Look Who it Was Random video

Aleksander Smolar - Providing a forum for political debate (79/201)

95 views · Published 18 December 2018 · 1:20 · Indexed 21 October 2026

Channel: Web of Stories - Life Stories of Remarkable People · 2018 · News & Politics

Watch on YouTube

To listen to more of Aleksander Smolar’s stories, go to the playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVV0r6CmEsFwlxPLurqAOCrabBgGrqLA7

Aleksander Smolar (b. 1940) is a Polish writer, political activist and adviser, vice-president of the Institute for Human Sciences and president of the Stefan Batory Foundation. [Listener: Vitek Tracz]

TRANSCRIPT: I’d like to promote a comprehensive analysis, modest though my means are. Not in any attempt to find common ground with the authorities, although we do invite people who are close to the powers that be; those who are more open and intellectually-minded do come to us. On one occasion, both of the Kaczyńskis came to give a lecture supported by the Foundation. Other outstanding politicians have also come although it was more natural for them to be there, but even these two… So we’re open to the idea while at the same time we are polemical – I’m sorry – in relation to people we are open and welcome them with respect. This means that they know that they‘re coming to us, they’re not exposed to aggression and will be treated civilly and given the opportunity to talk. At the same time, we have a very definite stance and I never – in some sense this is the status that I have won for myself meaning that even though I head a non-governmental organisation, no one questions the fact that I also participate, and take up very clear positions – in public debates where I make it very clear what kind of a Poland I’m for and what kind I’m against.

More from this channel