Young Polonia Has a Voice in the Senate: Directors General of the Polish Youth Association Among 16 Selected from Around the World

Dec 13, 2025
3 min read

This is an event of particular significance for young Polish diaspora communities around the world. Vanessa Bijak, Director General of the Polish Youth Association (PSM) in Los Angeles, and Monica Lebensztejn, Director General of the Polish Youth Association in Chicago, have been appointed to the Polonia Youth Council at the Marshal of the Senate of the Republic of Poland. They are the only representatives of the United States among sixteen young leaders selected from hundreds of candidates representing Polish communities worldwide.

The establishment of the Polonia Youth Council at the Marshal of the Senate of the Republic of Poland is a response to the clear need to create a lasting platform for dialogue between the young generation of Poles living abroad and the institutions of the Polish state. During Polonia Camp, young participants consistently emphasized their desire for continued cooperation, the continuation of initiated projects, and genuine influence over matters concerning the Polish diaspora. Today’s nominations confirm that this voice has been heard.

Members of the Polonia Youth Council at the Marshal of the Senate of the Republic of Poland serve in their roles on an honorary basis, while undertaking tasks of significant social and civic importance. The Council serves as a forum for the exchange of experiences and ideas among young Polish diaspora leaders. Its responsibilities include formulating opinions on issues crucial to young Poles abroad, supporting youth-led initiatives, strengthening ties with Poland, and promoting civic and social engagement within their countries of residence.

For Vanessa Bijak, participation in the Council is a natural continuation of her ongoing international activity and commitment. Experiences gained during the Poland Business Adventure strengthened her sense of belonging to the global Polish community and reinforced her belief in the immense potential of young Polonia. As she emphasizes, her work on the Council will above all be an opportunity to learn, exchange perspectives, and listen closely to the needs of young Poles around the world. Among the first planned initiatives are discussions surrounding Polonia Camp 2026, which is expected to become an even stronger platform for integrating young leaders.

Vanessa also highlights the importance of amplifying the voices of young Polish researchers and professionals who are beginning their careers abroad and who can make a meaningful contribution to the international exchange of knowledge, experience, and expertise.

Monica Lebensztejn, in turn, stresses that her decision to apply to the Council stemmed from a deep conviction that the future of Polonia lies in the hands of the younger generation. Her goal is to create a space in which young people’s voices are truly heard and where cooperation among Polish diaspora youth from different countries becomes real and long-lasting. She places particular emphasis on increasing the visibility of initiatives led by young leaders and encouraging youth to actively engage in the life of local Polish communities, especially in the United States.

Both leaders emphasize that receiving their official letters of appointment from the Marshal of the Senate of the Republic of Poland, Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, was a deeply symbolic moment - one that affirmed the responsibility that comes with representing young Polonia at the state level.

The fact that two members of the Polish Youth Association were simultaneously appointed to the Polonia Youth Council at the Marshal of the Senate of the Republic of Poland highlights the organization’s strong position within the Polish diaspora community. PSM is currently the only youth organization in the world with two representatives serving on the Council.

The Polish Youth Association offers its members tangible opportunities for growth - from participation in international projects and civic and social engagement to representing Polonia at the highest levels of dialogue with institutions of the Republic of Poland. It is a space where young people learn responsibility, cooperation, and leadership, while acquiring the competencies necessary to act effectively for the benefit of their community.

For years, PSM representatives have represented both the organization and the Polish American community wherever key decisions concerning the future of Polonia worldwide are made. The presence of Vanessa Bijak and Monica Lebensztejn on the Polonia Youth Council at the Marshal of the Senate of the Republic of Poland confirms that PSM not only supports young leaders, but actively helps shape the future of Polonia by giving its younger generation a voice.

Amelia Piwowarczyk

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