It was held in London on 30th June 2006 at Polish Social & Cultural Centre (POSK)

Organizers:
The European Federation of Polish Scientific & Technological Societies Abroad (headquarters in Vienna ), The Institution of Polish Engineers in Great Britain (STP), The Polish University Abroad (PUNO), The Polish Social and Cultural Centre (POSK) and the Polish Federation of Scientific and Technical Associations (FSNT-NOT) - headquarters in Warsaw .

Co-organisers:
The Federation of Poles in Great Britain, The Polish Association of Arts and Sciences Abroad (PTNO- headquarters in London), The Trade and Investment Promotion Department of the Polish Embassy in London, The Polish City Club-London and the Polish media in Great Britain.

Honorary Patron: Mr Ryszard Kaczorowski - the last Polish President-in exile

Introduction

For several years we have observed the massive emigration of our fellow countrymen from Poland for economic reasons. At present a significant, although difficult to estimate, group of new Polish migrants is living in Great Britain , amongst whom there are a large number of technicians, degree graduates in engineering and specialists in other fields educated in Poland .

Some of these specialists having decided to stay in Britain permanently will enrich the ranks of British industry and business. The remainder will treat their exodus as a temporary solution, with the aim of earning some money, gaining qualifications and eventually returning to Poland .

The lack of jobs in their professions, the lack of opportunity for self-improvement, accreditation and the development of skills - constitute the main reason why knowledge acquired in Poland is not further developed – and will be detrimental to their chances of employment after their return to Poland .

A real danger therefore exists that they will permanently lose the opportunity of returning to the profession they learnt and formerly practiced.

The perspective of the further enlargement of the European Union through the admission of new member states increases the threat for Polish specialists.

Conscious of the situation of Polish specialists living in Great Britain , mindful of the dangers, but also the opportunities for their professional development and for ensuring an engineering-technical workforce for Poland the organizers of the Forum propose:

• That Polish specialist in the UK be given the opportunity to improve their skills and thereby assure their future employment in Poland , perhaps in new British Firms
• The organization of a wide-ranging improvement of qualifications ‘ to keep abreast with new developments’’ (so called life long learning)
• The opportunity for obtaining new professional qualifications.

The logistical base which we possess is inadequate and it is therefore imperative that Poland invests in the logistical support and manpower which is indispensable. The assistance of the British side would be welcomed as well. However, the organization of these services by Polish specialists is of much greater use than the training of this workforce in British professional organizations, especially at the outset when knowledge of English maybe weak.

Bearing in mind the advantages for this specialized force of Polish manpower, during the Forum we wish to discuss and propose solutions for the benefit of our fellow countrymen and Poland .

We are convinced, that the issues raised are also of concern to you, testimony of which will be your

Involvement in the organization and your participation in the FORUM, to which we sincerely invite you.

Programme

The language of Forum will be Polish

10:30-10:45 Registration of participants in POSK (where the Forum will be held).

• Opening of the Forum
• Welcome address by dr Olgierd Lalko – chairman of the Polish Social & Cultural Centre as the host of the Forum (POSK )
• Welcoming address for guests and participants on behalf of the organizers – Mr Krzysztof Ruszczyński –chairman of he STP
• Letter from the prime-minister of Poland Mr Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz
• Presentation of the proposed programme of the Forum election of chairmen of the sessions and of the Committee to draft the final proposals.

11:30 – First session (paper presentations)

11:30-12:00 – An attempt to define the genesis of the latest wave of migrants within the EU. Social and economic problems – Paper from Middlesex Universit y

12:00 -12:15 – Coffee break

12:15-12:40 – Employment problems in Great Britain , encountered by university graduates, technologists and technicians as well as other engineering specialists. Aim: the definition of common problems, methods of solution leading to advancement in employment. Paper by the Institution of Polish Engineers in Great Britain (STP).

12:40-13:00 – An attempt to define an optimal educational model for upgrading the knowledge and skills of the young Polish migrant work force living in the UK – leading to their advancement in employment opportunities – as well as their chances of finding relevant employment after returning to Poland. Paper by the PUNO ( Polish University Abroad located in London ).

13:00 – 14:30 – Lunch break at Łowiczanka restaurant at POSK

14:30 – Second Session - discussion

Discussion of the problems raised during the two previous sessions and the chances of their solution Benefits foreseen.

16:00 – 16:15 – coffee break

16:15 – 16:35 – The formulation of the draft proposals by the Drafting Committee. During this time there will be a presentation: ’The value of technical journals – in enriching knowledge (based on the example of the ‘Polish Engineering Weekly – “Przegląd Techniczny” on the occasion of its 140-th Anniversary. Paper prepared by The Federation of the Scientific and Technical Associations – NOT in Poland .

16:35 – Presentation of the conclusions of the Forum and their acceptance.

17:00 – End of the Forum

More news from the Forum will follow only in Polish