FEML


ECONOMIC FORUM
OF YOUNG LEADERS



13th ECONOMIC FORUM OF YOUNG LEADERS

September 3-7, 2018 NOWY SĄCZ
AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET, MAKE FRIENDS AND TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE OF EUROPE

DAY 3

September 5, 2018. Venue: Nowy Sącz




Morning coffee with science, media, politics and business practitioners

Meeting no. 1:

A cup of business in the morning

Guests:
Jaak Mikkel - CEO, Coca-Cola HBC Poland
Stoyan Ivanov - CEO, Coca-Cola Poland Services, Bulgaria


Jaak Mikkel, CEO, Coca-Cola HBC Poland

Take a sip of coffee at the same table as two General Managers of the Coca-Cola system in Poland. That’s not all, the conversation is also warmly welcomed. In fact, it happens to be YOU who manage this meeting! Grab a businessman out of his schedule to have a casual chat especially with you. Ask about anything, make them uncomfortable, happy, nervous or even suspicious and make yourself unconventional in their eyes. All at the same time! Sounds challenging? Good, because you are the leader of this meeting.

Do you think you are ready to be the leader? Is the market really the way it is shown or talked about? Take an inside-look while having a breakfast with two General Managers of Coca-Cola system in Poland.



Meeting no. 2:

Save for your future!

Guest: Grzegorz Chłopek - CEO, Nationale-Nederlanden PTE S.A, Poland


Grzegorz Chłopek - CEO, Nationale-Nederlanden PTE S.A, Poland

During that meeting you will have the opportunity to gain the specialized knowledge about the financial tools and their practical application. You will meet an experienced leader, a specialist and practitioner in the field of investing and finance management on the level of home budget as well as huge enterprises. Get to know all the secrets about the newest trends in finance and labour market.



Meeting no. 3:

IKEA towards becoming “People & Planet Positive” Strategic sustainability in business.

Guest: Katarzyna Dulko-Gaszyna - Sustainability Manager at IKEA Retail, Poland


Katarzyna Dulko-Gaszyna, Sustainability Manager at IKEA Retail, Poland

The IKEA sustainability strategy - People & Planet Positive - was launched in 2012 and newly updated with ambitious goals to transform the IKEA business, the industries in the IKEA value chain and life at home for people all across the world. The company made significant progress since then, but the rapidly changing world calls for even more ambitious goals and urgent action. To create a better everyday life for the many, and to ensure the business success into the future, we must take on the challenges that face us, together. Climate change, unsustainable consumption and inequality are some of them. For business, for communities, for each of us. We will discuss on how to integrate sustainability ambitions and needs into everyday business.



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Meeting no. 4:

Leader of Wise Aid - helping others while developing your business

Guest: Tomasz Fula - Operational Manager foreign regions of Precious Gift, Poland


Tomasz Fula, Operational Manager foreign regions of Precious Gift, Poland

The largest Polish social programs, connecting millions - where they came from and how they were created? Get to know the behind the scenes of Precious Gift and Academy of the Future!

Why do people in different roles - from Volunteer, through Donors, Business Partners, to Influencers and Philanthropists - choose the programs of the Spring Association? What are the benefits?

What should wise aid look like outside of Poland? This unique form of volunteering combines helping with personal development and acquisition of business competences will be explained by the Operational Manager of foreign Precious Gift.



Meeting no. 5:

Meeting with representatives of the Daniel Morgan Graduate School of National Security

Guests:
DyQuan Washington - Senior admissions advisor at the Daniel Morgan Graduate School of National Security, USA
Steven E. Meyer, Ph. D. - Dean, Daniel Morgan Graduate School of National Security, USA


The Daniel Morgan Graduate School of National Security (DMGS) offers a professional and executive education that is easily tailored to students who wish to pursue a career in national security or those who currently work in the national security community. DMGS enables professionals to address the national security challenges of the new century by encouraging them to rethink tradition and assess new forms of policy analysis.



Meeting no. 6:

The role of young people in the UN - how to make our voice audible

Guest: Agata Krząstek - United Nation Youth Delegate of Poland


Agata Krząstek - United Nation Youth Delegate of Poland

Anyone who thinks their voice does not matter in the largest international organization in the world... this is one of the key tasks of the Youth Delegates who, together during UN General Assembly, are looking for solutions to problems, representing the interests of the YOUTH from around the world.

Is it possible to talk about what awaits us in 15 years when we are 20 years old? You can and even have to! All of us share common global challenges: difficulties in entering the labor market, climate change, discrimination. Do you think that their elimination is impossible? Everything depends on you! Introduce your ideas, present creativity and innovation that will help change the world at the local and global level. The workshop will be run by the United Nations Youth Delegate of Poland, Agata Krząstek, who for years has shown her dedication for working with her closest environment. Now she will be glad to present the results of joint discussion during workshops at the national level and internationally at the headquarters of the United Nations.



