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TWORZENIE MIEJSC PRACY

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EQUAL - Ekonomia Społeczna w Praktyce

GAZETA ULICZNA

Introductions

How can social economy contribute to local development?
The little community that could  - Barka Foundation

Barka Foundation for Mutual Help was established as a response to increasing social problems during  transformation years. Barbara and Tomasz Sadowski wanted to create conditions in which the “forgotten and unwanted” could have a chance for personal growth and social development.

This mission influenced the creation of an alternative system of support, which gathers people from the weakest groups, giving them possibilities to rebuild their lives, upgrade vocational skills and find their way in the new socioeconomic reality. In 1989, these two psychologists set up the first Barka community, using the derelict school building in Wladyslawowo (in the West of Poznan). This first community gave a home for 25 “life wrecked”” individuals, who were living together with the Sadowski’s family. Wladyslawowo became the spring-board for the continuing mutual-help movement, engaging not only the people in need but also informal groups and non-governmental organizations in Poland and abroad. 

Barka's Mission

Barka Foundation is a non-governmental organization. Its mission is to offer support for social development of

excluded groups, build conditions to enable them to rebuild their lives by creating a system of mutual help, education and entrepreneurship, in line with a citizens’ society. 

The objective is to create a system of support for the process of integration of excluded groups. This system includes about 5000 persons annually (gathering persons in life crises, informal groups of citizens,non-governmental organizations, representatives of the government at national and local levels).

The main task is to create a program for the development of this system in Poland,in other countries in transformation and in developing countries.

The development of the program consists on creation of Schools of Social Animation (SAS – Szkoly Animacji Socjalnej), based on experiences and knowledge of people who overcame extreme poverty and serious life difficulties, and today are able to transfer the knowledge on the mechanisms of creation and development of programs of fight against social exclusion to groups from diverse regions of Poland and Europe, in a professional way. SAS educates in the self-help system future animators of centers and programs. The new Law on Social Employment and the project of Law on Social Cooperatives enable to give legal and financial support for the development of these programs in Poland.

Barka's study visit to Hamburg
During 21-24 June 2009 a delegation from the Barka Network (Tomasz Sadowski, Krystyna Dorsz and Anna Cakala) and Barka UK (Stanislaw Szczerba and Ewa Sadowska) conducted a study visit to Hamburg for the invitation of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland.
The delegation met with the Head of Social Policy Department at the Hamburg City Hall - Mrs Verena Orth and visited a number of instituions and NGOs working with groups and individuals in extreme social situations (including Polish migrants). The visit triggered an important dialogue for building social integration programs to the benefit of Polish migrants in Germany.
Delegation was assisted by Consul Łukasz Koterba and Ms Karolina Kowalska from the Polish Consulate General.
The meetings in Hamburg and the future projects of Barka in Germany will be implemented within the European Migrants Integration Network (EuroMI).
In the picture below - Barka delegation with Polish Consul General to Hamburg Mr. Andrzej Osiak.
                                            

UK Government Delegation visits Barka Network
During 4-6 June 2009 UK Government Delegation visited Barka Network. The purpose of the visit was to better understand the causes of such large migration of Poles to the British Isles. The delegation took part in a number of official meetings with representatives of the Wielkopolska Regional Government Office and the Poznan City Hall. The guests met with individuals who, with Barka's support, returned from England, and those who are planning on their migration experience to the UK.
The delegation arrived in Poznan on a symbolic date of the 4th of June which is Poland's 20th anniversary of democracy.
Guests were assisted by Chief Executive of Barka UK ( company limited by guarantee).
Delegation's composition:
Richard Blakeway – Director of Housing for the Mayor’s Office in London
Michelle Binfield – Specialist Adviser on Rough Sleeping at Department of Communities and Local Government
Rebecca Pritchard – Specialist Adviser on Rough Sleeping at Department of Communities and Local Government
Jeremy Swain – Chief Executive of Thames Reach
Jenny Edwards – Chief Executive of Homeless Link
Claire Vaughan – Member of rough sleeping delivery team at Department of Communities and Local Government
                            letter from Mr. Swain (part I):::
                            letter from Mr. Swain (part II):::
                                  raport from the visit:::

European Citizen Action Service (ECAS) is organizing a two-day event closing the European “One-stop mobility shops” project.
First part will be the Evening Debate “Free movement of persons in the recession period” (11 May 2009, Brussels). The Conference “Who is responsible for the vulnerable intra-EU migrants and how does the current economic crisis affect them?” will take place on May 12, 2009.
Please find an invitation below.
                                      invitation:::

The Forum of the Polish Cooperation Network
The Forum of the Polish Cooperation Network took place during 21-22 February 2009 in Nottingham. Andrzej Sydoruk and Ewa Sadowska represented Barka UK at the Forum. Over 100 leaders of Polish organizations from England, Scotland and Ireland participated in the event. Consuls of the Republic of Poland from London and Manchester were present as well as representatives of former migrations of Poles in Nottingham : Polish Social Club and the Association of Polish Aviators.
Ewa Sadowska presented Barka UK's projects and Andrzej Sydoruk talked about his path to abstinence and the work with migrants in London.
Barka UK became a member of the Polish Cooperation Network whose aim is to improve the quality of life of Polish migrants in the United Kingdom.

