Events list – World in Focus

Is there a European lifestyle, and should we defend it?

29.11 - Auditorium 16:00 − 18:00 Sylvie Kauffmann Manuel Sarrazin Ziemowit Szczerek Ellen Ueberschär Piotr Buras

Session language: Polish, English Symultanic translation: Yes

Recent years were a harsh lesson for Europe. In the past, further enlargements of the European Union and integration projects were the testament of it’s transformative power. European values and rules encouraged others to follow the EU’s lead, and raised aspirations among other societies that were willing to be a part of this „club”. Nowadays, it is the EU that is a subject of outside influence: the pressure from foreign powers, negative impact of globalization and migration. They change the way societies were functioning, and shape the mood of European citizens.

The stronger the processes are, the louder the calls to protect the „European lifestyle”, as the brief of a new EU commissioner states. But, thirty years after the collapse of communism and fifteen after the Eastern enlargement of the European Union, do we know what “European lifestyle” means? Is the split over values — over the meaning of Christian tradition, rule of law, multiculturalism or social model — more evident than ever since 1989? How to build a consensus on what exactly is this „European-ness” that is in danger and how can we overcome divisions? What do we need to agree on in order for the European Union to survive despite current setbacks?

Lunch break

12:45 − 13:45

Lunch will be prepared by Kuchnia Konfliktu

About Kuchnia : it’s a social restaurant providing fair employment to migrants and serving their home country specialities

How China is changing the world order

30.11 – Room 303 10:00 − 11:15 Bogdan Góralczyk Katarzyna Golik Rafał Tomański

Session language: Polish Symultanic translation: Yes

China is now not only a vast market, but most of all a promoter of a new concept of global competition. In this model, boundaries between sectors such as economy, politics or technology become increasingly blurred. On the issue of the 5G technology, which is crucial for the future of global market, China is a clear leader. Using instruments provided by the state capitalism, it can ignore laws of the market. Vast financial and military resources gives China power to change the rules of the game against interests and values of the crisis-torn West.

The “One Belt, One Road” initiative, a trade war with United States, the conflict on the Tthe South China Sea, Chinese expansion in the Africa: those are just the most important signals of shifts in the world order. Does China want to just dominate the global market, or is it willing to rewrite the rules of the global order? Are we on the brink of the end of „Pax Americana”, and at the beginning of „Pax Sinica”? How will China’s domestic situation, described as an „authoritarian modernization”, affect its foreign policy? Can Europe still play an important role in this new global game?

Alliances for the climate – who can save the world and how?

30.11 – Auditorium 10:00 − 11:15 Witold Drożdż Ewa Łabno-Falęcka Marek Szolc Maria Świetlik Piotr Trzaskowski

Session language: Polish Symultanic translation: Yes

To save our planet from a climate disaster, we have less and less time. What non-obvious alliances and agreements over our own interests do we need to save the Earth? Where should we look for a common denominator in different needs and divergent interests?

Representatives from different perspectives belonging to different interest groups – business, administration and trade unions – will take part in the debate. They will talk about who the initiator, the contractor and the supervisor of the necessary changes should be. We will also consider whether “plastic straws” are the real solution to the problem or just diverting attention from deeper changes in the economy? Are business, politics and society ready for a radical transformation to keep up with the need for rapid change? We invite you to search for constructive solutions to save our planet together.

Is the UN outdated? The role of international organizations in building international order

30.11 – Auditorium 11:30 − 12:45 Adam Dziedzic Ingjiborg Gisladottir Joseph Soeters Agnieszka Wójcik

Session language: Polish, English Symultanic translation: Yes

International institutions, such as the United Nations and NATO, have played a huge role in instituting the contemporary world order. Nations, after the trauma of both world wars, needed new principles and rules of coexistence. Are international organizations still needed in the face of current conflicts and challenges? Or are bilateral relations between states and regional alliances more important?

In a debate with international experts and representatives of these organizations, we will consider not only the importance of these institutions in shaping the world today, but also their relationship with citizens. And is the reform of the UN, which has been debated for years, still necessary and possible, or is it just a marketing gimmick?

Alliance of the Kremlin and the European right

30.11 – Room 303 11:30 − 12:45 Katarzyna Chimiak Taras Kuzio Grzegorz Rzeczkowski Klementyna Suchanow

Session language: Polish, English Symultanic translation: Yes

As a significant international player, Russia is focusing the attention of politicians and public opinion in various areas. Recent events include the wars in Ukraine and Syria. However, the Kremlin’s participation in the political life of other countries is not always as visible as military action, but it can also be dangerous to our democracy. Repeatedly, we find out news about the Kremlin financing Western European populist parties. The National Front in France remained the best-known example for many years. However, recent reports also indicate deep interference in Italian politics, in particular support for Mateo Salvini and his Liga.

Where do these connections come from and what exactly is the support from Moscow? Where is the border between the cooperation of political circles and illegal interference in the internal policy of sovereign states? How can we control it and what can we learn from past experiences? We invite you to a discussion with investigative journalists and experts who are tracking disturbing arrangements and revealing them to a wide audience.

Can (only) women save the world?

30.11 – Room 303 13:45 − 15:00 Justyna Gotkowska Stefan Gullgren Agnieszka Lichnerowicz Adam Traczyk

Session language: Polish, English Symultanic translation: Yes

Next year, we will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, devoted to the impact of armed conflict on the welfare of women. Since then, the protection of women in warfare and their equal participation in peace processes have become increasingly important elements of international debate. However, this is still not enough to fully implement the desired outcomes and true equality. That is why in recent years, attempts have been made at a completely new approach, which at this stage has taken the form of a feminist foreign policy.

During the debate, we will consider what exactly feminist foreign policy is and what distinguishes it from other concepts shaping international relations. Is it just a fantasy, a marketing gimmick, or maybe a universal concept that allows an effective foreign policy to be conducted based on values? Will it become an alternative to the “competition of great powers”?

A Farewell to a French-German Europe?

30.11 – Auditorium 13:45 − 15:00 Shahin Valleé Kai-Olaf Lang Mateusz Szczurek Karolina Zbytniewska

Session language: Polish, English Symultanic translation: Yes

When Emmanuel Macron became the President of France, some hoped for a renewal of French-German “engine”, others were afraid of the duo’s hegemony. More than two years later, most of his projects remain unaccomplished, and the relationship between Berlin and Paris is far from perfect. Is it just one of many deadlocks between the two countries or are we witnessing the end of a French-German Europe? How will the domestic situation in France and Germany affect the upcoming years of cooperation between the countries and what will it mean for Europe? Are significant reforms of the Eurozone and EU’s security policy still possible, despite differences in approach between Paris and Berlin? How will the balance of power change and what will it mean for Poland and other countries?

What kind of Poland in what kind of Europe? A view from the outside

30.11 – Auditorium 15:15 − 16:30 Olaf Bock Ingrid Brekke Christian Davies Joanna Maria Stolarek Emilie van Outeren

Session language: Polish, English Symultanic translation: Yes

In recent years, Poland has aroused interest of European media. Praises for economical success were mixed with the criticism of dismantling of the rule of law, often accompanied by disapproval of the conservatism of Polish society or at least its large sections. Is Poland’s case unique for Europe? Or is it a part of the EU’s increasingly more diverse political landscape? Is Poland’s image in Europe based in reality? What kind of Poland does Europe need, and what can it expect? We will discuss the image of Poland in the world — how it surprises, disappoints and brings hope — with foreign journalists, whose insights are steeped in their personal experiences and the baggage of their countries of origin.