Meeting no. 7:

FAKRO - Window to Europe

Guest: Wojciech Klimek - Member of the board of FAKRO, Production Director, Poland

Meeting no. 6:

The role of young people in the UN - how to make our voice audible

Guest: Agata Krząstek - United Nation Youth Delegate of Poland


Wojciech Klimek - Member of the board of FAKRO, Production Director, Poland

During the meeting you will have the chance to listen about the history of the enterprise which has built from the scratch its product offer that currently conquers international market. Wojciech Klimek in the conversation will share his good practices with you concerning marketing and projects that are realized for the employees in the company.

FAKRO holds the position of a vice-leader of the global market for roof windows. This innovative company with its own Research & Development centre has over 160 patent applications. Numerous design solutions of FAKRO set the direction for roof window industry development around the world. The FAKRO Group, which employs more than 3 300 people, consists of 12 production companies and 16 distribution companies, located in Europe, Asia and America. FAKRO products can be found in more than 50 countries around the globe.



Meeting no. 8:

Young, talented and... afraid of failing.
A view on startup culture in creative businesses

Guest: Maciej Sadowski - Co-founder and President of Startup Hub Poland Foundation
The organizer of the meeting is: SAR Stowarzyszenie Komunikacji Marketingowej



Maciej Sadowski - Co-founder and President of Startup Hub Poland Foundation The organizer of the meeting is: SAR Stowarzyszenie Komunikacji Marketingowej

No matter if you plan a corporate, non-profit, freelance or own company career - you will be needing a startup methods and attitude. With Maciek Sadowski from Startup Hub Poland you might better understand how to attract investors, scratch a strategy, build a team and supporters, but most of all, how to accept a failure and make it your source of determination.






INTERVIEV WITH GRZEGORZ CHŁOPEK – CEO IN NATIONALE-NEDERLANDEN PTE S.A.

Why do young leaders should take care of their home budget?

‘To be able to invest effectively, to secure your future or to reach your financial goals, firstly you need to have some money that you can save something. That is why this is so important to do this from the very beginning of your professional carrier, from the time when you start your first job. I receive a salary, so I transfer 5% (ideally 10%, but it can come later) from it immediately to my second account which is less available. The point is that the money should be in a place that I cannot reach with ease. When we do not see them, we adjust our spending to the budget that we have.’

Should we learn that from the very first salary or from the young age?

‘What is the most effective is always a family education. We shouldn’t avoid it, the sooner we start, the better. When we started to give our children pocket money, my 5-year-old boy didn’t know the value of numbers yet, so he didn’t understand what sum he was receiving. However, when we were in a shop, instead of telling me: ‘Dad, buy it to me, please’, he used to ask: ‘Dad, can I afford that?’. A child starts to understand these processes, which will be valuable for further stages of his life. Unfortunately, our pensions will be quite low, because we live longer, and we have fewer children. In order to secure our future, we need to think about it as early as possible.’

For young people, receiving a pension is quite an abstract perspective.

‘When I’m on meeting with young people, I pose a question who think that will live long enough to retire. More or less half of them raise their hands. Meanwhile, the statistics show that 90% of women and 80% of men in their twenties, will reach the age of retirement. We can always have an excuse that we have some important needs, but if we postpone the decision about investing, it will, later on, become a trouble that we can’t cope with. So we will be upset because we will not be able to maintain our living standard. And we will live long.’

Do the financial decisions have an influence on the career development?

‘Definitely. If saving becomes our habit, it is easier for us to discipline ourselves also in work, no matter what it is. A young leader who saves and who knows the value of the asset will always be precious for the employer.’




Special guest of Economic Forum of Young Leaders


Guest: Anna Zalewska – Minister, Ministry of Education, Poland


Ms Zalewska concentrated on the vision of the modern education system and on the way in which it should be implemented. ‘This system should gradually banish what is old-fashioned and fossilized in order to adapt to the currently progressing technological changes. High-speed Internet connection in every educational institution, interactive whiteboard in each classroom and subject-themed rooms are the matter of our close future. Chalkboard and eraser should be thrown on the scrap heap.’

‘On the other hand, however, the technological development should not overshadow everything. We cannot allow that amongst children there is no attribute of youth in the shape of loud games and conversations. Currently, smartphones and other gadgets successfully eliminate this aspect from the school space. It has got a disintegrating effect, but after all the thing is that interpersonal relationships must be developed and it is important that youth like to spend time together. Traditional, mind-developing activities can be the cure-all for it, for example, chess, board games or toy blocks.’

‘One that is unchangeable today is the constant change. Knowledge can become outdated very easy. We do not know what kind of professions will appear in the labour market in the next years perspective. That is why a teacher should be the authority figure who educates continually. The form of classes at school should not be just theoretical any more, but rather the lessons should be devoted to making practical projects. It is important to learn from the best specialists in their fields. That can be provided by many educational platforms, but also thanks to films and speeches available on YouTube.’

The Minister underlined also that she came to the Economic Forum of Young Leaders especially to listen and to actively participate in the debate over the needs of the young generation.




