During the conference a number of issues relating to development cooperation were discussed including prevention of the food crises; working in areas of armed conflict; the effectiveness of global education; the impact of the financial crisis on development cooperation; problems of migrants in Poland; and the importance of cross-sectoral cooperation. The conference was attended by more than 30 experts from all around the world, and nearly 500 participants.
The president of Poland, Bronislaw Komorowski, inaugurated the conference with his opening speech. He spoke about the positive changes that have been taking place since the political transition in Poland. The President stressed that the aid which Poland received from other countries during that period puts on our shoulders moral responsibility to cooperate with and help countries and societies that now need similar assistance. Helping others is the most beautiful form of diplomacy one can imagine, and humanitarian and development aid is the form of struggle for freedom, equality and democracy, said the President.
Minister Pełczyska - Nałęcz transferred to the hands of the president of PAH a congratulatory letter from the minister of foreign affairs Radosław Sikorski. In addition to the letter, she highlighted the changes that have occurred in the Polish society during the past years, relating to development cooperation. She said:
More and more people in Poland are interested in development cooperation, as much as 78% of citizens believe that Poland should support the countries of the Global South that are in need by providing them with humanitarian assistance and development aid. Poland is progressively becoming a mature donor.
The Undersecretary of State also spoke about the legal act introduced in early 2012, which defines the key concepts of development assistance, and sets its direction. In addition, the audience had a chance to listen to the words of the Minister of Foreign Affairs - Radoslaw Sikorski, who wrote the letter to be read to the audience at the conference. The president of the Board of PAH, Janka Ochojska, also took an opportunity to warmly welcome the audience of the conference. She stressed that the 20th anniversary celebration of PAH is an unique opportunity to evaluate the performance of PAH, as well as examine the overall achievements and errors pertaining the implementation of humanitarian and development aid and to analyze the challenges of the present and the future. Polish society is certainly experiencing significant transformation - Janina Ochojska emphasized. However, society’s education in terms of the global education and humanitarian aid still remains a challenge. The media play an indispensable role in building awareness and educating the public. She also referred to the above mentioned act, stating that it requires some changes to enable organisations to conduct long-term activities.
Information provided by Aneta Sarna, PHO
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