The role of social activation in the education of residents and tourists: The example of the “Silent Memorial” project

Abstract

Social activity, understood as action taken for the benefit of the local community, is linked to identification with a locality. The stronger the degree of identification, the greater the individual’s willingness to take action for the benefit of their local community. This paper discusses these dynamics within the context of resident and tourist education, which influences the processes of social capital formation. Actions taken to activate local communities play a particularly crucial role in rural areas, as here, individuals’ destinies are more tied to their specific communities than in cities. This study aims to explore the role of social activation in the education of both residents and tourists, with particular emphasis on the educational role of activities related to the preservation of local culture. This is demonstrated through the example of the “Cichy Memorial” project implemented in the Bieszczady region of Poland. The main research question concerns whether the project enhanced the understanding of the region’s culture, history, and society, and whether participation in the project impacted attitudes and skills relevant to shaping social capital in two groups of recipients: residents and tourists. The research employed a two-part qualitative method of data collection. The first part involved conducting telephone interviews with the project developer and participants, while the second part involved a review of posts on the project developer’s social media (Facebook) profile, where observers had posted their opinions. The findings of the research underscored the educational role of the Silent Memorial project for both residents and tourists across three dimensions: knowledge, skills, and attitudes. The project addresses the challenges of globalisation, which directly translate into tasks for education, with the primary issue being the population’s adaptation to increasing volatility and uncertainty. Culture is becoming an important element understood in terms of the opportunities generated by the globalisation processes. Through this cultural focus, the local community has the opportunity to express its identity, and through the activation indicated in the project under study, there is an effect of educating not only the local inhabitants but also the tourists visiting the region.