ANNA ZALEWSKA - MINISTER OF EDUCATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND

‘You hear from your teachers that what they expect from education is certain stabilisation. They can’t be more wrong. The only thing that is stable in education is the ongoing change’, said the minister during her meeting with the participants of the Economic Forum of Young Leaders in Nowy Sącz. ‘Nowadays, decisions need to be made quickly, and the system should be flexible in order to react properly to what is going on in the world.’

She said also that in the close future there will be new professions that we cannot predict now. Anna Zalewska added that it is important that in schools 21st century and 4.0 revolution is visible

‘By 2020 there will be broadband Internet at speed above 100 Mb/s available in every Polish school. Currently, only 10% of all schools have access to it. There will be an interactive whiteboard in every classroom. The tradition of using chalk and eraser will be shown in school showcases as a museum exhibit,’ she said. ‘School has to impress you. A teacher should be your master who possesses absolute freedom in fulfilling the core curriculum. Theoretical lectures need to be thrown on the scrap heap. Today’s perception is different. The teacher cannot speak more than 15 minutes, because it is you that should speak in the classroom, obviously after being prepared by the teacher. Theory must go hand in hand with practice. Language, mathematical, IT and social competencies are also very important. You must learn how to be with others. Nowadays silence during school breakes, when all the students watch their phone screens, is a message that we have gone too far. In many countries, there are decisions made to turn off the mobile phones in schools. In Poland, since 2017, headmasters and teachers can do this, obviously with the permission from child’s parents.’

In the end, the minister encouraged the participants to be involved and act even more than before. ‘You should be the leaders of changes. Today we want to listen to you. Without your intelligence, ambitions and decisions any education system can function. I am glad that I am here with you. That is why now I sit down and listen to you.’






Panel discussion:
Enterprises in the world of smart products ‒ Industry 4.0 technologies at your fingertips


Moderator: Kuba Gąsiorowski, Ph.D. - Co-managing partner, WEBER Lawyers Polska

Panellists:
Saulius Bilys - CEO, AB Amber Grid, Lithuania
Predrag Tasevski - Founder in IGF MK, Macedonia
Katarzyna Tomoń - Head of the Organization Development Department in the Office of the Board, FAKRO, Poland
Piotr Hołubowicz - CEO, Co-founder, SEEDiA, Poland


Transformation of business processes. Change in production paradigms. New industries. What does the implementation of 4.0 solutions involve? How will the development of operational and IT technologies or the development of the Internet of Things contribute to the mobility of jobs, the creation of new products and services? What are the prospects for cooperation between the public sector and innovative enterprises? Will the law keep up with technology?



ENTERPRISES IN THE WORLD OF SMART PRODUCTS ‒ INDUSTRY 4.0 TECHNOLOGIES AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

What is the impact of operational and IT technologies on our live and work? This issue was analysed by the guests of the panel discussion about 4.0 industry – the next revolution that is going on in our civilization. ‘A good example of that can be start-ups which aren’t just about making money, but about technology development to make it useful, simple and understandable for the receivers. While creating it, one should always think about people that will use it,’ underlined Predrag Tasevski, the founder of Governance Forum Macedonia.

Saulius Bilvs, CEO in AB Amber Grid, pointed out that huge companies are too big for new ideas. ‘Corporate structures reduce the appetite for taking risk. Don’t be afraid of being independent. Do realize your ideas and, most of all, don’t be afraid of failure,’ he advised young leaders.

The panellists underlined that technological changes will affect the labour market. There will be new industries, new areas of business development. This will have its impact on workplaces. Some of them will be taken away by robots. What can we do not to remain unemployed in the future?

‘History shows that technological advance creates more new workplaces than destroys. Boring and repetitive jobs that nobody wants to do, will disappear. What will appear, then? It is difficult to speculate about specific positions, but surely there will be a demand for such features as fantasy, creativity and responsibility,’ said Saulius Bilvs.

Predrag Tasevski noted: ‘Technology is more and more intelligent, but it needs to be managed by intelligent people. It is worth placing importance on education.’ Katarzyna Tomoń, Head of the Organization Development Department in FAKRO agreed with him. She underlined also that in the future jobs there will be a need for people that can control technologies, but also for those who can read data. ‘These are the basis for planning the future of an enterprise,’ she said. People who can communicate with the world, with clients and who can find themselves in a multitude of information, will be appreciated too. These are the competencies that companies need.

She also drew attention to the risks that are connected to the development of new technologies. Katarzyna Tomoń: ‘Security and privacy policy are the challenges that are waiting for us. New businesses that will evolve include also psychology and psychiatry, because after all, we need to take care also of our relationships not to shift them to the virtual world, to be able to preserve humanity.’



Special Guest of Economic Forum for Young Leaders:
Computerization in health service


Guest: Łukasz Szumowski - Minister, Ministry of Health, Poland


The message that was transmitted to the young leaders by the Minister of Health was to make them realise what is their role in society. Healthcare is extremely difficult but at the same time an important sector of national politics. It is one of the most important sectors, according to opinion polls, but also the most complicated when it comes to good management.

