Young
People and Life Skills; Poland's Future
Featuring
the work of a Cornell Cooperative Extension service program leader to
help establish 4-H in Poland.
When Mary Misek thinks back on her year in Poland, it is with fondness for the people and confidence for the future of 4-H there.
Misek is a home economics program leader with Cornell Cooperative Extension in Lewis County, New York. She was Polish American Extension Program (PAEP) team member, then advisor to the Polish 4-H Foundation in 1995. Misek likes what she sees happening with and for Poland's young people.
"Artur Karp, director of the Polish 4-H Foundation, and I did a seminar in May 1995 in Elblag province to introduce 4-H," she said. "In the U.S., people tend to leave when a presentation lasts more than a day. We actually gained people."
In a province where 4-H had already been under way more than a year, a demonstration day was held. Some 250 kids shared their projects with one another.
"One of the most wonderful things I saw," Mary relates," was the difference in the Polish kids before and after their visit to the U.S. as part of the 4-H exchange program.
Marcin Rurys was a perfect example. He's learned to lead his peers and adults so that they can work through issues. He has stature and confidence. That growth will not stop." (See "The Chance of a Lifetime" story.)
Marcin has been elected president of the newly formed All-Poland Junior 4-H Leaders' Club, created by the young people themselves to work on three key areas – communication, decision making and trustworthiness.
"The changes under a democratic system are bringing new life, creativity and vigor to Poland," Misek says.
Misek explained that 4-H meetings in Poland consist of conducting business European style, demonstrating a new skill working on projects and having healthy fun. Polish young people are showing intense interest in environmental protection, job exploration and small business.
Poland is just beginning to form a vision of its potential.
"Life skills are what the young people need," Misek says. "Whether they stay on the farm or seek other careers as Poland moves into the information age and builds its economy, these skills will always stay with them. Young people are Poland's future."