ODEI M.A.R.K.E.T. Meet-Up: Intercultural Dialogue Discussed at UWM

The event was part of the ODEI M.A.R.K.E.T. Meet-Up series, organised within the framework of the ChallengeEU Alliance.

“I believe that the ChallengeEU sets an example when it comes to openness and diversity. We are an Alliance of universities from nine different countries, which vary in terms of culture and working practices. We notice differences between us and our partners partners, yet these differences are not a barrier for us. Instead, we strive to recognise the strength that lies in diversity,” said Prof. Paweł Wielgosz, ChallengeEU Deputy Managing Director.

He also added that one of UWM’s goals is to welcome international students into its academic community.

“We want not only to present them with our educational offer, but also to encourage them to take an active part in university life – for example, by joining cultural organisations or student research clubs. The aim is for them not to remain a separate group, but to become an integral part of our community”, emphasised.

Prof. Mariola Grzybowska-Brzezińska, UWM Vice-Rector also expressed her appreciation for the initiative to organise the meeting.

“I am deeply grateful to everyone who organised this event and to all those taking part in it. We are a university, and our mission is not only to generate knowledge, but also to foster openness, attentiveness and tolerance”, said.

Participants attended a lecture delivered by Prof. Krzysztof Żęgota from the Institute of Political Science, who discussed the impact of Russian propaganda on the situation of foreign nationals in Poland. The political scientist emphasised that, for Russia, which has chosen to pursue its political interests through the use of force and hybrid threats, portraying foreign nationals in a negative light is one of its key tools.

Another important topic discussed at the meeting was the situation of the Ukrainian community, which has had a significant presence in the Warmia and Mazury region for many years. It is also worth noting that, following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, many Ukrainians fled the war and sought refuge in Poland.

Jarosława Chrunik spoke about these issues. A journalist at Radio Olsztyn has been hosting Ukrainian-language programmes for over 40 years, documenting the lives of Ukrainians in the Warmia and Mazury region and organising cultural events.

A key part of the event was a panel discussion featuring academics, representatives of the socio-economic environment and students. Participants shared good practices aimed at improving the situation of foreign nationals and discussed what needs to be done to address challenges such as hostility, hate speech and insufficient integration into Polish society.

“Let me add something from the heart. What does a refugee need most once they have obtained a B2 certificate in Polish? A Polish friend. This is something you cannot buy and yet it is something we need so much”, said Tetiana Revenko of the Dwa Skrzydła UA Foundation, a Ukrainian who sought refuge in Poland following the escalation of the war in Ukraine.

Prof. Maria Rółkowska from the Institute of Journalism and Social Communication also took part in the discussion. She has been teaching Polish as a foreign language at the Centre for Polish Culture and Language for Foreigners for over 20 years. She pointed out that learning a language is about more than just mastering grammar.

“Of course, we teach Polish because it is essential for functioning in and integrating with our society, as well as for meeting formal requirements. We also develop cultural competences. Beyond the classroom, we meet for coffee or go to the theatre together, learning from one another”, said.

Representatives of Michelin, a globally recognised brand and one of the largest employers in the Warmia and Mazury region, shared their approaches to helping international employees settle in and integrate into their new communities.

“We send out a monthly newsletter informing employees about cultural events and what is happening in the city, for example in Warsaw, where I work. Our main goal is to help employees settle into their new surroundings as quickly as possible. As part of our integration activities, we also get together for activities such as board games, said Karolina Wieczorek from Michelin’s Warsaw headquarters.

Bożena Sumara and Oliwier Jakubiak shared their experiences as ChallengeEU ambassadors at UWM. They highlighted the many benefits of connecting and collaborating with students from all over the world.

“We can develop our communication and language skills. We learn to be open-minded, communicate effectively and build relationships. These are skills that will prove valuable not only in our academic lives and future professional careers, but also in our personal lives. That is what makes this experience so valuable,” said Bożena Sumara.

“People in the ChallengeEU Alliance come from different cultural backgrounds and speak different languages. I’m really happy that we have the opportunity to connect with them, spend time together and build a strong European community”, added Oliwier Jakubiak.

The organisers hope that the meeting will contribute to fostering intercultural dialogue in the region and strengthening cooperation between various institutions to support the integration of foreign nationals into Polish society.

Photos: Janusz Pająk / UWM