‘On the Economic Forum in Krynica, the whole day was devoted to that topic. What brings many troubles is especially facing difficult dilemmas, also those connected to ethics and philosophy, such as the question: on what we should put the emphasis – on prophylaxis or treatment? After all, the financial means for healthcare, despite they are supposed to increase in the next years, are limited.’

‘Politicians, customarily treat this sector neglectfully, because it is extremely difficult to reinvent, however, the mistakes and slip-ups are unforgivable. We need to pose a question: what type of person can be the leader in this field? Should it be a manager, doctor, expert, scientist…? This is an open question. It is normal that every doctor cares most for his or her chosen specialisation. Is it justifiable, therefore, devoting a bigger sum of money to fight with problems that are connected to it specifically?’

‘Currently, thanks to scientific achievements – big data, algorithms, inventions – we can quite precisely optimise management in medicine. In order to maintain this trend, various forces need to cooperate, hence the involvement in the matter of other ministries, from digitisation to the Ministry of Finance. This cooperation will surely be able to give better results than individual actions. One of the features of a leader is asking questions, admitting the lack of knowledge, instead of blindly trying to go in an uncertain direction and not being able to say that you were mistaken. Such an attitude is an inexcusable cause of shame. We should avoid cul-de-sacs and that is why we have these networking sessions and areas for the exchange of thoughts,’ said the Minister.




ŁUKASZ SZUMOWSKI - COMPUTERIZATION IN HEALTH SERVICE

The Minister of Health, Łukasz Szumowski underlined, that health is not only about treatment, therapies, prophylaxis, but this is also a field of developing new technologies, innovative management and application new solutions. ‘Nowadays medicine can’t develop without algorithms. This is the base to the work of resonance, CT scanner or USG. Formerly, such thing as death commissions existed. They decided which patient would receive renal replacement therapy, in other words, who would survive. Today, thanks to technology development and processes optimisation, everyone has access to this type of treatment. In the past, every third or the fourth patient died because of a heart attack. Today each of them can remain alive. That is why the innovativeness in health service is so important,’ claimed Mr Szumowski.

He added also that healthcare is an important field in the process of economic development, as well as in politics. The decisions that are made have a considerable impact on the election results and on the future of people who work in politics. ‘Health service in Poland is worth about PLN 100 billion of public money. How should we spend it? What to do to optimise this expense? How can we make savings to reach the level of at least 1%, which gives us an additional million, through the optimisation of hospitals work? This is the area of implementing new technologies and processes that will make spending more efficient,’ said the Minister.

He pointed out, at the same time, the role of leaders in this field. Who should become one? A doctor, financier, manager, politician? The number of questions rises: which groups out of all those who benefit from public money are the most important? What algorithms to apply to spend money more fairly, which not always means equally? Invest in prophylaxis or rather in therapy? We are talking also about philosophy and ethics. The answers to these questions are not easy, but the responsibility for solving these problems is even bigger. ‘This is the challenge for a leader, but also for some expert teams that surround him’, said the Minister, as he turned to the young people: ‘Remember that it is not a shame to admit that you don’t know something. The shame is when you don’t know the solution, but instead of searching for help from people that you trust, you pretend that everything is OK.’





Panel discussion: The 4.0 Leader in action.

Moderator: Marek Zając, Poland

Panellists:
Katarzyna Dulko-Gaszyna - Sustainability Manager at IKEA Retail, Poland
Oleksander Yarema - Deputy Minister, Ministry of Youth and Sport of Ukraine
Agnieszka Piela - HR Manager, Demant Technology Centre, Poland
Kaja Kuczynska - Co-founder in SkyBrook Venture Partners, USA
Tomasz Fula - Operational Manager foreign regions of Precious Gift, ‘Wiosna’ Association, Poland


The development of digital technologies forms a new culture of communication and significantly changes the dynamics of interpersonal relationships - not only does it extend their reach, but it also makes the communication process more egalitarian. The 4th industrial revolution influences the formation of a new kind of leader and the development of new ways of managing people. How does it change the role and method of functioning of the leader in society and in the professional environment? How did the road to building authority change in the conditions of the 4th Industrial Revolution? Who is the Leader 4.0?



PANEL DISCUSSION: THE 4.0 LEADER IN ACTION

What is the leader’s role in the era of the industrial revolution? The panellists rightly observed that a good leader does not squeeze people like a lemon to reach the goal. ‘A modern leader should be a person that develops people, gives them space, motivates to achieving their aims. Trust is crucial. We have to trust that people want to work as good as they can,’ observed Agnieszka Piela, HR Manager in Demant Technology Centre.

The co-founder of SkyBrook Venture Partners, Kaja Kuczynska sees the fundamental difference between Poland and the United States in the attitude of leaders. ‘In the US, leaders represent the bottom-up approach. We let our workers act more independently, we reduce the control. In Europe, I observe the top-down approach. Here, you work with the leaders who have a very high opinion of themselves and who put pressure on the workers to make them realise their own ideas. They don’t necessarily think about what is going on in the organisation. That is a risky model,’ claimed Ms Kuczynska.

