On becoming an adult educator in Poland

The process of the development of the adult educator profession in Poland differed
from models and solutions present in other Western countries. There were mainly two
reasons for this. Firstly, lack of state independence and a need for patriotic educational work
for raising national awareness resulting from it. Secondly, it sought its theoretical background
in pedagogy (educational work) and not in psychoanalysis. Thus, in Poland a concept of
socio-cultural work, alongside with charitable work, contributed to the formation of a new
profession that required a commitment to preserving national identity and became an agent of
social development. At first, an activist, who can be called a freedom fighter, carried out the
tasks. In the first years after 1918, when Poland regained its independence, a freedom fighter
became an instructor, and then, after 1925, a professional.