Society for Universal Knowledge in Warsaw

Towarzystwo Wiedzy Powszechnej (TWP), translated as the Society for Universal Knowledge, is a Polish public-benefit educational organization founded on 5 May 1950 by a decree of the Council of Ministers. It was created to replace the dissolved Towarzystwo Uniwersytetu Robotniczego i Ludowego (Society of the Workers' and People's University) and the cultural-educational institute of the 'Czytelnik' cooperative. Its statute was granted by a further Council of Ministers decree on 4 December 1959. The decision to establish the society was signed by Prime Minister Józef Cyrankiewicz. TWP's core mission is educational and enlightenment work among adults, youth and children, including methodological support for teachers and the development of practical skills among adults. It pursues this through lectures, exhibitions, clubs of interest, and especially through the so-called 'universal universities' (wszechnice). The first such university was organized in 1956 in Bydgoszcz by Professor Kazimierz Sośnicki; by the late 1950s around 500 similar institutions were operating across Poland, mainly in rural areas, and certificates were issued upon completion of their courses. Organizationally, TWP was originally structured along Poland's administrative divisions, with voivodeship and county boards, a National Congress every four years, a Presidium as the executive organ of the Main Board, and a Secretariat led by a Secretary-General. After 1989 many boards ceased activity, and the organization was restructured under a new statute adopted in 1992 and sanctioned in 1994 by the 11th National Congress of Delegates. In the late 1990s TWP gained full independence from the state. Today its administration is based in Warsaw at the Palace of Culture and Science, and it continues to operate a network of branches, schools and educational institutions across Poland.

Towarzystwo Wiedzy Powszechnej (TWP) was established on 5 May 1950 by a decree of the Council of Ministers of Poland, replacing the dissolved Towarzystwo Uniwersytetu Robotniczego i Ludowego (Society of the Workers' and People's University) and the cultural-educational institute of the 'Czytelnik' cooperative. The founding decision was signed by Prime Minister Józef Cyrankiewicz. Its statute was granted by a Council of Ministers decree on 4 December 1959. The society's main purpose was enlightenment and educational activity among adults, youth and children, as well as methodological work among teachers and the development of practical skills among adults. It organized lectures, exhibitions and clubs of interest. A key instrument was the so-called 'universal university' (wszechnica). The first universal university was organized in 1956 in Bydgoszcz, founded by Professor Kazimierz Sośnicki. By the late 1950s, about 500 such institutions were operating throughout Poland, mainly in rural localities, and certificates were issued upon completion of their courses. Originally, TWP's structure mirrored the administrative division of the country: voivodeship boards operated in each voivodeship and county boards in most counties. The highest statutory authority was the National Congress, held every four years, preceded by voivodeship and county congresses. The executive organ of the Main Board was the Presidium. Day-to-day work was directed by a Secretariat comprising a Secretary-General and one to three Secretaries, supported by a large staff. At voivodeship level, a secretary headed the full-time staff; at county level, a secretary led the board's work. All levels were dependent on central decisions and implemented their resolutions and guidelines. After 1989, this situation changed. Many boards ceased their activity, and organizational changes followed a new statute adopted in 1992, which was finally sanctioned in 1994 by the 11th National Congress of Delegates. The statutory organs remained congresses of members, while the executive organs became the Supreme Council (Rada Naczelna) and the Main Board (Zarząd Główny) at the central level. In the late 1990s, TWP gained full independence from the state. Its administration is currently located in Warsaw at the Palace of Culture and Science. The society continues to operate a network of branches, schools and educational institutions across Poland.

• 1994

  New statute sanctioned by the 11th National Congress of Delegates.

• 1992

  New statute adopted as part of post-1989 organizational changes.

• 1990

  Late 1990s: TWP gained full independence from the state.

• 1959

  Statute granted by decree of the Council of Ministers on 4 December.

• 1956

  First universal university (wszechnica) organized in Bydgoszcz by Professor Kazimierz Sośnicki.

• 1950

  Founded on 5 May by decree of the Council of Ministers, replacing the dissolved Towarzystwo Uniwersytetu Robotniczego i Ludowego and the 'Czytelnik' cultural-educational institute.

A nationwide Polish non-profit educational society offering accessible knowledge and skills training to broad audiences, historically linked to the state and now independent.

• Universal universities (wszechnice)

  Adult education institutions offering lectures and courses; about 500 existed by the late 1950s, mainly in rural areas.

• TWP schools and educational centers

  Network of schools and educational institutions operated by TWP across Poland.

1. 1TWP | Towarzystwo Wiedzy Powszechnejtwp.pl
2. 2Towarzystwo Wiedzy Powszechnej w Warszawie - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Общество всеобщего знания (Польша) - Wikipediaru.wikipedia.org