human rights and local community initiatives. The creation of Polcul preceded by a few months the establishment of Solidarity movement in Poland, but then Polcul’s initial activities were largely in response to it. Jerzy recognised that the Polish regime is likely to suppress Solidarity activists and thought it necessary to provide his own funds to assists those persecuted. From the outset, Polcul supported independent initiatives aimed at sustaining Polish culture and democratic opposition. After the crackdown on the Solidarity movement in 1981, it awarded cash awards, that were smuggled into the country and distributed anonymously. Its early recipients were mostly pro-democracy activists, writers, editors, publishers and distributors of underground press. We call it a “heroic period” and the Foundation is particularly indebted to Miroslaw Chojecki, Stefan Kisielewski, Wojciech Sikora, Kazimierz Dobrowolski and many others who put themselves at personal risk as the Foundation couriers to Poland. About 600 awards were given in the period till Polish regained independence in 1989. Polcul’s cash awards of $500-$750 were then enough to sustain early recipients for a year or two. In addition to the substantial financial impact the awards were also a form of validation and recognition that the activists’ efforts, often undertaken in clandestine and with potentially dangerous consequences, were valued by those on the outside. Although awarded anonymously, the list of recipients were published annually in the Paris paper “Kultura”.
The fall of communism in 1989 heralded a new chapter for the Polcul Foundation. Would the awards remain relevant? We were aware that while the liberalisation and democratisation of political institutions would occur swiftly, the rebirth of a robust civil society would be a long and difficult process. This is why we decided that Polcul would continue to support activities and initiatives that promoted democracy taking root in Poland. In our opinion to be truly free from the stultifying effects of a totalitarian system, individuals would need to dedicate themselves, with their own initiative, to civic-minded endeavours. To this end Polcul has continued to support people with good ideas and the courage to act on them. It has recognised individuals and organizations engaged in activities that not only reflect but foster democratic values, fairness, tolerance, inclusion and those working at the local level, “Little Heroes” who through their efforts generate a positive effect on their environment and strengthen community.
Polcul Foundation integrity and reputation rests on the moral authority of its Judging panel, which always included patriotic Poles known for their outstanding contribution to Polish democratic tradition and culture. Early members of Judging Panel included Jerzy Giedroyc (Maisons-Laffite), Jan Nowak-Jezioranski (Washington), Gustaw Herling-Grudzinski (Neaples), Stanislaw Baranczak (Boston), Miroslaw Chojecki (Paris), Leszek Kolakowski (Oxford), Eugieniusz Smolar (London) and Jakub Swiecicki (Stockholm). While all initial members of the Judging Panel were émigrés, the majority of the Foundation chapter members live now in Poland and include Zofia Bartoszewska, Jacek Fedorowicz, Jan Hanasz, Leon Kieres, Janina Ochojska and Jozef Zycinski among others.
In accordance with the law of the State of New South Wales the Foundation was registered as a company limited by guarantee under the name POLCUL FOUNDATION LIMITED (registration number 265495-19). Apart from Jerzy Boniecki, Polcul directors included Krzysztof Nadolski, a lawyer from Sydney and Jan Pakulski, a sociology professor from Hobart. Jan Dunin-Karwicki the editor and publisher of the Polish Weekly in Sydney held the position of honorary director until his death in 1999. Wojciech Zagala, systems engineer from Melbourne joined the board in 1985, and Adam Warzel, a sociologist from Melbourne in 2001. In 2003 Barbara Zagala became the foundation’s secretary. Mr Sig Syme, registered auditor in Melbourne, audits the Polcul Foundation finances in accordance with its articles of association, which is at the outmost level envisaged by the law.
The Foundation relies on its representatives and consultants in Poland, who present the awards and maintain liaison with the media, other NGOs and public institutions. Dr Jan Hanasz formed a close friendship with Jerzy Boniecki while on scientific scholarship in Australia in 1960s. For his support for Solidarnosc Torun he was jailed in the early 198os. The other representatives, Anka Kondracka and Stanislaw Widajewicz, are both based in Warsaw.
The consultants perform a crucial role in the operation
of the Foundation works by selecting candidates for Polcul awards,
verifying the candidates’ credentials and preparing written submissions to the
board. Finding candidates hasn’t been easy. We have unearthed these impressive
individuals not only through previous laureates who keep in touch with us but
also through a carefully selected and dedicated network of volunteer foundation
scouts. It’s their job to keep their noses to the ground, follow up leads – a
radio report, a newspaper article – gather information on behalf of the
foundation and submit nominees. The current consultants include Joanna
Dunikowska (Krakow), Anna Laddy-Widajewicz (Warszawa), Teresa Siwak (Gdansk),
Barbara Weigl (Opole) and Janina Moskalczuk (Belchatow). The submissions are
reviewed by Polcul directors and submitted to the members of the chapter, who
vote for candidates. The successful candidates are given awards twice a year in
May and November. Till the end of 2006 Polcul Foundation has recognised more
than 1250 individual recipients. The maximum awards are of 5,000 PLN.
Over 26 years, Polcul Foundation gained many friends and supporters and maintained its reputation for independence. The recipients of the awards come from all walks of life and their political views have spanned the whole spectrum from the left leaning to the right. The foundation has consciously strived to remain impartial, above ideological and party lines. We share, with Jerzy Boniecki, a deep sense of pride about Polcul's achievements and measure our success by the words of thanks from past recipients.
Polcul is privately funded, the majority of its funds have been provided by Jerzy Boniecki. The other benefactors are: Mr & Mrs Kristina and Boles law Singler, Mrs Eudoksja Rakowska and Mr & Mrs Karol and Irena Dowoyna-Sylwestrowicz. Each of the benefactors has awards made in their name for as long as the Foundation remains. The funds are invested and twice-yearly awards are paid from the dividend. Currently Polcul can afford to recognize 40-50 individuals every year.
Among recent award recipients:
· Mr Lukasz Horowski was recognised for ongoing efforts to extend friendship and reconciliation between Poles and Ukrainians. In particular, from his base in Wielkopolska, Lukasz has been assisting children, the youth and the sick in the vicinity of Borszczowa in the Ukraine (2005)
· Mr Jerzy Fornalik for his educational efforts and promoting attitudes of tolerance to others as part of “Anyschematy” project in Kozmin Wielkopolski (2005)
· Stanislaw Wilkanowicz was recognised for life-long effort in promoting open and tolerant society including initiatives: maintaining dialog and reconciliation between Poles and Jews, initiating programs fighting unemployment in Krakow and Oswiecim, working for European integration and initiating inter-faith initiatives between Christians, Jews, and Muslims (2005)
· Mrs Beata Mirska for creating association “Damy Rade” (“We can make it!”) supporting single and unemployed mothers in Warsaw (2005)
· Mr Jan Arczewski who was the founder of the first in Poland organization offering telephone support for people with disabilities in Lublin (1986), where he maintains his active involvement (2006)
These awards represent major strands in activities recognised by Polcul: long-standing efforts influencing and mobilising respective communities for activities as diverse as help for the underprivileged, promotion of open and liberal democratic society, promotion of tolerance, cooperation and reconciliation between ethnic, minority and religious groups. All positions in the Foundation are voluntary.
Polcul Board
Melbourne, February 2007