Young Leaders at the Economic Forum: The Voice of a Future Generation

From September 2 to 4, the eyes of politicians, entrepreneurs, and experts from across Europe will turn to Karpacz, where the Economic Forum will take place. In this prestigious circle - alongside heads of state, ministers, directors of global institutions, and leading scholars - the voice of the younger generation will also be heard. It will be represented by Aleksandra Marczuk and Vanessa Bijak -  representatives of the Polish Youth Association, who will serve as panelists during debates on key challenges of the modern era.

The Economic Forum in Karpacz is the largest conference of its kind in Central and Eastern Europe, gathering several thousand participants each year from over 60 countries. The event serves as a platform for meetings of presidents, prime ministers, ministers, business leaders, experts, and representatives of culture, academia, and the media. Its purpose is to exchange experiences, analyze the most significant political and economic processes, and develop recommendations for the future of Europe and the world. It is here, in this international assembly of decision-makers and opinion leaders, that directions for political and economic cooperation are shaped, while key challenges in the areas of security, energy transition, innovation, and social policy are discussed.

Aleksandra Marczuk, serving as Director of Development and Partnerships, is responsible for building and strengthening relationships with the Association’s strategic partners. She is also an ambassador of the Zwolnieni z Teorii program and a councilor of the Youth Council at the Parliamentary Team for Youth. Her work focuses on building bridges - between youth communities as well as public institutions and international organizations. Thanks to her dedication, the Polish Youth Association continues to expand its scope of activity and influence. In Karpacz, Aleksandra will take part in a panel featuring distinguished figures of the Polish diaspora, culture, and media, including Edward Trusewicz -  President of the European Union of Polish Communities and former Deputy Minister of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania, Grzegorz Jędrasik - Director of TVP Polonia, Maria Rypińska - Olsson - Chair of the Council of the World Polish Economic Foundation, Anna Sochańska - Director of the Department for Cooperation with the Polish Diaspora and Poles Abroad at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Halina Szczotka - President of the Federation of Polish Media in the East. Her presence at this discussion table is proof that young Polonia is not only capable of building relationships, but also of contributing substantive input to the international debate.

Vanessa Bijak, leading the Association as Chief Executive Director of its Los Angeles branch, represents Polish youth in one of the most significant Polish diaspora centers in the United States. She holds a doctorate in natural sciences in the field of biochemistry and biophysics, and is a graduate of Warsaw University of Technology and the University of Virginia. She specializes in science diplomacy, the implementation of artificial intelligence, and structural protein research. Her work extends beyond organizing events and projects for young Poles in California - it is also about fostering a sense of community, identity, and pride in Polish heritage. At the Economic Forum, Vanessa will appear alongside representatives of academia and international organizations, including Łukasz Sołtysiak - expert at the Office of Polonia in Berlin, Liudmyla Kryva - Director of the Center for Coordination of Scientific Editions and International Projects at the Interregional Academy of Personnel Management, Mariusz Godlewski - Director of the Studio M6 Foundation, and Krzysztof Wasilewski - Vice-Rector for Education at the Koszalin University of Technology. Her presence in Karpacz emphasizes that the American Polonia is an integral part of the national community and actively contributes to its development.

The participation of Aleksandra and Vanessa in the Economic Forum is an achievement that may serve as an inspiration for the entire young generation. It proves that age is no barrier to engaging in public debate at the highest level. The young generation brings to the discussion analytical insight, the ability to identify emerging challenges, and the readiness to propose innovative and effective solutions.It is also a message to Polish youth around the world: commitment and passion can open the doors to the most important arenas of international dialogue. The representatives of the Polish Youth Association demonstrate that it is not only possible to take part in these discussions, but also to co-create them.

The Economic Forum in Karpacz is an event where the experience of leaders from different parts of the world meets the energy and ambition of the younger generation. The participation of Aleksandra Marczuk and Vanessa Bijak is proof that the Polish Youth Association serves as a bridge between tradition and the future, between Poland and Polonia, between the past and what is yet to come.It is a great honor, but also a responsibility - the voices of Aleksandra and Vanessa will resonate among decision-makers, experts, and opinion leaders. It is evidence that young Poles, both in the homeland and abroad, have a real impact on shaping the future of Europe and the world.

Amelia Piwowarczyk