Sustainability Manager at IKEA Retail, Poland, Katarzyna Dulko-Gaszyna, observed that corporations very often are seen by young people who enter the labour market, to be bloodthirsty and taking away from people what is the best in them. ‘There are fewer such companies now. International corporations are currently more friendly and good to work in,’ she said. ‘The first chairman that I worked for, at the very beginning asked me what is my mission. I got to know that I should be glad about my life and that I am supposed to bring my values to the company. To become a leader you need to have the desire to do great things, you have to possess your mission. I have the impression that it is most of all passion and credibility that convince young people to choose specific companies,’ said Ms Dulko-Gaszyna.

Deputy Minister of Youth and Sport of Ukraine, Oleksander Yarema agreed with her. He said: ‘Young people don’t want to be just a passive part of the system any more. They want to change the world, have an influence on something. In the 4.0 revolution they don’t only want to get money, but they fulfil their ideas, they are active and that all have its effect in their professional life.’

In fact, that is not only about the professional life, but also about the charity work, which was proven by Tomasz Fula from ‘Wiosna’ association that organizes for example ‘Szlachetna Paczka’ campaign. ‘This wouldn’t work without the help of voluntary workers. We gather motivated people who are ready to help. Our research shows that after the first year of volunteering, people who are involved get more, that is, the opportunity for development, social competencies, they learn how to be a leader,’ said Mr Fula. He also encouraged to be involved in social activity.




Report presentation:
#MłodziPrzyGłosie [ENG: Voice of Youth].
What impacts career decisions of youth?

Representatives of Coca-Cola Poland Services


Every year the number of young people without precise plans for their future is growing. Studies regarding the causes of decisions made by young Poles on whether to continue education or to begin their professional career have been scarce. Furthermore, it has not been investigated why young people in Poland become discouraged to continue education, and choose to start a job.

These matters are the subject of the research and report prepared by Deloitte and commissioned by Coca-Cola. The report attempts to analyse which factors influence educational and professional decisions of young Poles, starting from the choice of a higher education or a job (aged 18-19) until their graduation and first experiences on the labour market as young adults (aged 24-16).

The document also shows how the weight of individual factors differs based on social status and geography. The analysis is also confronted with European trends. In addition, the report includes opinions and expectations of young Poles regarding their own career, employers and the state. The research is concluded by a range of recommendations which can assist young people in taking important life decisions, while having a positive impact on both the economy and the society.




Special guest of Economic Forum of Young Leaders

Guest: Beata Szydło - Deputy Prime Minister of Poland


It was yet another visit of Deputy Prime Minister in Nowy Sącz on the Economic Forum of Young Leaders. She expressed her joy and appreciation of constantly growing panache of the event.

‘The number of people interested in the debate about Europe’s and world’s future that have met here this year makes me very happy’, she said. ‘It fits into the topic of the meeting in Krynica – Europe of common values or Europe of common interests? It is the right topic to discuss for those who are truly interested in creating the future, but at the same time, this is a very difficult question because it touches the core of the functioning of the European Union, which seems to forget about the Christian values that are supposed to be its base.’

‘Today’s multifaceted problems of Europe are the effect of forgetting about its foundations. Public and economic bodies should answer one important question: what do they want to achieve? The biggest problem that appears on our continent is demography. We must develop such solutions that will be able to face that challenge through the increase in birth rate and through making Poles come back from the emigration. It is a worry of many countries in today’s Europe.’

‘It is difficult to get the idea of what the new world, mostly composed of elderly people will look like. Entrepreneurs complain about the lack of workers, which is a phenomenon that threatens further development of companies. May debates like this contribute to finding effective solutions,’ she concluded




SPECIAL GUEST OF THE FORUM - BEATA SZYDŁO, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

‘The time when you enter political and economic life is not an easy one, as we are in the middle of a huge crisis that has been going on in Europe for years now’, told the young leaders Deputy Prime Minister, Beata Szydło. She underlined that one of the main challenges that are waiting for our continent is a demographical crisis. ‘Discussing problems of depopulating and ageing of Europe is not popular amongst politics, because this issue demands patience and systemic solutions, not only in one country but on the European level,’ said Ms Szydło.

She reminded that we are heading further challenges: the migration crisis, economic troubles, unemployment and even the next economic crises. ‘You are the people who will have to face these problems and search for the difficult answers. Remember that Europe is a value, not only a business. Everyone has their own country, language and homeland, but we were born on the same continent and thanks to that we have common routes and traditions. This is our responsibility – both, politicians and young people – to care for our future,’ claimed Ms Szydło.

She underlined also that what can be helpful to young people is a wise education system. ‘It should fit your expectations, but also it should be adjusted to the labour market, for you to be able to compete and to fulfil your professional dreams. We are now working on the reform to change the education system. This is a long perspective that needs constant observation in order to implement necessary corrections and improvements,’ said she.

