RAISING SOCIAL AWARENESS OF SAFETY CULTURE BASED ON THE ACTIVITY OF THE ACADEMIC LEGION OF THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF LUBLIN

After the fall of communism in 1989, XXI century brought continuous changes in the way how state defense is perceived and how the citizens participate in creating it. A few decades of social malaise caused by the atmosphere prevailing in the country engulfed in the communist dictatorship resulted in a significant degeneration, also in the paramilitary activity of the citizens. However, after the period when any grassroots initiative was regarded suspicious ended, there came a revival of public benefit organizations and any broadly understood citizens’ initiative. This also applies to defense and the creation of so-called safety culture. Its development is not easy. It Involves creating a lot of new structures and, most importantly, changing of the social consciousness of the citizens. Based on the Academic Legion of the Catholic University of Lublin, the article describes one of the elements of the security system of the Republic of Poland, which is formed by paramilitary youth organizations. Their main purpose is to promote patriotism and to help create civil society. They are also one of the most important elements of safety culture.