The aim of the Council is to raise the status of the Polish language in the public life of the United Kingdom.

The objectives of the Council are:

– to increase the availability and quality of Polish translations of notices, leaflets, and directional signs in schools, public offices, hospitals, and public transport,
– to introduce Polish as one of the optional modern foreign languages taught widely in English schools on an equal footing with German, Spanish, or French,
– to increase the availability and quality  of Polish interpreters in courts, police stations, public offices, and legal advice centres,
– to popularise the Polish language through public-speaking competitions, festivals, spelling bees, concerts, and theatrical performances,
– to highlight benefits of the knowledge of Polish language in industry, business, economical cooperation and trade between Poland and UK.

In its activities, the Council intends to cooperate closely with the authorities of the Republic of Poland, its diplomatic service and all Polish diaspora organisations in UK.

The Council comprises:

– Prof. Tomasz Kaźmierski, Rector of the Polish University Abroad (PUNO) – Chairman of the Council

– Dr Christopher Magier, Trustee of the Lady Ryder of Warsaw Memorial Fund – Secretary of the Council

– Dr Simon Selby, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland

– Maria Byczynski, Editor-in-Chief of British Poles

– Elżbieta Barrass, President of Polska Macierz Szkolna w Wielkiej Brytanii(Polish Educational Society)

– Marzena Konarzewska, solicitor, civil and family law

– Robert Demczuk, interpreter, lawyer

– Fr Marek Gałuszka PhD, provost, Christ The King Parish, Balham, London.

The Council is apolitical and focused only on it’s aims. Members of the Council perform their duties on an honorary basis, as volunteers and out of patriotic motives.

Source: Press materials of the Council

Photos: British Poles