She announced that the European Union as the community also will be changing. Even now there are a couple of ideas for the development: a two-speed Europe, strengthening of national states, liberalisation. Ms Szydło: ‘After all, the European Union will handle all the crises and solve all the problems that are waiting. It is difficult to imagine Europe without the Union. We all have too much in common and there are too many benefits from that, so we can’t resign from the cooperation. Let us wish Europe to be a good place for young people. A secure place where fantastic ideas are created to serve humanity.’





Panel discussion:
Patriotism 4.0 - competitive community or economic egoism of the Regional Groups?

Moderator: Bogusław Chrabota - Managing editor in „Rzeczpospolita”, Poland

Panellists:
Zanda Kalnina-Lukasevica - Parliament Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Latvia
Yan St-Pierre - CEO, Counter-Terror Consultant - Modern Security Consulting Group MOSECON GmbH, Germany
Tudor Buzatu - Secretary of State, Government of Romania


The impact of Regional Groups on current European Community policy. Implementation of innovative solutions for the labor market, economy and cybersecurity at the level of national states. How can the European Union find a balance between the interests of the community and the individual economic ambitions of the member countries? What are the consequences of digitization for the internal politics and the EU security environment?



PATRIOTISM 4.0 - COMPETITIVE COMMUNITY OR ECONOMIC EGOISM OF THE REGIONAL GROUPS?

‘Modern patriotism is about building a stronger country with the help of law-abidingness, freedom, equality, tolerance and solidarity, so with the help of European values. We shouldn’t confuse it with nationalism or isolationism, because these tendencies do not bring anything beneficial neither to the country nor the citizens. That is why separating from others does not make sense. We have to support free trade and further European integration,’ explained Zanda Kalnina Lukasevica, Parliament Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Latvia. She added also that regional cooperation is extremely important. ‘History shows that where there was some kind of threat or danger, those won who acted together. Only this can give a bigger guarantee of security.’

The panellists devoted a great deal of time to discuss the changes in the political scene of specific European countries. Are nationalist forces really on the top? Yan St-Pierre, CEO and Counter-Terror Consultant in the Modern Security Consulting Group MOSECON GmbH from Germany, did not agree with this statement. ‘Over the past three years, lots of changes appeared in Europe, partially because of the migrant crisis. Brexit happened. In Germany, the extremely nationalistic, Eurosceptic and anti-immigrant AfD party is highly rated. But it doesn’t necessarily mean that German people support nationalism. It can be perceived like that from the outside, but I observe it from the inside. AfD high rate is rather an expression of certain dissatisfaction with current politics, the lack of trust in the establishment. A similar thing happened recently in the United States, where Donald Trump, who assure people that he will make America great again, became president.’

In turn, Tudor Buzatu, Romanian Secretary of State in the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, said that the populists use nowadays a nationalistic message in order to defeat political capital. ‘They try to intercept voters by making catchy slogans. It works, so they are able to convince many people to become their supporters. But in reality, these politicians don’t see themselves as nationalists at all. This is just a simple opportunistic choice.’

In the end, Mr St-Pierre asked the participants of the Economic Forum of Young Leaders not to search just for one identity. Tudor Buzatu reminded that unity in diversity is one of the most important rules of the European Union.




Debate: Higher education in terms of the development of modern technology and changes in the labor market

Host of the Debate: Student Parliament of the Republic of Poland

Moderator: Tomasz Tokarski - President of the Student Parliament of the Republic of Poland

Panellists:
Piotr Müller - Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Poland
Miguel Athayde Marques - Vice-Rector of Catholic University of Portugal
Gabriele Simoncini - President of GENF International Consulting, Italy
Julia Patorska - Sustainability Consulting Central Europe, Deloitte, Poland
Agnieszka Wąglorz - Participant of EFYL, Polska Debatuje, Poland
Peter Balazs - Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Director, Professor, Central European University Center for European Neighborhood Studies, Hungary




HIGHER EDUCATION IN TERMS OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY AND CHANGES IN THE LABOR MARKET

Piotr Müller, Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, reminded that on October 1, the so-called The Constitution of Science comes into effect. ‘The autonomy of higher education will be broadened. This Act will not impose on universities how they should organise the work. There will also be a new system of assessing scientific research. The university staff is supposed to focus on science, first of all, not on earning points’ – he enumerated the most important changes.

Julia Patorska, the leader of the Economic Analysis Department in Deloitte Poland, told young people what should be changed in the education system for them to be able to find themselves on the labour market. ‘Competencies that are given to young people in the universities not always meet employers’ expectations. They search for workers who possess soft skills. The ability of logical thinking, cooperation, communicativeness, reasoning abilities. These are the principal features that recruiters pay attention to. It turns out that what we learnt a couple of years ago, today can be useless. That is the reason why self-development is crucial. One more advice from me: those who gain their professional experience earlier, have more successful life later on.’

