Aims
Amidst the recent war and migration crisis, the project’s primary objectives are to address the United Nations guidelines for creating welcoming and inclusive societies as outlined in the Integration Handbook (UNHCR Refugee Policy). Therefore, this project, funded by Scotland’s Future Series, centres on the heritage of the Polish diaspora in Scotland, tracing its origins to Polish soldiers who resettled in Scotland after World War II due to Soviet repression and the persecution of pro-democracy Poles. While commemorating their memory, the focus is on their subsequent generations born and raised in Scotland, providing a valuable multigenerational case study of successful integration.
Community-led
The project aims to develop a community-led, comprehensive framework for managing the refugee integration process through the legacy of the Polish diaspora in Scotland, focusing on integrating refugees into local communities.
Art, heritage & stories
The art, artefacts, and heritage of the Polish diaspora, held in private collections, and museums, and evident in the landscape, catalyse discussions about the experiences of Polish soldiers and their integration process in Scotland.
Inherited trauma
Through reflections on heritage, the project investigates inherited trauma as a genetic legacy and examines how memories of war and refugee experiences have persisted in their new lives. It explores the impact of these experiences on their descendants and, through them, on Scottish society.
Fostering unity
The project aims to foster a society that better reflects the experiences and contributions of all its members, highlighting the nation’s commitment to recognising and honouring its past. It seeks to learn from that past, regardless of the origins of its citizens.
Collective Heritage
By exploring the legacy of the Polish diaspora in Scotland as part of a collective heritage and through the lens of individual experiences, we gain deeper insights into how war and refugee status shape the identities of subsequent generations, potentially challenging official narratives. This project seeks to understand the full integration process of war refugees into society and to extract valuable lessons for integrating present-day war refugees in Scotland, with a focus on their own culture and both tangible and intangible heritage. This community-driven knowledge is invaluable for shaping future policies and initiatives that promote mutual respect among Scotland’s diverse population.
Long-term benefits
The project also aims to support a society that better reflects the experiences and contributions of all its members, highlighting the nation’s commitment to recognising and honouring its past, and learning from that past, regardless of its citizens’ origins.
