The European visitors were particularly interested in the experience of Polish and Slovak communities in the U.S. in their adaptation to American democratic society. They also sought ways to forge links between Polish and Slovak American communities and their ancestral homelands to stimulate an increase in civic participation by drawing on their common traditions and values and their experiences in both worlds.
Other attendees included Representative Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), also representing the Anastasia Fund, David Beckwith, Executive Director of the Needmore Fund, Al Baldwin of the Great Lakes Consortium, Ramon Perez of North Toledo United and Julia Bertalan of the ECON (European Community Organizing Network).
The group agreed to develop a communication network to plan future meetings and explore joint projects. A fall meeting is planned.
For more information, contact Virginia Skrzyniarz at 313.733.4535
or by email at [email protected].
