One of the organizations involved in strengthening understanding
between Mennonites and Poles is the Mennonite-Polish Friendship Association
(MPFA). In 1987, following discussions with a number of persons, a letter was
sent to a broad spectrum of potentially interested persons and agencies. The
purpose was to determine the level of interest in building bridges of
understanding between Mennonites and those Poles now living in areas once home
to hundreds of Mennonites. Sensitive issues associated with the Danzig Free
State, World War II and the eventual flight/expulsion of Mennonites from lands
along the Vistula demanded a careful, conciliatory approach.
Response to the letter was overwhelmingly positive. Representatives of the Mennonite World Conference and the Mennonite Central Committee viewed this as a promising development. Numerous historians, church leaders and persons who had lived in Poland or Prussia before World War II wrote to express their support.
Steps were taken to formalize this proposal. A statement of purpose delineated the goals and potential activities of the proposed organization. An international advisory board, with representation from Canada, Germany, Poland and the United States illustrated the desired diversity of those who might wish to support this effort. A three-member executive committee (Peter Klassen [Fresno], president; John Friesen [Winnipeg], vice president; and Paul Toews [Fresno], secretary-treasurer) provided early leadership.
One of the first proposals discussed was a scholarly conference to examine various facets of Mennonite-Polish history and relationships. The idea received immediate support. Soon, the Centers for Mennonite Brethren Studies in Fresno and Winnipeg, the Mennonite Heritage Centre in Winnipeg, as well as the Historical Commission of the Mennonite Brethren General Conference agreed to cooperate in planning such a conference. The resulting symposium was held on July 21-24, 1990.
In subsequent years, the MPFA has sponsored or helped sponsor a number of projects:
In recent years, the MPFA has developed close working relationships with cooperating agencies in the Netherlands and Poland.