Study visit of NGOs from London in Barka's Network - January 5-8, 2008

Representatives of Broadway and Thames Reach - organizations working with the homeless in London visited Barka's Network. Broadway was represented by Mr. Ian Faulkner – Chairman of the Board and Mr. Howard Sinclair – Chief Executive. Mrs. Petra Salva and Mrs. Kath Dane – Projects' Managers represented Thames Reach.

The program included meetings with the local partnership in Lwowek and a meeting with the village-mayor of the Kwilcz commune - Mrs. Maria Wegrzyn. The guests visited associations and social cooperatives within Barka Network in Chudopczyce, Wladyslawowo and Poznan. An important aspect of the study visit was the meeting with groups of migrants, who came back from London and are currently receiving support from Barka Network including rehabilitation, education and employment. In attachment program of the visit.
                                  program of the visit:::
                                         zdjęcie 1:::
                                         zdjęcie 2:::
                                         zdjęcie 3:::
                                                zdjęcie 4:::

A conference entitled "London's response to the New Migration", organised by Barka UK and partners, European Citizen Action Service and London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham took place on 23 January 2009.

The "London's response to the New Migration" conference was organised within a framework of the European project "One-stop mobility shops". Also within that project Barka Foundation for Mutual Help in Poland and European Citizen Action Service (ECAS) are organising a conference in Warsaw. It will take place on 16 February 2009. We believe the event will be a successful continuation of the conference in London.
                                       programme:::
                                       information:::
                                       biographies:::
                                  Lord Robert's report:::
                                         John's Downie report:::
                                       Alastair's Murray report:::

Conference about migration in Europe!
On January 23^rd, 2009 European Citizen Action Service (ECAS), Barka UK and Hammersmith and Fulham Borough partnership will organize a conference "London Response to the New Migration" within European Project “One-Stop Mobility Shop”.

We invite you to participate in this event! If you are interested in participation please send your letter of application to Ms. Joanna Trautsolt on barka.uk@googlemail.com with postscript “registration” in subject.
                                       invitation:::
                                             programme:::
                                          registration form:::

Raport from study visit in London.
In attachment we give you raport of Katarzyna Bielerzewska form study visit in Barka UK.

                                        raport:::

Meeting of Young Global Leaders
On September 28th, 2008 Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2008 organized by The Word Economic Forum finished. The summit that lasted 4 days took place in Tianjin (China) and was combined with the meeting of Young Global Leaders. During the summit the challenges that China as a economic and political force must face were discussed. The Prime Minister of China, Wen Jiabao, who talked about the role of democracy in socialistic country, took active participation in this meeting. The Young Global Leaders shared their experiences in being a leader and managing the groups of people.
Next year the summit will take place in South Africa.

The ombudsman welcomes to the conference!

The ombudsmadn Dr Janusz Kochanowski invites Tomasz Sadowski for a press conference on September 17th, where the raport of Prof. Hall about the situation of the labour migrants from Poland and A8 countries will be presented.

Lord Roberts is coming to Poland!

On September 30th we will host Lord Roberts from London along with a accompanying group, who would like to get to know the activities of Barka in Poland. On October 3rd Lord Roberts will go to Warsaw for a meeting with the represetnatives of the Chancellery of the Polish Senate.
                          program of the study visit:::

Television "ARTE" will visit "Barka"
On September 15th-16th German TV „Arte” will visit the Barka’s Network to prepare for shooting the program about Barkas’ actions in Poland and abroad. Our guests will visit the organizations associated with the Network and will get to know the educational and employment programs.

The conference „Job for all”
On September 8th-9th the conference under the title “Job for all” took place in the Regional Job Office in Poznan. In the meeting the representatives from local governments and non-governmental organizations form Milan (Italy), Lyon (France), Brussels (Belgium) and Poznan (Poland) participated. The representatives showed good practice in a field of legislation and local politics in favor of employment as well as examples of the real solutions in this matter.
Similar meetings already took place in Brussels and Lyon and at the end of October 2008 the same meeting will take place in Milan.
The program is realized from the funds of European Committee (“PROGRESS”).

