“60-million Congress – the Global Congress of the Polish Diaspora” was held from 30 May to 1 June 2019 in London. The theme of the Congress was the integration of Polish business environments within the country and beyond its borders. The name of the Congress corresponds with the total number of Poles living in the world. The inauguration of the Congress took place in 2018, on the hundredth anniversary of Poland regaining its independence and was an excellent opportunity to meet with the Polish community and discuss the current place of Poland on the world map and our position in international relations, with particular emphasis on their economic dimension. The intention of the organizers of the Congress was to define the current status and nature of cooperation between Polish business, scientific and cultural centers in the country and abroad, as well as to determine the importance of this cooperation, together with its benefits. The main purpose of the debate during the meeting was to identify those levels of cooperation, which remain a useful base for developing and strengthening already existing relations, as well as searching for new areas of joint actions that are significant from economics and image-related point of view. There are six consecutive meetings of the 60 Million Congress in 2019 and they are held in six different cities in four countries on two continents, therefore the concept of the business Polonia will reach a very wide audience.
The London edition of the Congress was attended by representatives of the European Business Club Poland: Janusz Cieślak, President, Krzysztof Walendziewski, Vice President, Beata Drzazga, Board Member and Bożena Banasik – Cieślak, international expert.
The panel topics included: “Brexit – challenges and opportunities – a new political perspective”, The impact of Polish-British diplomatic relations on building a Polish community in Great Britain “,” Polish brands on international markets – building the brand Poland “,” The role of Polonia culture and media in the promotion of Poland. “
The Congress in London showed that creating a platform for the integration of Polish people representing different fields with Polish diaspora is indeed needed and gives a space for discussions on topics important for Poland and the world. The Congress was a time of inspiring debates full of substantive speeches and conversations. Among the guests of the London edition of the 60 Million Congress were: Government Plenipotentiary for international dialogue Senator Anna Maria Anders, Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom Daniel Kawczyński and former British Ambassador to Poland Robin Barnett . Inauguration of the Congress took place at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in London, and was made by Arkady Rzegocki, PhD Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Poland in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Both the subject of the speeches, the participation of eminent specialists in their fields as well as the level of discussion meant that the 60 Million Congress was an event at a high substantive level and an opportunity to reflect on ways of integrating Poles.
The congress was concluded with accompanying events – a boat cruise and a Golf Tournament for a cup of 60 MLN.