What is the perspective of those who enter the labour market right now? ‘The main problems of Polish universities are non-individualised classes for students which are conducted in large groups. It is worth taking into consideration also which faculties and subjects should no longer be proposed to students. It happens that someone graduates from a prestigious major, but later on has problems with finding a job. That is the case of, for example, law graduates,’ said Agnieszka Wąglorz from Polska Debatuje Foundation.

Gabriele Simoncini from Italy, President of GENF International Consulting, pointed out that this is globalisation which mostly changes the way of transferring knowledge. ‘The higher education system treated universities as knowledge factories. Nowadays we observe the completely different situation in the world and the new technologies enforce dynamic changes also in the field of education. The new generation needs to be prepared for professions that do not exist yet. This is a tough task to do, and honestly, I don’t know how to do it.’

Prof. Péter Balázs, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Director of Central European University Centre for European Neighborhood Studies from Hungary, warned the young people that in the pursuit of reinventing higher education, we cannot forget about the most important issue: ‘The world needs people who possess knowledge, because you can’t google everything. This is not true that the human brain is overloaded. There is still some space to input new data.’





Debate of Council for Children and Youth:
When social projects meet business. Financing activities of young leaders

Moderator: Szymon Knitter - Morena Association, Poland

Panellists:
Waldemar Zbytek - Vice President of Warszawski Instytut Bankowości, Poland
Magdalena Golba - Student Association of Foreign Affairs of the Warsaw School of Economics, Public Affairs Consultant w Vision Group, Poland
Przemysław Wilczyński - Fundraiser in Gnyszka Fundraising Advisors, Poland
Marcin Zachowicz - Communication Director, TDJ S.A., Poland


The most valuable employee is the proactive one, the one who is experienced in implementing own initiatives. How to encourage private sector to invest in youth projects of their potential future employees? What drives these enterprises, which eventually decide to entrust financial funds to the young? What possibilities open up for young leader thanks to the dynamically developing 4.0 business?



WHEN SOCIAL PROJECTS MEET BUSINESS. FINANCING ACTIVITIES OF YOUNG LEADERS

Loads of practical pieces of advice, examples, and hints heard the participants of the last debate of day 3 of the Economic Forum of Young Leaders. Magdalena Golba, Public Affairs Consultant in Vision Group said: ‘I recommend volunteering to everyone. This is a long-term investment, but I can assure you it will pay off in the future. I started voluntary work in the school council. Now I’m a student of Warsaw School of Economics. I’m the chairperson of the Academic Circle of Foreign Affairs and I coordinate the Diplomacy Action. What is more, I’m a Senator and a member of the Council of the World Economy College. By joining small initiatives I started to cooperate with the greatest number of ambassadors and international organisations. In May, when I was standing arm in arm with ambassadors from all around the world, I realised, what I achieved thanks to the small steps method in not that long time and that I did it all by myself. Networking is also extremely important here and I strongly encourage you to create the net of valuable relationships and acquaintances, because you can benefit from that later on.’

The participants had the opportunity to get to know how they can successfully realise their own initiatives. ‘Each social project can possess funds raised from outside, but it is worth trying to do it yourself. That’s how you gain experience and new skills which can be priceless in your professional life. People who know how to talk with businessmen, effectively implement their ideas, that is, to be enterprising, will be assessed positively by potential donors and employers.’

‘It is crucial to be well-prepared for meetings with people who decide to give you funds. It’s good to check what they’ve done before, where they worked, even what they like to do in their free time. Such knowledge, shown at the very beginning, can turn out to be so important that your project will get the financial support,’ gave his advice Waldemar Zbytek, Vice President of Warsaw Banking Institute.

Przemysław Wilczyński, the fundraiser in Gnyszka Fundraising Advisors said that young people shouldn’t be discouraged if they won’t manage to raise funds for their project with the first, second or third attempt. ‘While analysing your idea, start with answering the question of who is the final beneficent and what changes do you want to introduce in the world with the help of your project. It is really important to define meticulously these questions. This is fundamental. At the very beginning tell the story to the potential donor about how your project will change the world for the better. Begin with people that you already know. It will be much easier for you to make contact.’




PODSUMOWANIE
Wtorek na XIII Forum Ekonomicznym Młodych Liderów


Liderem trzeba się urodzić czy tej roli można się nauczyć? Jakie cechy i umiejętności powinien posiadać przywódca? Na czym tak naprawdę polega prowadzenie innych do wspólnego celu? To właśnie te kwestie były głównym przedmiotem dyskusji w czasie drugiego dnia XIII Forum Ekonomicznego Młodych Liderów w Nowym Sączu.

Już w czasie sesji otwierającej Forum marszałek województwa małopolskiego Jacek Krupa podkreślił, że do Nowego Sącza zjechali ludzie, którzy za chwilę wezmą świat w swoje ręce. - To wielkie wyzwanie, ale i odpowiedzialność - mówił i zaznaczył, że bycie liderem i praca na rzecz choćby swojej lokalnej społeczności pozwala człowiekowi zostawić ślad na ziemi: materialny, ale też mentalny, intelektualny. Po porostu wpływać na innych ludzi..