ON 6TH SEPTEMBER FORMER FIRST LADY, MS. JOLANTA KWASNIEWSKA, VISITED BARKA UK.
Ms. Jolanta Kwasniewska visited Barka UK at Hackney, in London. The visit was connected with organizing the Polish concert "London Live Festival". On the occasion of that Ms. Kwasniewska’s Foundation "Agreement with no barriers” and Barka UK created a leaflet about the rights of the Poles in Great Britain, which will be distributed through the Polish press in England.
The meeting had very congenial and informal character. First Lady was interested in Barka’s work on the streets of London and in day centers as well as in the difficult process of building the confidence and the bond with the citizens of Poland in the most difficult social situations. Ms. Jolanta emphasized her sympathy to Barka in Poland. She mentioned how often she met the Barkas’ representatives at the most important events all over the world.
The leaders of the self help groups from Barka’s Network in Poland and the members of the Barka UK board also participated in the meeting. There was a press conference afterwards.
Below we attach few pictures from the visit.

                                        1 photo:::
                                               2 photo:::
                                               3 photo:::

MEETING WITH THE CONSUL IN DENMARK
On 5th September there was a meeting with Mr. Piotr Swietach – the Head of the Consular Department - and Mr. Jarosław Mikus – the Secretary of the Consular Department - in the Polish Embassy in Copenhagen.  In the meeting the representatives of the Kofoed’s School and the Barka’s Foundation – Ewa Sadowska, Dagmara Walczyk and Zbigniew Sciana took part. Mr. Ole Melgaard introduced the ideas of the program and the cooperation. He emphasized that the aim is not only to help the Poles, but also to make up a study about the homeless Poles in Copenhagen. The consul expressed his support for his initiative and promised the help in giving the temporary passports for the Poles who will be coming back with Barka.

                                      1 photo:::
                                                   2 photo:::

A NEW BARKA’S PROJECT HAS STARTED IN DENMARK
Three Barkas’ representatives are in Copenhagen at the moment (Ewa Sadowska, Dagmara Walczyk and Zbigniew Sciana). With the beginning of September a new EUROMI project has begun there.  
It is being realized In partnership with the Kofoed’s School – an organization, which nearly for 20 years has been cooperating with the Barka Foundation. After the Senate’s decision about not funding the project which is supporting the Polish migrants in Western Europe countries, the Kofoed’s School decided to finance the Barka’s mission in Denmark.
Within the program the Poles can count on help in coming back to Barkas’ places in Poland and also on the support In the field of receiving an information and counseling.
Below we attach pictures from the visit.
 

                                       1 photo:::
                                       2 photo:::
                                                    3 photo:::

Interview with Ewa Sadowska
Read an interview with Ewa Sadowska, Director of Barka UK, about support organized by Barka UK for Polish labour migrants in UK.
                                   interview:::

Barka starts work in next London boroughs?
On Friday the 11th of July Barka has been asked to start a support pilot project for migrants from Central and Eastern Europe in the next borough of London (Brent). Representatives of the Brent local government and police will visit Barka Network in Poland 18–20.08.2008.          study visit itinerary:::

Barka fights for support for its activities for Polish migrants
Barka has started negotiations with Foreign Affairs Ministry in Warsaw and Polish Consulate in London which aim at canceling charges for issuing temporary passports for persons in critical socio-economical situations with whom Barka works. Also Barka Board has issued a letter to Polish Parliament Speaker Mr. Bogdan Borusewicz about 8-month-long lack of financial support from Polish Senate for Barka’s activities in London helping Polish migrants what “lays a shade on Polish programme of securing citizens”.

Windsor consultations on migrants' housing problems
On the 26th of June ended three-day long consultations on labour migrants’ housing problems in England organized at Windsor Castle. Consultations gathered 25 experts, leading housing associations’ and local authorities’ representatives, architects and representatives of organizations working for migrants. Ewa Sadowska was representing Barka UK. Suggestions, propositions of changing legislation and implementing new solutions improving living conditions of migrants will be presented to British government.
Second line, sixth from the left: Ewa Sadowska (Barka UK)

