Young Polish Professionals – educated, ambitious people who work and make career abroad within their country of residence without forgetting about their roots. Entrepreneurs, businessmen, employees of prestigious companies, representatives of liberal professions… people who succeed and for whom Poland and its image abroad are important came nowadays to Warsaw to take part in Reunion of Alumni of the School for Leaders of Polish Community Abroad and Training for Leaders of Polish Professionals’ Associations.
The Alumni Reunion was held on November 21 – 24th and was attended by 45 leaders of the Polish community from Europe, Australia, North and South America.
The aim of the Alumni Reunions was to reinforce the knowledge and skills acquired during the School and to motivate the Alumni to get engaged into further activities and to develop their skills. During the Reunions the participants had an opportunity to exchange experience, to talk about the possibilities of carrying out common projects and to reflect on what has changed in their lives after accomplishing the School for Leaders for the Polish Community Abroad, how their activity has developed and what plans they have for the future.
The Alumni had also a chance to take part in meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski. Besides the government policy on the Polish diaspora and Poles abroad, the conference agenda also included the POLAND brand. As Poland’s top diplomat pointed out, we live at a time of technological revolution. “This means that it’s easier to stay in touch with Poland, but also that modern tools can help us enhance the POLAND brand,” emphasized the minister. He also noted that there is more to the new way Poland is promoted than just modern communication tools. What we need is also a new narrative about Poland. “We believe that the history of our country should be a positive inspiration for foreigners,” said the minister. “We want them to know that Poland owes its present-day success to national characteristics of its people, who are hard working, intelligent, talented and creative. And that it is worthwhile taking an interest in and cooperating with this country.” Minister Radosław Sikorski underscored that the Poland brand is now worth 472 billion dollars. “It ranks 20th among the most valuable national brands, ahead of Germany, Singapore and Norway. A year ago, it was worth just 271 billion dollars,” he underlined.
The event also featured discussion panels which focused on how Poles use their electoral rights and the ways in which the Polish diaspora becomes involved in Polish politics. In addition, there was a presentation devoted to the “Vote! You are at home” programme which has been initiated by the School for Leaders and Forum Polonia-Ireland. One of its aims is to encourage people to vote in next year’s elections to the European Parliament.
Meanwhile, training for Leaders of Polish Professionals’ Associations takes place in Warsaw (November 25 -29, 2013). During the training program participants take part in workshops, lectures and discussion sessions, as well as in meetings with representatives of key institutions and business organizations that cooperate with Polish communities abroad. The aim of this project is to discuss the models of functioning of organizations that gather young Polish professionals and to establish international cooperation between such organizations. Participants of 10 different organizations from around the world were invited to participate in this training.
Training is organized by the School for Leaders Association and the Young Polish Canadian Professionals Association (YPCPA). This event forms part of the 5th edition of the School for Leaders for Polish Community Abroad, which is carried out with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and under the honourable patronage of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland, Radosław Sikorski.
Source: School for Leaders of Polish Community Abroad and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Photo © the School of Leaders for Polish Community Abroad