Final – Reflections of Class 41 International Seminar

Class 41 (with the exception of the five fellows that extended their trips in Europe) caught a Saturday morning flight out of Prague, with a connecting flight in Paris that delivered us to L.A.  Although happy to be safely home, we will spend countless moments reflecting back on this amazing trip we shared in Moscow, Kyiv, Krakow, Brno and Prague.  From our first day in Moscow, braving freezing temperatures as we toured Red Square to our final day in Prague, breathlessly keeping up with our enthusiastic tour guide, the collective memories of Class 41’s adventure abroad have already began to be shared with family and friends.  The trip has had a profound impact on our leadership journey.

Our final synthesis during our last evening in Prague provided a time for reflection, celebration, and much due thank you’s.  We greatly appreciate the effort, foresight and guidance of Dr. Michael Thomas in putting together and sharing in our tour of Eastern/Central Europe.   In addition, many thanks to Dr. Lester Young and Dr. Annie King for joining in our experience and providing encouragement and valued input throughout.  As Class 41 reflected back on the comparisons and contrasts of the cultural, political, and economical situations we learned of in the four countries, in addition to the trials and joys of spending 15 days together, we were able to pull out a range of leadership, “followership,” and life lessons.  

Some of the key themes and observations include the importance of tolerance and understanding the significance of perspective; the responsibility of both leaders and followers in cultivating relationships that fully embrace opportunity; the importance of resiliency and optimism in moving beyond fear; and, that life is always about learning.  People are people the world around.  Our individual experiences make us who we are, but our collective humanity unites us.  Recognizing the value, capacity and worth of others through the gathering of information, through stepping out of our own communities, through global awareness will prepare each of us to be ready for the situations when our leadership abilities are called upon. 

Our sincere gratitude is extended to the California Agriculture Leadership Foundation, the Board, and each and every donor that made this trip and our time thus far in CALP possible.  We are grateful to our family, friends, employers, and co-workers for picking up the slack while we were gone.  As we head into our final four months of the program, we will continue to build upon lessons from prior seminars. We found those lessons to be particularly important context for understanding and appreciating everything we experienced in Europe.  As we reflect on this trip, the leadership, followership and life lessons will continue to take root and help us grow as leaders who make a difference.  

Day 13: The Finale in Prague

The final day in Prague started with a visit to the US Embassy. We met with Mike Henney the Agriculture Attaché, his staff, as well as commercial and economic advisors. We were briefed on the current economic and political situations occurring in the Czech Republic and Poland. We were able to explore in more depth land ownership issues, international investment, and the effects of EU policies on Central Europe.

We had a walking tour of the Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral on the other side of the river in the Mala Strana area of Prague. The cathedral was a conglomeration of 6 centuries of construction and architecture. Several fellows chose to walk across the St. Charles Bridge to return to Old Town Prague to our hotel. The St. Charles Bridge is the oldest bridge in Prague with pedestrian access only and an open air market on each side. Following that we had free time to experience downtown Prague before our final synthesis.

Final synthesis was a celebration and sharing of our experiences and personal reflections on this leadership journey. Many of us reviewed our previous perceptions of Eastern and Central Europe and realized that quite a few of them changed dramatically.  Several leadership qualities were discussed ranging from ethics, goals and the discernment of perceptions in these countries.  

Submitted by,

Matt Toste, Christine Ivory, Dan Rodrigues

Czeching out the Czech Republic

This morning we started with a tour of old downtown Brno. Brno is the capital of Moravia in the southern part of the Czech Republic and central Europe.

Our sightseeing included a walking tour of churches, government buildings, and plazas.

Church in Brno

It also included a brief visit to a farmers' market. In this market farmers were selling local potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, parsnips, fresh eggs, and mushrooms, among other locally grown produce.

Farmers' market in old downtown Brno

We then departed for Prague (spelled and pronounced Praha). During the three hour bus ride, the landscape changed from rolling hills reminiscent of central Washington to a more wooded hilly terrain.

As we arrived into Prague, we first encountered a typical metropolis with business parks, including companies like Dell, Oracle, HP, IBM, Caterpillar, etc. Suddenly as we got closer to the center (downtown) of the city we were in awe of the vast panorama of the majesty of Prague.

Downtown Prague

In the afternoon, our tour guide Dorina, a native of Prague, led the group on a walking tour of the historic downtown. The sites we visited are the Powder Gate, the Astronomical Clock, Wenceslas Square, and the Old Town Square. We ended the tour in the Jewish Quarter where we visited a historic Synagogue which is still used by the Jewish community today. The president of Lebanon is on a state visit to the Czech Republic and as we were standing before the Astronomical Clock, his impressive motorcade passed in front of us.

