The Center for International Relations together with Business Link Poland and THINKTANK organized the other meeting out of the cycle “Globalization”, named “The entrepreneurs of the changing world”. The special guest of the meeting was prof. Marek Belka, valued economist and politician. It was moderated by Małgorzata Bonikowska Ph. D., the head of THINKTANK. During the Globalization, the participants found out, among the others, how the global trends change the situation of entrepreneurs in Poland and for what kind of changes they should prepare themselves in 2018 to increase their competitiveness in the market.

Today we commemorate the Ghetto Uprising, but also the day of the Independence of Israel. This is very symbolic – said former ambassador of Israel to Poland, Szewach Weiss. Since yesterdays sundown till today evening continues the celebration of the Memorial Day for Israeli Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism, Jom ha-Zikkaron, which foregoes the Jom ha-Acmaut celebration – 70. anniversary of Israeli Independence. The state proclaimed its sovereignty on the 14th of May 1948, but because of the differences between calendars, the Jewish feasts are movable. One of the most important parts of the celebration is the speech given by the states head and military parade. That day ends by the rewarding by the Israel award – an honorable mention for someone with a highly unique contribution in science development of the country.

On the 14th of April 3-days study visit in Israel, co-organized by the Center for International Relations in cooperation with THINKTANK Center, Rechters Agency, ELNET Foundation, Polish-Israeli Chamber of Commerce and Siemens, started. It was the award for finalists of the Startup Jerusalem 2017 Competition, led by the Israeli Embassy in Poland on occasion of 70. anniversary of the grounding of the Israeli state, which calls itself very often a “startup nation”. The Center for International Relations sat in the competition's jury. During the study visit, the participants took part in numerous meetings, among the others, with Start-Up Nation Central, or Jerusalem Global Ventures.

More than 80% of Poles support membership in the European Union. Such compatibility is no longer seen when the question about the future position of Poland in a united Europe is being asked. Last year European Commission Representation in Poland initiated a substantive discussion on the European future, inspired by so-called White Paper. Today we sum up the current state of the debate – writes Małgorzata Bonikowska Ph. D. in the report Polish debate on the future of Europe, prepared for European Commission Representation in Poland.

In cooperation with the International Republican Institute, we conducted communication and data use workshops. We had as well series of the meetings with the parties’ leaders and representatives of think tanks. The Consulting Training for leaders from Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia aims to the consolidation of acting skills of young politicians in the public sphere and focuses on strengthen analytical abilities and improvement of presentation and media skills. In the project participate representatives of political parties of different options, both ruling and opposition.

BGŻ BNP Paribas Bank, within SME Business Academy, organized cycle of expert business meetings directed to entrepreneurs. During this year’s conferences, we have discussed topics connected with macroeconomics trends and challenges which await for entrepreneurs in 2018. Prof. Marek Belka was the special guest of all six meetings. The leitmotif of our cycle was: “The Entrepreneur in the Changing World”. Meetings for entrepreneurs were conducted by Dr. Małgorzata Bonikowska (The Center of International Relations). Furthermore, participants took part in the workshop with bank’s experts, so-called “business case study”, which consists in solving difficult “cases” and choosing the best scenario for the company (not only about funding issues).

Nowadays, Hong Kong is one of the main “business hub” of Asia which can be also used by Polish companies - experts said during “Hong Kong is gate to China” seminar organized by Polish Trade and Investment Agency and Hong Kong Trade and Development Council. This seminar was destined for people, who are responsible for the promotion of export and investments in their companies and institutions. It was aimed at presenting Hong Kong not only as a market but also as a “gate” to China for Polish exporters too. Experts presented issues connected with the economic situation in Hong Kong, they gave us advices on how to find the right business partner and how to do business there.