German-Polish Relations

The relations between the two countries need to be placed on a broader basis in society - strengthening the interest in the neighbouring country, deepening the knowledge of each other's history and society as well as increasing the commitment for a fruitful exchange between the two countries, expanding trans-national relations. Considering the grave injuries caused by war, oppression and the consequences of war, much understanding, trust and commitment must still be created and consolidated. The signals of reconciliation, which responsible politicians on both sides have sent out, must be broadly anchored in both countries' societies.
Therefore the issue of German-Polish relations is an important subject for schools, universities, adult education and the media in both countries.

Thanks to the Erich Brost Foundation's support, the Friedrich Ebert Foundation Library is able to provide Internet users, especially in Germany and Poland, with a large number of digital full texts, literary references and other information. The Friedrich Ebert Foundation has always been particularly committed to German-Polish relations - both in Germany and in Poland.
A multitude of exchange programmes for students, scientists, trade unionists and journalists as well as the opening of an office in Warsaw in 1990 has promoted an open and neighbourly relationship between Germans and Poles.

All rights for the publication of the full texts presented here lie with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation or have been granted to us. In some cases, however, we were not able to determine who holds certain rights. If any holder of rights becomes known at a later date, we will endeavour to obtain their permission.
We are particularly delighted about having gained the assent of the Brunswick-based Georg Eckert Institute to present a selection of publications by the German-Polish Textbook Commission here in digital form. The work of the German-Polish Textbook Commission certainly may serve as an example for what the relations between two countries can look like.
The authors and editors of the publications are responsible for their content, and the publications may not always reflect positions held by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.

In order to offer the user as clear an arrangement as possible, the structure of the topics and the selection of full texts and literary references has been organized in line with periods of time and subject-related aspects, but also in line with the inventory of the foundation's library - titles in the literary references may be borrowed by means of inter-library lending.
Not only the publications documenting the atrocities of World War II, but also a selection of titles from the 1920s convey an impression of the long road that led to the Warsaw Treaty of 1970 and Poland's accession to the EU in 2004.

In regards to this topic, the Friedrich Ebert Foundation Library also is highly interested in conducting a dialogue with users - particularly in Germany and Poland, but in other countries as well. Criticism and suggestions submitted by users are to have an impact on the updating and further development of this subject module.
Therefore the explanatory texts have not only been translated into English, but also into Polish. Besides mostly German-language publications, some English and several Polish-language publications have also been chosen.

(Text in polnischer Sprache/ Text in Polish language/ Tekst w języku polskim)

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Rainer Gries
Deputy Manager of the Library of
the Friedrich Ebert Foundation