Our Purpose & Mission
Promoting a Legacy That Matters
INSTYTUT JANA OLSZEWSKIEGO was established with a clear and enduring purpose: to promote the achievements and person of Prime Minister Jan Olszewski, to foster patriotic attitudes and the spirit of independence among Poles, and to advance Christian-social thought as a foundation for public life in Poland.
We believe that the values Jan Olszewski embodied — truth, courage, sovereignty, and service to the nation — are not merely historical artefacts. They are living principles that Poland needs today, and that future generations must inherit and carry forward.
"Our mission is to ensure that the life and legacy of Jan Olszewski — statesman, lawyer, patriot — remains a living source of inspiration for all those who love Poland and believe in her sovereignty, dignity, and Christian heritage."
What Our Foundation Stands For
Promoting the Person of Jan Olszewski
We document, research, and widely disseminate knowledge about the life, career, and political thought of Prime Minister Jan Olszewski. His story is one of courage, integrity, and unwavering commitment to Poland — and it deserves to be known by every Pole.
Fostering Patriotic Attitudes
We actively promote love of Poland, respect for its history, and a sense of civic duty among citizens of all ages. Patriotism, as understood by Jan Olszewski, is not nationalism — it is a deep and responsible love for one's homeland and its people.
Advancing Independence
We stand for a Poland that is genuinely sovereign — politically, economically, and culturally. We promote the idea that Poland's decisions must be made in Warsaw, by Poles, for the benefit of the Polish nation, free from external pressure or domination.
Christian-Social Thought
We promote the tradition of Christian social teaching as a framework for public life, governance, and civic responsibility. This tradition, deeply rooted in Polish culture, offers a vision of society built on human dignity, solidarity, and the common good.
Historical Truth & Memory
We support the honest examination of Poland's modern history, including the communist period and the transition to democracy. We believe that a nation which knows its past is better equipped to shape its future with wisdom and justice.
Education & Civic Engagement
We invest in the education of young Poles, helping them understand their country's history, the importance of civic participation, and the values that have sustained Poland through its most difficult chapters.
The Foundation of Our Work
Pillar I — The Legacy of Jan Olszewski
Jan Olszewski's life is a testament to what it means to serve Poland with honour. As a lawyer who defended dissidents under communism, as a Prime Minister who sought to expose the crimes of the past, and as a statesman who never compromised his principles, he set a standard of public service that remains a beacon for all Poles. Our foundation exists, first and foremost, to ensure his story is told, remembered, and honoured.
Pillar II — Patriotism & Independence
Poland's independence was hard-won and must never be taken for granted. Our foundation promotes a patriotism that is thoughtful, responsible, and rooted in genuine love for Poland and its people. We believe that sovereignty — the right of Poles to determine their own future — is the foundation of all other freedoms, and we work to ensure this principle remains alive in Polish public life.
Pillar III — Christian-Social Thought
The Christian tradition has been the backbone of Polish identity for over a thousand years. Christian-social thought offers a vision of public life grounded in human dignity, solidarity, subsidiarity, and the common good. Our foundation promotes this tradition not as a relic of the past, but as a living and relevant framework for addressing the challenges of contemporary Polish society.
"The truth about the past is not a weapon against anyone — it is the foundation on which a just Poland can be built."— Jan Olszewski