From Sunday, May 4, to Friday, May 9, 2025, a study visit took place in Poland, during which participants in the current year of the Security Academy focused on issues of Polish security and foreign policy, Czech-Polish relations, the role of the media in the regional and European context, Poland's current presidency of the Council of the European Union, and the upcoming presidential elections. The program offered a diverse mix of expert discussions, meetings with stakeholders, journalists, and diplomats, as well as visits to important historical sites in Gdańsk and Gdynia.
The program kicked off with an informal networking dinner with Bartlomiej Kot from the Casimir Polanski Foundation. The introductory block provided a basic overview of events in Poland, giving participants a solid framework for further discussions and workshops.
Monday morning was devoted to issues of Polish defense policy. Andreas Papadopulos, Czech Television's correspondent for Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic States, offered insights into the Polish army, security strategy, and current developments in the region in his lecture “Europe's Eastern Shield.”
The afternoon part of the day continued at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Warsaw, where Ambassador Břetislav Dančák discussed the strengthening of the Czech-Polish partnership with the students. The discussion focused on current challenges in the European area, energy security, relations between the two countries, and opportunities for closer cooperation within the EU and NATO.
Tuesday's program began with a visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, specifically the Department for Strategic Communication and Combating Foreign Disinformation. Participants learned about Poland's approach to combating hybrid threats, manipulation in the information space, and the protection of democratic institutions.
Karolina Zbytniewska, editor-in-chief of EURACTIV.pl, took part in the afternoon discussion. The topic “Poland at a Crossroads” focused on current political developments in the country, European integration, and Poland's influence in the international arena.
Wednesday was devoted to exploring Poland's modern and historical identity. In the morning, participants visited the Museum of the Second World War and the Westerplatte memorial, a symbolic site marking the beginning of the global conflict. In the afternoon, they took a trip to the European Solidarity Center, where Magdalena Charkin-Jaszcza, deputy director for international cooperation, welcomed the participants. They discussed the legacy of Solidarity, democratic movements in Central Europe, and the center's current activities in the field of civil society and international relations.
On Thursday, the program continued in Gdynia with a visit to the ORP Sokół submarine, followed by a tour of the Maritime Museum and the historic ship ORP Błyskawica, one of the oldest preserved destroyers in the world.
The study visit provided participants with a comprehensive overview of current security and political issues in Poland, enabled the exchange of experiences with experts, and contributed to the further development of Czech-Polish cooperation.
The study visit was made possible thanks to the support of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom.
