The 2nd National Conference on Migration Policy is now behind us. During the event, we focused in particular on issues related to the promotion of equal treatment and non-discrimination. We had the opportunity to listen to many interesting and courageous contributions addressing the multifaceted nature of migration, including the feminization of migration. It is worth recalling that 10 December marks Human Rights Day, and 18 December is International Migrants Day.
The opening remarks were delivered by Leszek Bonna, and the conference theme was introduced by Prof. Maciej Duszczyk, a researcher at the Centre of Migration Research and the Faculty of Political Science and International Studies at the University of Warsaw.
During the first panel, we discussed the experiences and challenges faced by cities and regions in a country transitioning from an emigration to an immigration model. The discussion featured:
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Leszek Bonna – Vice-Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship
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Oleksandr Plodystyi – Consul General of Ukraine in Gdańsk
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Shivan Fate – Deputy Director of the Regional Center for Social Policy in Szczecin
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Michał Gaweł – President of the Board of the Dialogue Foundation
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Damian Kruczkowski – Director of the Zofia Urbanowska Municipal Public Library in Konin
The second part of the meeting included the panel #WomenAreStrength, during which we discussed the female dimension of migration with exceptional guests:
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Susanna Izzetdinova – Entrepreneur, owner of Azima Tatar Delicacies
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Olga Gulińska – Social Animation Specialist at the European Solidarity Centre, member of the Cooperation Platform within the EU-BELONG project: An Intercultural Approach to Migrant Integration in European Regions
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Mariia Giedroyc – Representative of the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD)
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Paulina Filipowicz – Psychologist and activist, Szczera Sfera
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Valeriia Chernenko – Correspondent for a socio-political program on Ukrainian television ICTV
The third panel focused on outlining the current stage of implementation of the EU-BELONG project: An Intercultural Approach to Migrant Integration in European Regions. During this session, Agnieszka Zabłocka, Deputy Director of the Regional Center for Social Policy, presented information on the progress of the project and the strategic plan for migrant integration in the Pomeranian Voivodeship.
The conference concluded with multicultural culinary workshops organized by Azima Tatar Delicacies.
We would like to sincerely thank Prof. Maciej Duszczyk for the inspiring introductory lecture, as well as all panelists for their courage in presenting bold theses related to the current migration situation in Poland and Europe.
Photo coverage: Jacek Sowa (Chancellery of the Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship)