Do uczestników zwróciła się też Agata Dziubińska-Gawlik, prezes Europejskiego Domu Spotkań - Fundacji Nowy Staw. - Życzę wam, młodzi liderzy, żebyście w czasie tego Forum kreatywnie uczestniczyli w dyskusjach, kreowali nowe pomysły, poszukiwali nowych rozwiązań, by móc je później przekazać kolejnym pokoleniom - powiedziała..

Inspirujący wykład motywacyjny, zakończony gromkimi brawami, dała Oktawia Gorzeńska, dyrektorka 17 LO w Gdyni, członkini dwóch globalnych sieci The Global Change Agents, fundacji Ashoka oraz Microsoft Innovator Educator Experts. - W byciu liderem istotne są trzy kluczowe rzeczy: refleksja, zbudowanie silnego środka i poczucie własnej wartości, które daje odwagę do działania. To wszystko można doskonalić - przekonywała w czasie wykładu..

No właśnie, Gorzeńska stoi na stanowisku, że liderem wcale nie trzeba się urodzić, choć pewien potencjał, z którym przychodzimy na świat też ma znaczenie. - Przede wszystkim kształtują nas jednak wzorce, które obserwujemy. Moim zdaniem przywództwo można praktykować. To nie jest tak, że rodzimy się już ukształtowanymi liderami. Zmieniają się przecież sposoby przewodzenia ludziom, zmieniają się problemy, wyzwania, więc ważne jest, by ciągle się rozwijać, szukać, zadawać sobie pytania - podkreślała..

Podobnego zdania jest współzałożycielka „Sukces Pisany Szminką” Olga Legosz, która we wtorek poprowadziła dla uczestników Forum warsztat „Odkryj w sobie przywódcę”. - Każdy może być liderem, musi tylko chcieć, mieć wizję i pewien zasób cierpliwości. Cała reszta to kwestia nauki. Obalamy mit, że do przywództwa potrzebne są wrodzone predyspozycje - mówiła. Przyznała jednak, że młodzi ludzie często patrzą na taką tezę sceptycznie. Są przyzwyczajeni do szkolnego modelu postrzegania lidera jako charyzmatycznej jednostki o konkretnych cechach, niczym Napoleon. - Jeśli tego nie masz, nie pociągniesz innych? To nie jest prawda. Sposobów na bycie liderem jest wiele. Problemy z tą rolą wynikają z tego, że przyjmujemy model zarządzania nieadekwatny do sytuacji, odbiorców czy swojej osobowości. Wszystko da się wypracować, tylko trzeba to zrobić w zgodzie ze sobą - zauważyła..

Anna Szlęk, trenerka w zespole trenerskim Narodowej Agencji Programu „Erasmus+”, też podkreśla względność tej roli. We wtorek poprowadziła warsztat „Lider między wschodem a zachodem”. Wspólnie z uczestnikami Forum zastanawiała się, co znaczy być liderem w różnych krajach, jak charakter tej roli zmienia się w zależności od kultury, w której wyrastamy. - Model liderstwa zależy też od tego, kim jesteśmy, jaką mamy osobowość, predyspozycje czy w jakiej znajdujemy się sytuacji. Czasami wybierzemy wzór bardziej demokratyczny, czasami sytuacja wymaga, żebyśmy byli bardziej autorytarni, czasami bardziej perswazyjni - mówiła..

W byciu liderem znaczenie ma kreowanie swojego wizerunku publicznego. Swojej marki osobistej, jak mówi Mateusz Salach, ambasador programu „Projektor - wolontariat studencki”. We wtorek poprowadził warsztat o tworzeniu vloga jako nowoczesnego narzędzia e-marketingu. Uczestnikom podpowiadał, jak dobrze prezentować swoje treści w tej formie, jak docierać do jak największej liczby odbiorców, czyli zwiększać tzw. zasięgi..

Z kolei Patryk Klej, prezes zarządu stowarzyszenia Youth Human Impact, przekonywał uczestników Forum, że organizacja i uczestnictwo w projektach młodzieżowych już od najmłodszych lat w przyszłości może pomóc wejść na rynek pracy. - Takie doświadczenia pozwalają wykształcić umiejętności najbardziej pożądane na rynku pracy, a więc inteligencję emocjonalną, umiejętność pracy w zespole, zarządzania czasem, stresem. Jeśli pracodawca trafi na osobę z takimi kompetencjami, zaoszczędzi czas i pieniądze na jego szkoleniu - wyjaśniał. I inspirował do działania: - Jesteśmy młodzi, ale mamy dużo do zainwestowania, przede wszystkim swój czas, którego starszym często brakuje. Poświęćmy go na tworzenie projektów międzynarodowych i bycie aktywnym.


REPORT FROM 13TH FORUM


GALLERY 13TH FORUM




FORUM ORGANIZERS


HONORARY PATRONAGE
MINISTER OF NATIONAL EDUCATION


MAIN PARTNER


CITY HOST


CO-FINANCING


OFFICIAL PARTN


PARTNER

FEML


MEDIA PARTNER