LISNews: Librarian Blog Since 1999

I had one of the most amazing opportunities! I got to hear the first democratically elected president of Poland speak to a crowd of several hundred people. He may have been Time Magazine's 1982 Man of the Year, but to listen to him (via an interpreter) one would think you were having coffee with your grandfather at the dining room table.

Lech Walensa, this former electrician from Gadansk, received a standing ovation reception before he even started to speak. He began with a small history lesson, and to show how much I paid attention in World Civ., I never knew Poland didn't exist on world maps for 120 years. He said that when Communism came to Poland, the country tried to tell other world leaders that this system would not endure. "And then we were granted a gift from Heaven. The Vatican elected a Polish Pope!" Oh, how the audience chortled!

He told of how 90% of the world's wealth is held by 10% of its population and of how he watched the U.S. presidential elections and was sure we would have two presidents at the same time! Presidential job-sharing...what a concept. He also stated what many of us already know: the Chinese are starved for democracy. As recently as 25 years ago, the U.S. provided hope to the rest of the world that they, too, could have democracy...could have democratic elections and representatives. One cannot provide hope when keeping the rest of the world in order.

When asked if he ever had any doubts about the outcome of the Solidarity movement he said "a leader cannot have doubts. I KNEW we had a chance." What the Polish people didn't count on was economic implosion as a result of bringing down the communist rule in their country.

Now, in an age of globalization, President Walesa said territories need larger organizational structures. He cited the European Union as one such structure to keep an eye on. "First we have the United States of AMerica, then we will see the United States of Europe. LAter we may have the United States of Asia....everyone is going to need to adopt a global approach to ecology." And again, the crowd erupted with applause. These are things we know have to happen but haven't any idea how to get from here to there. He did say there should be some aspects of life that are not globalized...his wife was on that list! :-)

He attributed much of his and his country's success to his faith and had no end of praise for Pope John Paul II, with whom he had a great friendship. He called on everyone to participate in their governance because everyone matters. Toward the end, and I will remember this statement always, he said, "When fighting is no longer profitable, what matters then is the business." The transactions - the relationships - between countries, companies, individuals...those are sustainable.