As in 1980, concern about the fate of a human being and a sense of responsibility for the good of the nation, the Self-governing Trade Union „Solidarity” emerged in Poland. Over the course of time, it has become a great, massive movement of sovereignty. As in the spirit of responsibility, the Lech Walesa Institute brought to life the Polish Solidarity with Cuba program in order to express our real-life solidarity with Cuban democratic leaders and through active paying back – even partially – the debt of a nation freed from the communist shackles in the face of democracy.

Within the framework of the program, the Institute organized a conference From Solidarity to Democracy: Can Cuba Achieve Freedom?, concerning the last events on the island, its participants debated on the future of Cuba after Fidel Castro’s leave. The purpose of the conference was to show, giving the Polish example, peaceful ways of transition from communism into democracy without leaving out difficult matters which Poland struggles with over the following years of the transformation.

The presented publication is a record of chosen lectures given by the speakers of the conference.