PECA and PSS Belfast met to develop their vision for the next 5 years. The meeting was held in Shaftsbury Community Recreational Centre, on Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Facilitated by Dr. Scott Boldt, the board members discussed their hopes and priorities as well as challenges to be overcome. A productive and encourageing meeting which was well attended and thought provoking.
 Mission and Vision
Polish Educational and Cultural Association and Polish Saturday School.
The Mission of PECA is to be a visible presence and voice of the Polish community in Belfast, providing practical support (i.e. information, advice, opportunities, social connections) to Polish people as well as serving as a representative of the Polish community to statutory and voluntary organisations and agencies. Its mission is to promote Polish culture and serve the Polish community, including helping people to learn English and be knowledgable about local history and culture.
The Mission of the Saturday School is to preserve and promote Polish identity and culture for young people positively, sensitively and flexibly, so they know and appreciate their culture and are prepared sufficiently in the language if they were to return to the Polish educational system.
The Vision for PECA for the following year is:
- To secure funding for the Association.
- To employ 2 part-time Project workers or 1 full-time worker.
- To obtain an office as a base for PECA and develop the web-site.
- To recruit 10 volunteers.
- To create 2-3 support groups
- To host 3 cultural events
- To seek recognition from the Polish government
The Vision for the Saturday School in 5 years is:
- To be here
- To have secure accommodation
- To have smaller classes â maximum 20 students
- To have support teachers/counsellors
- To have older/past students involved
- To be part of a network of Polish schools in Northern Irelandwith training available for teachers
- To offer cultural visits to Poland
- To reward teachers
- To offer students a certificate that is recognised in Poland
IF the opportunity arises, the Vision may change and be focused on setting up a formal school within the educational system.
Who is Dr. Scott Boldt?
Scott was most recently employed by Edgehill Theological College as the Reconciliation Officer, where he lectured to a broad audience on integration and moving beyond troubled history. He has written several books on education and has been worked in an alternative education project, “Big Picture Schools”. He is now involved in a start-up Culture and Arts magazine and television production.
Sincere thanks to the Shaftsbury Community Recreational Centre for permitting us to meet in their building.
