atenean_blooded
Jul 7, 2007, 01:28 AM
From www.ateneo.edu:
‘Nurture student leaders’ – Pres. Kwasniewski
date posted: 2007-07-06 11:18:56
Text and photos by Michelle Camille Correa
http://www.ateneo.edu/ateneo/www/UserFiles/71/2007/june2007/images/kwasniewski.jpg
As president of Poland from 1995 to 2005, Aleksander Kwasniewski is remembered for enacting three key changes in Polish society. First, his leadership paved the way for a new constitution, which strengthened the democratic hallmarks of protection of human rights and balance of power.
Second, he actively campaigned for Poland to become a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), an alliance of 16 Euro-Atlantic countries which strives to maintain democratic freedom through collective defense. Poland’s acceptance to NATO in 1999 bolstered its security.
Third, Kwasniewski instituted key reforms in order for Poland to gain membership in the European Union (EU), Europe’s economic and political union established in 1993. Poland’s membership in 2004 proved to be beneficial especially in the area of foreign and security policy, modernization, and education.
Thus, President Kwasniewski is undoubtedly one of Poland’s great national leaders.
http://www.ateneo.edu/ateneo/www/UserFiles/71/2007/july2007/images/kwasniewski-visit-%284%29.jpg
But before he became the president of Poland, he was first a student leader in the University of Gdansk. He was active in the student’s movement and the school organ. It was probably the best time to hone leadership skills, when Poland’s political climate was characterized by a search for political understanding.
President Kwasniewski, through the partnership of Ateneo de Manila University and PLDT-Smart, visited Ateneo to talk to young student leaders from various Philippine universities on national leadership. The talk, which was the centerpiece of the 2nd Ateneo Manuel V. Pangilinan Center Annual Leadership Forum, was held on July 3, 2007 at the Rev. Henry Lee Irwin Theater, Loyola Heights campus.
http://www.ateneo.edu/ateneo/www/UserFiles/71/2007/july2007/images/kwasniewski-visit-%283%29.jpg
Ateneo Board of Trustees Chairman and PLDT Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan formally opened the event while Ateneo President Bienvenido F. Nebres, SJ, introduced President Kwasniewski. Noted newscaster Tina Monzon-Palma served as master of ceremonies and forum moderator.
http://www.ateneo.edu/ateneo/www/UserFiles/71/2007/july2007/images/kwasniewski-visit.jpg
Leadership and values go hand in hand
President Kwasniewski gave Filipino student leaders valuable examples on how he led Poland to national success. Below are some of his key points:
Choose dialog over conflict
He said that for historical changes to take place, a person must believe in the power of dialog and compromise. For example, during roundtable discussions in Poland when he was president, he learned that resorting to conflict is counterproductive, especially with people of different points of view.
Have vision
He urged the youth to believe in the value of democracy. His personal vision of a democratic Poland inspired him to lead the way for a new constitution for Poland, one that had a better system of human rights protection as well as balance of power between the executive, legislative and judiciary.
Unity in diversity
The President deemed it important to connect the efforts of many people. Poland was able to reach its twin goals of membership to NATO and EU through compromise and dialog despite government leaders’ varied viewpoints.
Maintain good relations with neighboring countries
He stressed the importance of reconciliation with other countries. Like in human relations, strong ties with other countries is important.
Globalization
For the President, globalization is a good thing. He said it enhances communication between nations and peoples through high technology. Moreover, globalization enables countries to work together with the best scientists, universities, experts, and more. He said globalization is a process of change that gives new possibilities, is necessary and is irreversible.
http://www.ateneo.edu/ateneo/www/UserFiles/71/2007/july2007/images/kwasniewski-visit-%285%29.jpg
President Kwasniewski also mentioned six problems the world faces in the 21st century. These are climate change, terrorism, poverty, open and democratic education, democratic governance, and well-educated leaders. These are challenges leaders—young and old—must help fight.
He ended his talk by reminding youth leaders that politics is the art of having the right response to challenges, as well as the art of making decisions.
----------
About the Ateneo Manuel V. Pangilinan Center Annual Leadership Forum
The Ateneo MVP Center Annual Leadership Forum is an annual event that serves as a venue for Ateneo student leaders to come in contact with international leaders from different fields.
The Ateneo MVP Center for Student Leadership was inaugurated on July 25, 2006. On its inaugural year, two of Asia’s prominent business leaders were invited as speakers — Chartsiri Sophonpanich, president of Bangkok Bank in Thailand, and Ronnie Chan, chairman of Hang Lung Properties Limited (Hong Kong).