Gdańsk Social Economy Conference - a great event of social economy!
The conference will take place on 26 – 28 June 2008. Gdańsk was especially chosen to host this event. As the birthplace of the Solidarity movement and witness to the historic negotiations between Solidarity activists and the communist government in 1980, it is an ideal site to discuss new forms of social solidarity. These reflections are also encouraged by the summing up of the European Social Fund’s EQUAL Community Initiative Programme. The end of the three-year programme raises questions on the future of the social economy in Poland, prospects for its development, and creation of a friendly environment at the local, regional, national and international levels. It is also high time to take a closer look at the results achieved by EQUAL CIP itself. BARKA Foundation was asked to comment achievements of the conference together with Mr. Michał Boni – Polish PM’s advisors’ team head, Mr. Jerzy Hausner – former ministry of labour and social policy well-deserved for the development of social economy in Poland and Mrs. Janina Ochojska – a chairwoman of one of the leading Polish NGOs Polish Humanitarian Organization.
                                    programme of the conference:::

WARNING!!!          WARNING!!!          WARNING!!!
In London works a swindler – Franciszek Milczek – who claims to be a employee of Barka. This person may work with a group of people. This man offers people a help in finding a job and/or a possibility to come back to Poland and cons money out of them. We kindly ask to inform us in case of having contact with this person, having any piece of information or in case of being tricked by person or persons claiming to employees or volunteers of Barka in London.

Ewa Sadowska at the meeting with H. M. Queen of Jordan Rania Al Abdullah
On the 5th of June in the framework of Young Global Leaders programme Ewa Sadowska took part in a Young Global Leaders’ private meeting with H. M. Queen of Jordan Rania Al Abdullah. In the meeting, which took place in London, took part 23 YGL from the all around the world. The subject of the discussion was organizing a study visit of YGL to Jordan and starting a common project for development. Queen Rania underlined an interdisciplinary character of YGL network and a value of connecting different fields of activities (public, non-governmental and business sector as well as media, art and science). Queen encouraged Leaders to put more efforts in order to strengthen YGL network as a community of people tied together by acting for improvement socio – economical conditions in the world.
Queen Rania (formerly Rania Al-Yasin) comes from Palestinian – rooted family. In 1991 she graduated from economics at American university in Cairo and then she started to work in Citibank. In 1993 at the supper she has met Prince Abdullah to whom she has married 5 months later. She is a mother of four children. She is known for her peace activities, she builds bridges between Arab and Western worlds and she fights for rights of women and children in the Near East. Rania is a trustee of many associations and foundations developing educational and entrepreneurship programmes, among others she is a trustee of World Economic Forum and she is a chair of the jury assessing applications of YGL candidates. She is the youngest queen in the world. She was chosen the third the most beautiful women of the world.

Ewa Sadowska visits House of Lords and meets lord Roberts of Llandudno to establish cooperation in UK
On the 3rd of June Ewa Sadowska had a meeting with House of Lords’ representatives in the Parliament: Lord Roberds of Llandudno from liberal democrats and his team. It was a working meeting and aimed at establishment of direction of cooperation between Barka UK and lord Roberts in the framework of labour migrants’ support programme. It has been agreed that lord Roberts will visit Barka’s partnership in boroughs City and Tower Hamlets in the mid June and in September representatives of House of Lords will visit Barka Network in Poland. Lord Llandudno is also interested in cooperation in the framework of building information and counseling points for migrants from Central Europe on airports and Victoria Coach Station.

Next study visit from London in Barka Network
Between the 18th and the 20th of June we will host a study visit from London - sir Julian Rose, Mrs. Jadwiga Łopata, representatives of local government and NGOs from London Borough of Tower Hamlets with whom we collaborate in London.
study visit itinerary>>>
From the left: Ewa Sadowska, sir Julian Rose, Mrs. Jadwiga Łopata

We welcome next - 20! - group of Poles from London
On Saturday the 31th of May 2008 we welcome next group of Polish marginalized labour migrants. 7 persons will visit our organizations gathered in Barka Network and learn about our programmes. Then they will make decisions about their future in Barka Network.

Seventh European Meeting of People Experienced Poverty ended!
Seventh European Meetings of People Experiencing Poverty ended on the 17th of May 2008. Among people experiencing poverty gathered at the Meeting were representatives of Barka Foundation and Barka School.

