2024-08-23 15:12 update: 2024-08-23, 15:16
Photo: PAP/Leszek Szymański
Rafal Trzaskowski, the mayor of Warsaw and the initiator of 'Campus – the Future of Poland,' addressed the media during the inaugural press conference for the fourth edition of the event on Friday.
This year's festival is to take place on August 23-29 at a university campus located in the northern city of Olsztyn. Nearly 200 panellists will speak at the event and more than 1,300 people will take part as audience members.
This time around, it will focus on five subjects: global safety, future skills, economy and technology, comfort of living and a diverse society.
"'Campus – the Future of Poland' is an absolutely special place and initiative. There is no other socio-political festival quite like this in our part of Europe," said Trzaskowski.
"What's most important in both life and politics, is consistency," he added. "This is already the fourth edition. We said that we would organise 'Campus – the Future of Poland' every year, regardless of the political circumstances... Each year we managed to organise 'Campus - the Future of Poland' independently of the fact that the democratic parties were at the time in opposition, that there was an ongoing electoral campaign, or - like today - that the democratic parties are co-governing Poland and setting the main directions for the future."
He noted that more than 5,000 young people have taken part in the events so far. "This is an army of committed people, young people who care about Poland, who want to talk about what is most important to us," he said.
He added that it is indeed young people who are taking over the organisation, which in his view "gives hope that 'Campus' will continue for years to come." He said it will also guarantee that fresh ideas continue to emerge and that the event is a completely independent venture.
Minister of Education Barbara Nowacka, who also is also taking part in this year's edition, added that the event is all about "energy, dialogue and change."
She remarked that the project would undoubtedly influence Polish politics, since "thanks to 'Campus,' so many young people have decided to get involved in socio-political issues."
According to the information published on the X platform on Monday, among the special guests who are scheduled to participate, there are several visitors from abroad, including: President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola, former Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba.
Also said to make an appearance are Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, Minister for Equality Katarzyna Kotula, Health Minister Izabela Leszczyna and Justice Minister Adam Bodnar.
The Minister for Sport Slawomir Nitras, said on Friday in Olsztyn that "this year's 'Campus' will be unique, because for the first time those who hold real power will be present..."
He added: "This is the first time the prime minister in office will be in attendance. We are putting the prime minister, the ministers, those in power - in the hands of the young people, to be confronted by them. The questions asked are never... meant to make anyone uncomfortable, or hurt anyone. Questions are meant to allow us to address important issues," he said.
The first 'Campus – the Future of Poland,' initiated by Trzaskowski, took place in Olsztyn in 2021. Over 1,000 people between the ages of 18 and 35 took part in panels, workshops, debates and meetings with creators included in the programme. (PAP)
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