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WHAT: Lech Walesa, famed leader of the Solidarity Movement, Nobel laureate and former president of Poland, will discuss globalization during a lecture at Florida International University.
The lecture is part of the Ruth K. and Shepard Broad Distinguished Lecture Series of the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) and is co-organized by the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Poland and FIU’s Polish Lecture Series.
Today, Walesa oversees the Lech Walesa Institute, whose mission is to support democracy and local governments in Poland and throughout the world. Among its projects, the institute maintains an internet portal “Solidarity with Cuba,” which serves as a gateway of information on the opposition movement in Cuba and Cuban civil society.
Walesa’s lecture comes at a time when uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt have sparked similar protests across the Middle East, bringing comparisons to the fall of communism in Eastern Europe two decades ago. Walesa played a key role in Poland’s transition from communism to democracy.
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 11, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
To RSVP, please click here.
Members of the media: Please fill out this media credential form to cover this event.
WHERE: School of International and Public Affairs Broad Auditorium at Florida International University’s Modesto A. Maidique Campus, 11200 S.W. 8th St., Miami.
WHO: Walesa was born on September 29, 1943 in Popowo, Poland. In 1967, after completing military service, he moved to the city of Gdansk in search of work. Since that moment, his life has been tied to Gdansk, the Solidarity Movement and the transformation of Poland.
In 1980, Walesa led the shipyard strike, which gave rise to a wave of strikes over much of Poland. The authorities were forced to capitulate and negotiate the Gdansk Agreement, which gave workers the right to strike and organize independent unions. In December 1981, fearing Soviet armed intervention, the government imposed martial law, suspending Solidarity, arresting its leaders, and interning Walesa. In October 1983, the announcement of Walesa’s Nobel Prize raised the spirits of the Solidarity movement.
As economic conditions worsened throughout the 1980s, the government was forced to negotiate with Walesa and his Solidarity colleagues. The result was the holding of parliamentary elections, which, although limited, led to the establishment of a non-communist government.
In December 1990, Walesa became the first democratically elected president of Poland. His years in office witnessed difficult economic transformation and the struggle for political change. His major achievements include the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Poland, a substantial reduction of the foreign debt, recovering documents of the Katyń massacre, as well as commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising.
Walesa has remained a spokesman for the Polish cause on the international arena. He strived towards Poland’s accession into NATO and the EU. In 1995, he founded the Lech Walesa Institute.
Today, Walesa continues his mission as the propagator of solidarity. While traveling the globe, he reminds the whole world of the Polish example and the non-violent struggle for peace and democracy.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please contact FIU’s School of International and Public Affairs at 305-348-7266.
Media Contact: Madeline Baró at 305-348-2234.
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I was a bit suprised that the Noble Prize winning welder from Gdansk, head of Solidarinosc and grandfather to many children is alive and kicking! God bless you Lech! You truly were a brave and remarkable man considering what the Bolshevik psychopaths did to father Jerszy and the 16-17 thousand Polish intelligensia and officers murdered in the Katyn Forrest.
I cannot even imagine the courage and determination it took to carry out and follow through with what you've accomplished. I am referring to the Polish People, taking on the bloody Boshevik bear i.e. the soviet Union. It was truly scary and courageous what you did; not only for the Polish people; but for workers and people all over the world. You accomplished what Chopin and Thaddeus Kosczusko never could get done but died before Poland finally was free of foreign tyrants. I supppose Pope John Paul made the transition a bit easier.
If I had my father's sausage maker still available and my papa was alive, I'd invite you to my house for some home made "kielbasa " and a shot of good old Zubrovka vodka with the bison straw in it and piece of homemade babka for desert. I wish my dad were alive to meet you He would be overjoyed to honor you and your family. He spoke beautiful Polish and did my grandparents. You make us all proud of being Polish-Americans.
nanana
The event is free and open to the public. NOT TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT A HORRIBLE ORGANIZATION! SHAME ON YOU!
I am just coming out from the attempt to look at this very interesting and motivating lecture. I applause the FIU's effort for continue bringing such kind of personalities of various backgrounds and continue supporting the well-known diversity within the campus.
Drawbacks: I got there at right before 7 and the Auditorium was already packed and I couldn’t go in (regardless I had RSVP in advance). Everyone was sent to 2 rooms, very nice indeed, but with an awful Audio. We could barely hear what he said. Everyone was trying to see which of the rooms was lauder but half of the people (including me) left before he finished since there was not point to remain watching a soundless video.
Please, next time proof your equipment and connections in advance.
2. Why not broadcasting the lecture on one of the FIU sites? we could have logged on and follow the lecture on the internet. Even from the computers on each room and have that signal as a backup. Thanks.