The annual Congress of Polish Student Societies in the UK brings together students and graduates from over 30 British universities. Last weekend, 4-5 February, Polish students who opted for studies in the United Kingdom gathered in Oxford for the XVth edition of the event. With the motto “Connect in Congress”, the conference aims to establish an open space to meet and exchange world-changing ideas among young and ambitious Polish talents. The Congress facilitates networking and learning opportunities through a series of workshops, panel discussions and social events.
Celebrating fifteen years of Congress tradition
Fifteen years of tradition make it the oldest conference connecting Polish student organisations abroad. Additionally, the Congress attracts hundreds of guests every year, making it the largest among such events in the UK. This year’s Congress was unique in many regards. The Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit constituted serious challenges for the organisation of this prestigious event with an unbroken history. In fact, the XVth Congress was the first large gathering of Polish student societies in the United Kingdom since the pandemic began. Additionally, the decreasing number of young Poles opting for studies in the UK casts doubt over the possibility of holding such large-scale conferences in the future.
The event is hosted by a different student society in the UK every year. The special XVth edition has been organised under the leadership of the Oxford University Polish Society, allowing the conference to take place in Oxford, where it was originally initiated in 2007 by Dr Zbigniew Pełczyński.
Zbigniew Pełczyński, who passed away in June 2021, was a remarkable character in Polish history. He was an Oxford-based political philosopher who actively contributed to the growing number of Polish students at the best universities in the United Kingdom. A special speaker panel dedicated to the memory of Dr Pelczynski was organised in one of Oxford’s most prestigious buildings, the Sheldonian Theatre. Colleagues and previous students of the professor, including MEP Radoslaw Sikorski, discussed his contribution to Polish society and his inspiring commitment to public service.
The first day of the conference finished with a social event at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, where visitors had a chance to mingle with high profile guests in a relaxed, easy-going atmosphere.
Exciting workshops, speaker panels and social events
The conference offers its guests a unique chance to network with high-profile speakers and join a variety of workshops with experienced professionals. Guests participated in workshops with business leaders, such as Goldman Sachs or the Boston Consulting Group. Speaker panels aimed at discussing the nationally and globally recognized issues are among the essential elements of the event. This year, a series of panel debates allowed participants to dive deeper into the world of Polish politics, science, business, culture and art. The former Minister of Regional Development, Elżbieta Bieńkowska and a film director, Agnieszka Holland, inspired young minds in their keynote speaker addresses.
Overall, 9 discussion panels were organised with over 45 special guests. Some of the speaker panels included MEP Radosław Sikorski, a Polish film director, Jan Komasa and the former Polish Ombudsman for Citizen Rights, Adam Bodnar. The subjects of the panels ranged from digitalisation and the development of new technologies to activism in art and building a strong civil society. A special panel was organised with international guests from the Visegrad Group countries to talk about the prospects of future cooperation within the V4 region. Moreover, healthcare experts were invited to discuss the evolution of the sector.
The conference finished with a spectacular Ball at Oxford Town Hall, during which the guests danced the Polonaise, a Polish national dance.
Author: Marta Kąkol
Marta has recently graduated from Utrecht University, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. Thanks to her interdisciplinary education, she can apply multiple perspectives to complex political issues. She vocalizes her interest in public affairs in a multitude of ways, from journalistic writing to organising speaker events. She hopes to gain funding for her Master’s in European and International Public Policy at LSE starting in 2022.
Cover picture: Congress of Polish Student Societies in the UK
