On 11 June, Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski presented a comprehensive report on the MFA's diaspora policy to the Upper Chamber of Parliament. Besides senators, the audience included a group of Polish diaspora leaders, invited specifically for this occasion by the Senate.
The minister emphasised that among the Polish government's priorities is encouraging those who have left to return and resume residence in Poland. "We're reducing administrative barriers for those who are returning," he said. "Poland wants at last to join in this international competition for our best and brightest. Until now—and for centuries—we have been losing it, supplying talent and workforce to other nations. The government policy is to reverse this trend and encourage Poles to come back," explained Minister Sikorski.
The diaspora policy's priorities also include teaching in Polish as the language of instruction, school infrastructure, and strengthening the position of Polish diaspora in countries of residence. "Polish diaspora business can count on our support. That's why we're boosting our information policy. We're very much counting on the collaboration with the Ministry of Economy in this area and are expecting greater involvement from Promotion, Trade and Investment Sections at embassies," remarked the chief of Polish diplomacy. Radosław Sikorski also recalled that the "Smart Start" programme was just launched. "It will help Poles who study abroad to acquire first professional experiences at foreign branches of Polish enterprises," informed the minister.
The chief of Polish diplomacy also briefed the senators about the work on a draft new "Government programme of co-operation with the Polish diaspora," which is nearing completion and set to be adopted in 2014. He also presented a trailer of the "Atlas of Polish presence abroad," available as of today on the MFA website. It shows the Polish diaspora's main migration trends, but also outlines its history and activities. The atlas joins new cartographic design with a description of the situation in 33 countries taken from "Report on the situation of Poles and Polish diaspora abroad," published by the MFA in 2013.
"With each year we're feeling increasingly proud of Poland. We all enjoy our country's successes and appreciate its modernisation; we're seeing it with our own eyes. Polish diaspora is getting increasingly organised, modern and aware of its position in countries of residence," said Minister Sikorski, drawing attention to the role of Polish older generation and youth abroad. "We are one of the strongest groups at Western universities. We'll be able to see the real significance of this potential when this group starts building a position on job markets," he commented.
Closing his address, the chief of Polish MFA emphasised that "a changing role of Polish diaspora must be followed by our actions to tap this potential." "We support our diaspora and expect it to support Poland. So, the larger the significance of meetings like today's in the Senate," stressed Minister Sikorski.
Total funds allocated by the MFA for co-operation with the Polish diaspora in 2014 amount to PLN 93m, of which PLN 59m was assigned to Polish NGOs in an open competition to carry out a public task: "Co-operation with the Polish diaspora and Poles abroad." Diaspora-related projects by Polish diplomatic and consular posts received PLN 21m of funding. A further of PLN 11.3m has been earmarked for television activities. In 2014, co-financing is being provided for 137 competition projects and almost 1,300 projects submitted from diplomatic posts. Supporting Polish media in the East occupies an important place in the MFA's operations. The MFA assigned PLN 5.4m for this purpose in this year's grant competition.
http://www.msz.gov.pl/en/news/minister_sikorski_in_senate_on_polish_diaspora_policy
