| The National Europe Centre and the Embassy of the Republic of Poland invite you to a symposium entitled 'The Democratic Breakthrough: 20 Years after the June 1989 Elections in Poland'.
Tuesday 7 July 2009, 9.30 – 14.00
APCD Lecture Theatre, Hedley Bull Building (130, Corner Liversidge St & Garran Road), the ANU
RSVP by Friday 3 July 12.00pm - E: europe@anu.edu.au
This year Poland celebrates the 20th anniversary of the fall of communism. The process of democratic transformation in Central and Eastern Europe that culminated in the domino-like fall of communist regimes during the “Autumn of the Peoples” of 1989, had been initiated in Poland by three breakthrough events: The Round Table agreements (April 6), the first in the Soviet bloc contested elections (4-18 June) won by the Solidarity’s coalition, and the establishment of the first non-communist government (6-12 September). The breakthrough had paved the way for democratic transformation by forming a model of transition that was subsequently – and very successfully – applied in the region. The effectiveness of this model – which combined a negotiated, peaceful method of change with the liberal democratic content and direction – allowed for a swift acceleration of change and its re-direction from mere “perestroika-type” reforms to a systemic transition into freedom and democracy. The seminar will recall the Polish road to the elections and assess their impact on the end of a communist rule in Europe and developments in Poland since then. It will also present the reactions and support given to the Solidarity movement and Polish transformation after 1989 in Australia.
Programme
09.30
Formal Welcome
Prof. Simon Bronitt, Director, National Europe Centre, ANU
Opening Address
HE Andrzej Jaroszynski, Ambassador of Poland in Australia
Part One; Witnesses to History
Moderator: John Kerin, CSIRO Board Member
Michael Danby, MP, Senator Gary Humphries, Bill Stefaniak, former MLA
Coffee break -11.15 -11.30
Part Two;
Moderator: Dr Stefan Markowski, National Europe Centre Visiting Fellow
In Poland anything is possible, even changes for the better 1989-2009
Prof. Martin Krygier, University of New South Wales
The breakthrough – Polish elections in June 1989
Prof. Jan Pakulski, University of Tasmania
One summer in Gdansk – Poland’s leadership in transition from the socialist property model
Prof. Murray Raff, University of Canberra
Poland and the collapse of communism
Dr James Jupp, Australian National University
Poland and transformation in East and Central Europe
Dr Robert F. Miller, Australian National University
The contribution of the Polish intelligentsia to the breakthrough of 1989
Dr Tracey Rowland, John Paul II Institute in Melbourne
Closing Remarks
Prof. Simon Bronitt
Lunch -13.00-14.00 | 
