On Tuesday, September 30, a seminar was held at the University of Warsaw on the crisis of global organisations and the function of Poland in this debate. The gathering was organised by the European Centre of the University of Warsaw, and the participants included, among others, Deputy Minister of National Defence Cezary Tomczyk, Senator Krzysztof Kwiatkowski, Euro MP Adam Jarubas, manager of CE UW Dr. Kamil Zajączkowski, prof. Bogdan Góralczyk, Dr. Bruno Surdel and writer Wojciech Szeląg, who conducted the discussion.
The starting point was a diagnosis saying that global institutions are losing credibility. In fresh months, even the president of the United States has asked about the sense of the UN in its current form. The functioning of the planet Trade Organisation or the WHO is besides dubious, which experts believe are peculiarly susceptible to Chinese influence.
– We live in a time of geopolitical turbulence and crisis of large global organizations. Poland cannot afford the luxury of silence. We deficiency a supra-ministerial position that integrates security, economy, ecology or health," said Dr. Kamil Zajączkowski, manager of the European Centre. proceeding this, Senator Krzysztof Kwiatkowski countered that this is the function of the Ministry of abroad Affairs.
How much does Polish soft power mean?
The state's efficiency in the face of the war in Ukraine was discussed by Deputy Minister of Defence Cezary Tomczyk: "The situation has shown that in the event of a threat, first of all, it is essential to act rapidly and efficiently. The institutions must decision from bureaucratic moles to mechanisms ready for immediate response. It is simply a challenge, but besides a necessity – simplification, deregulation, faster procedures.
Meanwhile, Poland is inactive weak in the “soft strength” rankings. At the Global Soft Power Index 2025, we only advanced from 33rd to 32nd place – thanks to Israel's fall. The leaders stay the USA, China and the United Kingdom, and their strength is the holistic approach to diplomacy, referred to as the full of Government Approach (WoGA), which is consistent activities above the resorts.
– Polish diplomacy frequently resembles an untuned choir. There are peculiar moments erstwhile we talk with 1 voice, as in the United Nations. all day there is simply a deficiency of coherence and a common strategy – assessed Dr. Zajączkowski.
Similarly, prof. Bogdan Góralczyk warned: – China and India treat global organisations as an extension of their policies, securing interests on all front. With us, decisions are made in authoritative chaos, without coordination.
The planet wellness Organization’s subject was the most emotional. Experts pointed out that the WHO has for years been not a neutral institution but a field of influence and pressure. – No common line always ends with giving the field to another players. The WHO supports philanthropic-multimilliards and the pharmaceutical industry, and China and Russia are gaining more and more influence. The wellness policy of these countries is contrary to the interests of Poland and the European Union. This was peculiarly painful during the COVID-19 pandemic erstwhile the WHO ignored Taiwan's warnings about the increasing number of infections in Wuhan," stressed Dr. Bruno Surdel.
When should we speak?
In the political panel, Mr Adam Jarubas spoke, pointing out the shortcomings in Poland's activity in Brussels: – We are not talking about vigilance. We have sometimes "sleep" and do not talk in key debates. And then others decide for us. Poland cannot send conflicting signals due to the fact that this undermines trust and limits possible partnerships.
Senator Krzysztof Kwiatkowski presented a somewhat different perspective. In his opinion, effective diplomacy is not only the ability to talk but besides the awareness of erstwhile not to speak. – Taking the level on all case makes no sense. The key is to know what our priorities are and in which areas Poland should be most active. This allows us to build credibility, alternatively than distracting attention to secondary matters," stressed the senator.
Summing up the debate, Wojciech Szeląg, the talker of the meeting, noted: – erstwhile Poland is silent, others compose the script. And a country that wants to co-form a global order cannot afford it.
Conclusions from the seminar? In order to be audible and effective, Poland must decision from ad hoc ministry activities to a coherent, comprehensive diplomatic strategy. Otherwise, it will stay a passive observer of the game led by others, giving the field to countries like China, which are already consistently building their influence in global structures, from the WHO to the UN.