World Economic Forum and Young Global Leaders meetings - welcome to the gallery!
We invite you to watch our gallery with pictures made at World Economic Forum for Near East hosted this year by Egyptian resort Sharm el-Sheik from the 18th to 20th of May 2008. One of the invitees was Ewa Sadowska, Foundation Barka Board Secretary, Barka UK Director and Young Global Leader 2008.  gallery>>>

Words of sorrow from our friends in France and Holland

I have received information about death of Grzegorz when I was at school, during a break. Now I am writing from home. I can’t get through to Drezdenko, for sure they are very busy organizing a funeral. When? In our school we will devote whole Thursday to Grzegorz in Liceum La Vernet La Varenne: in the morning pupils and teachers in small groups will prepare an afternoon mass. Later on we all will recall various moments spent with Grzegorz in our place and in Poland, we will watch photos. After the mass conducted by Bishop there will be a meal cooked by pupils who had a practice in Marszewo’s kitchen. In our thoughts and hearts we are all with Barka’s family in grief! I quess the best proof of our loyalty given to Grzegorz will be our eagerness to serve the most disadvantaged even harder now!
We send the warmest hugs,
Martine and Marja (France)

Dear all,
Information about Grzegorz’s death shocked and saddened us. Two weeks ago we visited him in Drezdenko, he made impression of a man who had reconciled himself with his fate and with faith had taken new challenges. It is hard to imagine that he is no longer among the living. Dear beloved, we give you all our sincere words of sympathy and we connect ourselves with you in prayers for his soul. Lets hope Merciful God will receive his noble soul to rest in peace.
Tereska and Jeroen van de Loo (Holland)

Barka UK’s representatives in the House of Lords
On the 13^th of May representatives of Barka UK (John Downie, James Morris and Ewa Sadowska) and two representatives of an umbrella organization Homeless Link took part in a meeting in the House of Lords on an invitation of Lord Roberts of Llandudno from liberal democrats. The aim of the meeting was to discuss the biggest challenges of new labour migration to UK, Barka UK activities for support of Central and Eastern European citizens in the scope of counseling, employment and returns, statistical data and Homeless Link recommendations. During the meeting sir Roberts of Llandudno expressed a will to visit Barka Network’s programmes in Poland. The study visit will be possible to organize in the September this year.

Report from study visit in Barka UK

We invite you to read a report from a study visit done by our French friends in Barka UK in London. Martine Wendzinski and Marja Vainola learnt how does Barka UK work for marginalized Polish labour migrants. Read their impressions gathered in a report!
                                     read a report:::

We welcome next - 19! - group of Poles from London
On Saturday the 17th of May 2008 we welcome next group of Polish marginalized labour migrants. 7 persons will see our organizations gathered in Barka Network and learn about our programmes. Then they will make decisions about their future in Barka Network.

We have lost our friend and one of the Barka leaders Grzegorz Niewolny
On Saturday the 10^th of May at 9 p.m. passed away our dear friend and one of the Barka leaders Grzegorz Niewolny – a man of a great heart and of great eagerness to help people. Grzegorz was one of those who contributed the most in building EuroMI project - he was working with great engagement in Dublin and London to help Polish labour migrants to stand back on their feet. We will all deeply miss him.
The funeral takes place on the 15th of May at 1.30 p.m. in Drezdenko, Lord's Transfiguration Church, Szkolna Street

Memoir from Zbyszek Januszewicz’ funeral
On the 1st of May in Lwówek we have said goodbye to Zbyszek Januszewicz, our friend and untiring driver who had saved 100 human lives by driving a bus with passengers from London to Poland. His engagement and devotion was appreciated by Barka community houses’ inhabitants, migrants and employees. In the funeral took part over 50 people.

Words of sorrow from our partners in London
Dear Ewa,
On behalf of the Upper Room Board of Directors and the staff of the Upper Room, we are sorry to hear of the loss of your driver this past week.  We will pray for him and his family, and especially his Barka family because we know you all have had a big impact on his life.
We pray that God will be merciful and provide a better place for him in eternal live. Blessings to you and your family. If there is anything you need or help, give me a call.
Sincerely,
Bruce Marquart, Project Manager The Upper Room

Pictures from Polish - French project in Barka Network: http://www.eauetpaysages.com/Barka.html
Youth from French highschool La Vernet La Varenne (40 persons with teachers) spent 2 weeks in March in Barka Network centres in Wielkopolska region. During the visit young people engaged themselves in Barka Network programmes, e.g.: work in farms, in kindergartens, associations, social coops, Centres of Social Integration. The aim was to establish stable cooperation for student exchange in the Barka Network programmes’ framework. Coming back home young people admitted that “Time spent in Poland started an inner change and led to reflection over life”.

We welcome Poles from London and Kopenhagen
Today at 10 a.m. we have welcomed a group of Polish marginalized labour migrants from London and a man from Kopenhagen brought to Poznań by Kopenhagen City Hall representatives who have stayed in Barka to discuss future cooperation in the EuroMI project framework. Welcome!

„Polish Express” about Ewa Sadowska

We invite you to read an interview with Ewa Sadowska, an EuroMI coordinator, in reference to nominating her Global Leader