 

The beautiful Prague Cathedral

Submitted by:
Cesar Hernandez
Vernon Peterson
Jorge Suarez

Day 11: On to Czech Republic

Hops Plantations

This morning we said goodbye to Krakow and boarded the bus for a four-hour drive through southern Poland and Moravia, the southern region of Czech Republic. We noticed the infrastructure becoming more modern, and the architecture and layout of towns becoming more familiar to our Western eyes as we crossed the border. We passed by several power plants (coal) and farmland cultivated and ready for spring planting. The Czechs are known for their expertise in brewing beer, and the trellises of hops were a familiar sight to some of us and not so familiar to others.

We ascended into rolling hills as we approached the city of Roznov Pod Radhostem, where we stopped for our first Czech meal before visiting the Wallachian Open Air Museum. Czech meals always have one thing in common – dumplings. Made from flour or potatoes, dumplings are a staple accompaniment to every meal. After our lunch of venison, dumplings and gravy, a local guide led us through the “Little Wooden Town”, which preserves the buildings and furniture of local life from as far back as the 13^th Century. 

For lunch venison, dumplings and gravy

A local craftsman demonstrated some of the traditional skills still used to create whetstones, knives, wooden toys, and items hewn from horn.

We boarded the bus for a second time and made our way to Brno, the capital of the Moravia region. Here we were fortunate to share dinner with guests that included American embassy staff Michael Henney, Agriculture Attaché for Central Europe and the Baltics; Jana Mikulasova, Agricultural Specialist; and Jolanta Figurska, Senior Marketing Specialist. We were also joined by California wine importer Chris Kohlwes and Czech financial consultant Jan Ecer.

Michael Henney shares his experiences with members of Class 41
Photo by Steve Knudsen

Our guests graciously answered our questions about agricultural markets, barriers to trade, immigration, land ownership, how each of the countries we have visited have responded differently to opportunities presented by the EU, and the challenges that come with these opportunities.

Matthew Fisher, Juan Guzman, Stephanie Tillman  

Day 10: Final day in Poland

Day started with Dr. Piotr Tomczyk, Dean of Fuels and Energy faculty at AGH University of science and technology. Vice Rektor (President) George Lis gave us an overview of the university and it's various faculties. AGH has over 35,000 students and has its roots cemented in the mining and metallurgy industries in Poland.  Dr. Tomczyk, highly regarded in Europe for his understanding and expertise on energy related matters, explained what AGH's focus and objectives are with regards to fuel and energy.  Though Poland has over 200 years worth of coal reserves, the University is working with global companies towards developing cleaner burning fuels in accordance with the European Union Road Map 2050. 

After a short break the class re-grouped and boarded the bus.  We traveled about an hour out of Krakow to the former concentration camps known as Auschwitz and Birkenau.  We all expected to feel deep emotions, and that they may overcome us, but even then we were not prepared for what we would see or feel.  After meeting up with our tour guide, we reluctantly walked out into the heavy falling snow.  As we approached the front gate, we paused for a few minutes to observe the cynicism of the words over the main gate, "Arbeit macht frei", which means "work makes (one) free".  

The tour led us through various buildings that housed the former prisoners. From their first arrival to daily life as a prisoner, each room told a story about life in the concentration camp.  The incredible volume of personal artifacts initially discovered at the camp, some of which are on display, depict the mass extermination that took place there.  Each pair of shoes, glasses, toothbrush, or lock of hair represents an individual life.  There were also various images showing how the Nazi's used fear and intimidation to control the prisoners.  After the housing facilities we walked in to the first gas chamber.  Walking through these doors and seeing the scratching on the walls of those who were murdered here made those previously mentioned emotions unravel. 

Our synthesis following the day was honest and raw.  The group was deeply impacted for both the good and bad of what we've seen in Poland.  There was a general theme of tolerance and the need to cultivate healthy relationships amongst people.  Several examples of hatred in the distant and recent past and some even occurring now were discussed in light of what we just saw today.  We observed how the Polish people embrace tolerance and are a great example of mutual respect regardless of their differences.  In summation, a few of our Foundation staff left us with the following quotes:  "Don't be ignorant; be lifelong learners."  "Stand up for what is right even in the small things."  

