Polonia Camp is a regular event aimed at fostering integration, engagement and the promotion of the younger generation of the Polish diaspora and Poles living abroad. It is aimed at people aged 18–30 who live outside Poland and identify as being of Polish origin.

The event’s mission is to build a global community based on Polish identity, culture and shared heritage – in a spirit of cooperation, development and inspiration. Polonia Camp strengthens intergenerational ties and fosters international cooperation within Polish diaspora youth communities.

The official opening was performed by Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, Marshal of the Senate of the Republic of Poland, who said to the participants in her speech: - I hope you will want to return to Poland, start your own families and businesses – now anything is possible.” But none of this would have been possible without your dreams of establishing a Polish diaspora council – it is this that creates the space for you to put your ideas into practice. I hope this will be a very exciting time: 50 countries, 1,500 people, the largest Polish diaspora youth community in the world. I’m counting on you to invite more people here next year, and for this to be passed on like a relay race – passing on knowledge, information, traditions and friendship.

The event programme included, amongst other things, city games, cultural, language and integration workshops, as well as sessions on start-ups. Participants also had the opportunity to meet Radosław Sikorski, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs; Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence; and Andrzej Poczobut, a journalist and social activist. Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, Marshal of the Senate of the Republic of Poland, also led workshops for the participants.

In the evenings, participants were treated to concerts by Polish bands, whilst during the day meetings were organised with representatives from universities, where they could find out about studying in Poland. In addition, as part of Polonia Camp, participants had the opportunity to enquire about the study programmes offered by individual universities and to find out more about the various fields of study. The National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) also took part in the event, enabling participants to find out what requirements need to be met to study in Poland.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the organisers of Polonia Camp for inviting us to take part in this exceptional event and for their warm welcome. We would also like to thank all participants for their interest and willingness to learn about the programmes offered by the WSEI Academy in Lublin. For us, it was a time filled with inspiring conversations and new connections – we look forward to further fruitful cooperation.