Meeting at the Etz Chaim School for Dialogue between Cultures

The mission of the Etz Chaim School for Dialogue between Cultures in Wroclaw resembles the thinking of an elite group of philosophers, which included one of the most outstanding Polish educators – Janusz Korczak. He shared his views with, for example, Alexander Neill’s Summerhill School, Sigmund Freud’s outspoken disciple,Wilhelm Reich, and Martin Buber, who recognised interpersonal dialogue as the best, natural method of therapy. As one of the major thinkers of the twentieth century, Janusz Korczak saw the child not only as the adult’s equal and partner in dialogue but also as a healer who, with their natural spirit of love, respect and partnership is able to free humanity from the nightmare of violence, greed and selfishness. Etz Chaim School for Dialogue between Cultures is an intimate space which gives children a sense of security and warmth. It teaches respect for the symbols of different nationalities and cultures, fostering the values of Jewish culture and educating them in the spirit of tolerance for others. The school integrates children of different faiths and ethnic origins, and instills values that they then take out into the world where, free from stereotypes, they promote tolerance, break down barriers, and have minds open to the entire world in all its colours. I’m so pleased that my books – where good wins out, people become friends or fall in love whatever their social status, place of birth, religion or nationality – have been such a hit with children, and that my books have been so appreciated by people with open hearts and minds who believe that, regardless of circumstances and despite the pessimists, civilisation has the chance for the good of the planet, to move in the right direction. The amazingly clever and sensitive children at the Etz Chaim school for Dialogue between Cultures in Wroclaw are a perfect example of how divisions between people just don’t exist and that true humanity has no nationality, religion or ideology. I’d like to say a big ‘Thank You’ to Aleksandra Klitgaard for inviting me and organising such a wonderful stay in Wroclaw.