By:  Joey Mendonca, Todd Snider, Matt Fisher

Day 9: A Journey From Small Farms to Deep Underground

After indulging in the history and culture of Krakow yesterday, we began today with a visit to the Agriculture Advisory Center (CDR), where Class 41 was treated to a series of speakers teaching us about various agencies who support farmers in the state of Malopolska, where Krakow is located. The Center's mission is to raise agricultural income for farmers, enhance the market competitiveness of agricultural holdings, support sustainable development of rural areas and to produce professional agricultural advisors, agricultural school teachers and provide training in best practices, changing regulation and production techniques. Class 41 Fellows heard from the state Director of Agriculture, Environmental Production and Planning. We also heard from the President of the Small Agriculture Chamber, and the Director of a seed research station. These speakers talked about the structure of local government, the transition from a centralized government system under communism to a decentralized government system responsible to Poland and the EU. They discussed types of farming systems in the state, challenges facing agriculture and measures they are taking to develop local agricultural production.

Some of the interesting facts we learned include: 90% of farms in this area are small farms of less than 5 hectares; There is a limit on individual land ownership of 300 hectares per family, which is the maximum allowed for subsidies under the EU; Food produced locally is also consumed locally and most farmers have other sources of income; Organic farming is the dominant farming system and this is a source of pride. However, the number of farms has shrunk by 25% over the last 8 years. This farmland has been taken out of production, but the land is not sold. It is kept as a potential investment.

Among the many speakers this morning, we heard from a dynamic young couple who own a company that recycles waste from the production of juices.  Left over pulp is taken to their factory where it is dried thoroughly.  The resulting powders are rich in pectin and nutrients.  This dried pulp is used in teas, animal feed, cooking and medicines.  They are also drying cherry pits for use in therapeutic pillows.  This couple represents innovation and entrepreneurship - a new model for Polish agriculture.  At the same time, they expressed frustrations we can all relate to.  It took a full two years  to receive the necessary permits to go into business after they secured funding and a factory.

In the evening we hiked 400 feet down into an unforgettable World Heritage Site. For nearly 700 years, the Wieliczka salt mine has driven the economy of Southern Poland. Underground, there are carvings from solid blocks of salt made by miners to commemorate their hard work, resilience and to mark important secular and religious occasions. There are cathedral sized rooms in the salt mine with carved statues and wall carvings. It was simply beautiful.

Elisabeth Silva, Stuart Mast and Ali Elhassan
Photos by Steve Knudsen

International Seminar Day 8 - Exploring Krakow

Our first full day in Krakow started off with a walking tour of this beautiful city.

The tour started out at the Main Market Square. This square is huge, measuring out 200 meters by 200 meters, which is larger than the Red Square in Moscow. With 25% of the Krakow population being university students this square is famous for night life, concerts and other events that can draw crowds up to 200,000 people.

We learned about the university system that has always been publicly funded and has educated some of the world\'s greatest leaders like Pope John Paul II and Copernicus.

World War II was a very tough time for many in Poland, especially the highly educated. The Nazi's looked at the people of Poland as simple workers, so the highly educated (professors, priests, doctors, etc.) were sent to camps in an effort to suppress the working class and to demonstrate to the population the educated were not needed. After the war these schools bounced back and once again they are turning out some of the world's best doctors, lawyers, artists, etc.

As with all of our stops so far, religion plays a huge role here in Krakow. We visited many amazing churches including St. Florian's, the Wawel Cathedral and St. Mary's Basilica. Since day 8 was Sunday, many fellows attended mass with the local residents at one of these historical treasures.

Our journey then took us up Wawel Hill where we walked through the Royal Castle. Here we saw some of the most famous tapestries and some truly unbelievable artifacts, in addition to learning about Krakow's legendary dragon.

We ended our afternoon at Schindler's factory which contrasted our morning walk as tourist enjoying the views to now getting a true look at the tragedies that took place from 1939 to 1945, the Nazi occupation. This period of time for Poland is an extreme example of leadership gone awry. Yet in the face of this holocaust, a man that started out with a plan to exploit the Jews for his gain ended up using his profits to save over 1,100 people.

Despite the eventual victory of the Allies over Nazi Germany, Poland did not gain it's independence, but instead fell under the control of Stalin\'s Communist Russia. The leadership of Lech Walesa united the country to form the first non-communist party, which eventually lead to his presidency and Poland's independence.

The extremes of leadership that this county has endured not only tested and proved the resilience of its people, but also demonstrates the impact that one person can have on the lives of millions of people. This day showed the class yet another example that leadership should never be taken lightly.

By Rick Burnes, David Shabazian and Steven Knudsen

Photos by Steven Knudsen