The Chairman of the Economic Forum Programme Council, Zygmunt Berdychowski, received the Jerzy Giedroyc Prize awarded by the editorial staff of „Rzeczpospolita" daily.
- I am glad that my event has occupied an important place in Central Europe - said the laureate touched during the prize award ceremony in the Royal Castle in Warsaw. He added that it was an honour to him to receive the prize because its patron had always been someone exceptional to him personally and in the activity of the Institute. Citing the words of Zygmunt Berdychowski: "... in a sense we feel the heirs to his legacy. Since one of the main goals of our activity is to create a platform for dialogue between the Eastern and the Western part of our continent, to help partners on both its parts in understanding each other better. It resembles the efforts of the editor of „Kultura", who spent much time and put a lot of energy at certain point to make the arguments of the eastern part of the continent heard and considered in Western Europe."
The Jerzy Giedroyc Prize, awarded for actions in the name of the Polish raison d'état, was established by „Rzeczpospolita" daily in 2001 on the first anniversary of the death of the great Polish patriot, an excellent editor and a farsighted politician, the founder of „Kultura" and the Literary Institute in Paris. The prize is awarded to persons or institutions, who follow the rules promoted by Jerzy Giedroyc in public activity, namely unbiased care for public matters, politics understood as serving the country and not particular interests, strengthening position of Poland in the democratic European community, cultivating good relations with the nations of Eastern Europe, and finally work on development of political thought related to the independence of Poland.
Economic Forum of Young Leaders
IV Economic Forum of Young Leaders will begin Sept. 8 in Nowy Sącz. Forum is a meeting of young people from Europe and a venue for discussion about important processes in our continent and world as well as challenges for young generations of politicians, economists and leaders of NGOs. FORUM gives room for debate about the future of the European Union and its relation with neighbouring countries.
Each year, FORUM engages over 300 young leaders of political, economic, social, and non-governmental organisations from the European Union countries, Eastern Europe and the Caucasus, from altogether over 42 European countries, to come to Poland to Nowy Sącz.
The venue of the conference is determined by a partner programme – the Economic Forum in Krynica. Subsequently, outstanding politicians, economists, businessmen and heads of the countries, governments and corporations can participate not only in the “central - European Davos” but also have an opportunity to meet Young Leaders in Nowy Sącz and to share experience, knowledge and to answer questions bothering young people.
Report on transformation: „Hard landing: Central & Eastern Europe facing the financial crisis”.
The first event during this year’s forum will be presentation of a Report on Transformation” entitled „ Hard landing: Central & Eastern Europe facing the financial crisis”. During the debate, PricewaterhouseCoopers will introduce its latest report about the consequences of the global financial crisis for our region. The report will unveil external and internal risks to development of the CEE economies, which a dozen or so months ago still enjoyed forecasts of continuing long-term growth. Does severe recession in the region of Central and Eastern Europe have only a transient character? Is the trend of rapid growth likely to return once the global crisis ends? The debate will be led by Prof. Witold Orłowski. It begins on 9 September at 1 p.m. in the Marble Hall of New Spa House.
Solving of the most complicated problems …
The Economic Forum in Krynica has been the most significant meeting place in the Central-Eastern Europe. Krynica has become an important spot on the political and economic map of the world and probably the only one, where East meets West on such a large scale. The debates of the Forum cover a variety issues, even most complex ones. Everyone contributes to the discussions, the harshest critics as well. Thus, the Forum offers an opportunity for solving the most complicated problems.
Mr. Zygmunt Berdychowski, The Chairman of the Economic Forum Programme Council explains the Forum’s philosophy in the following way:
‘ My most important experience – Solidarnosc- thought me one thing- one has to talk to people and their views and be open for their views and that is probably why the Forum came to life. Our goal is to gather on the Forum various people influencing Europe’s opinion. It is important to remember, that it is not only politicians but also intellectuals, artists, scientists, journalists, etc.- many different worlds we have to contain in Krynica.
19th Economic Forum is largest Economic Forum we have organized in Krynica. This year’s programme includes nearly 140 discussion panels and plenary sessions that over 900 will participate in. They represent almost 60 countries from Europe, Asia and America.