‘Nurture student leaders’ – Pres. Kwasniewski
date posted: 2007-07-06 11:18:56
Text and photos by Michelle Camille Correa
http://www.ateneo.edu/ateneo/www/UserFiles/71/2007/june2007/images/kwasniewski.jpg
As president of Poland from 1995 to 2005, Aleksander Kwasniewski is remembered for enacting three key changes in Polish society. First, his leadership paved the way for a new constitution, which strengthened the democratic hallmarks of protection of human rights and balance of power.
Second, he actively campaigned for Poland to become a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), an alliance of 16 Euro-Atlantic countries which strives to maintain democratic freedom through collective defense. Poland’s acceptance to NATO in 1999 bolstered its security.
Third, Kwasniewski instituted key reforms in order for Poland to gain membership in the European Union (EU), Europe’s economic and political union established in 1993. Poland’s membership in 2004 proved to be beneficial especially in the area of foreign and security policy, modernization, and education.
Thus, President Kwasniewski is undoubtedly one of Poland’s great national leaders.
http://www.ateneo.edu/ateneo/www/UserFiles/71/2007/july2007/images/kwasniewski-visit-%284%29.jpg
But before he became the president of Poland, he was first a student leader in the University of Gdansk. He was active in the student’s movement and the school organ. It was probably the best time to hone leadership skills, when Poland’s political climate was characterized by a search for political understanding.
President Kwasniewski, through the partnership of Ateneo de Manila University and PLDT-Smart, visited Ateneo to talk to young student leaders from various Philippine universities on national leadership. The talk, which was the centerpiece of the 2nd Ateneo Manuel V. Pangilinan Center Annual Leadership Forum, was held on July 3, 2007 at the Rev. Henry Lee Irwin Theater, Loyola Heights campus.
http://www.ateneo.edu/ateneo/www/UserFiles/71/2007/july2007/images/kwasniewski-visit-%283%29.jpg
Ateneo Board of Trustees Chairman and PLDT Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan formally opened the event while Ateneo President Bienvenido F. Nebres, SJ, introduced President Kwasniewski. Noted newscaster Tina Monzon-Palma served as master of ceremonies and forum moderator.
http://www.ateneo.edu/ateneo/www/UserFiles/71/2007/july2007/images/kwasniewski-visit.jpg
Leadership and values go hand in hand
President Kwasniewski gave Filipino student leaders valuable examples on how he led Poland to national success. Below are some of his key points:
Choose dialog over conflict
He said that for historical changes to take place, a person must believe in the power of dialog and compromise. For example, during roundtable discussions in Poland when he was president, he learned that resorting to conflict is counterproductive, especially with people of different points of view.
Have vision
He urged the youth to believe in the value of democracy. His personal vision of a democratic Poland inspired him to lead the way for a new constitution for Poland, one that had a better system of human rights protection as well as balance of power between the executive, legislative and judiciary.
Unity in diversity
The President deemed it important to connect the efforts of many people. Poland was able to reach its twin goals of membership to NATO and EU through compromise and dialog despite government leaders’ varied viewpoints.
Maintain good relations with neighboring countries
He stressed the importance of reconciliation with other countries. Like in human relations, strong ties with other countries is important.
Globalization
For the President, globalization is a good thing. He said it enhances communication between nations and peoples through high technology. Moreover, globalization enables countries to work together with the best scientists, universities, experts, and more. He said globalization is a process of change that gives new possibilities, is necessary and is irreversible.
http://www.ateneo.edu/ateneo/www/UserFiles/71/2007/july2007/images/kwasniewski-visit-%285%29.jpg
President Kwasniewski also mentioned six problems the world faces in the 21st century. These are climate change, terrorism, poverty, open and democratic education, democratic governance, and well-educated leaders. These are challenges leaders—young and old—must help fight.
He ended his talk by reminding youth leaders that politics is the art of having the right response to challenges, as well as the art of making decisions.
----------
About the Ateneo Manuel V. Pangilinan Center Annual Leadership Forum
The Ateneo MVP Center Annual Leadership Forum is an annual event that serves as a venue for Ateneo student leaders to come in contact with international leaders from different fields.
The Ateneo MVP Center for Student Leadership was inaugurated on July 25, 2006. On its inaugural year, two of Asia’s prominent business leaders were invited as speakers — Chartsiri Sophonpanich, president of Bangkok Bank in Thailand, and Ronnie Chan, chairman of Hang Lung Properties Limited (Hong Kong).