Public diplomacy consultations in Kalisz

mfa.gov.pl

Public diplomacy consultations in Kalisz

“Public diplomacy plays a key role in shaping a country’s positive image abroad and, in recent years, has become one of the pillars of foreign policy of every country, without exception,” said Deputy Foreign Minister Jan Dziedziczak in Kalisz during his consultative meeting on public diplomacy.

The meeting was attended by directors of Polish Institutes and Embassy officials in charge of public diplomacy, as well as representatives of institutions important for public diplomacy and experts. The meeting agenda included such themes as inter-ministerial cooperation, building institutional contacts with foreign organisations, historical diplomacy, specifically in the context of next year’s 100^th anniversary of Poland’s regained independence, strengthening the impact of the Polska brand and cooperation with the Polish diaspora and media outlets. The Polish Radio for Abroad 2018 policy lines were also consulted with representatives of Polish diplomatic missions.

Representatives of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the Institute of National Remembrance, the National Agency for Academic Exchange, the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, the Polish Tourist Organisation, the Book Institute, the National Centre for Culture, the Museum of the History of Poland and the Museum of the World War II were also invited for these consultations.

During a concert at the Henryk Melcer State Music Conservatory in Kalisz, Deputy Minister Dziedziczak gave Włodzimierz Pawlik, an accomplished jazz composer and musician, the Bene Merito honorary distinction. The distinction was awarded for his efforts to enhance the renown of Polish music worldwide and to promote a good image of Poland internationally. “We recognise this artist’s accomplishments and his support for public diplomacy efforts to showcase the best that Poland can offer internationally. Włodek Pawlik is a person who uses his talents and fame to promote Poland,” said the deputy foreign minister.

Deputy Minister Dziedziczak also attended a special session of Kalisz’s Town Council and presented the councilmen of one of Poland’s oldest towns a reprint of the Kalisz Statute made by Artur Szyka. The Statue was issued in 1264 and represented an unprecedented legal solution in Europe that settled the situation of Jews in Wielkopolska and over time became a foundation for the rights and privileges of Jews throughout the Republic. “The Kalisz Statute is the foundation of Polish tolerance for our brothers Jews, as opposed to what happened in the past in Western Europe,” stressed Deputy Minister Dziedziczak as he presented the Statute. He also noted that the Kalisz Statute has come to symbolise secure life for Jews in Poland and is an inseparable part of the history of Polish-Jewish relations.

During his visit to Kalisz, Deputy Minister Dziedziczak, Mayor Grzegorz Sapiński, President of the Town Council Andrzej Plichta, Deputy Voivode of Wielkopolska Marlena Maląg and Kalisz Bishop Edward Janiak laid a commemorative wreath in St. Joseph’s Sanctuary in the Chapel of Martyrdom and Thanksgiving of Polish Priests for their miraculous salvation from the German concentration camp KZ Dachau. “We want to fight false stereotypes about alleged Polish concentration camps, about alleged co-responsibility of Poles for the Holocaust or the allegedly rampant anti-Semitism on Polish lands,” said Deputy Minister Dziedziczak.

MFA Press Office