Henryka Bochniarz urged a unified national narrative to better promote Poland’s economic achievements on the global stage at the European Forum of New Ideas.
Promoting Poland and Europe in a Competitive World
The spring edition of the European Forum of New Ideas (EFNI), held under the theme “Unlock the Potential, Build the Future,” focused on promoting Poland and Europe amidst growing global competition. Poland has significant accomplishments to showcase.
Dr. Henryka Bochniarz, Chair of the EFNI Program Council and initiator of the conference, which has been held in Sopot for years and will also be held in Warsaw from 2025, emphasized the focus on promoting Poland and Europe and building a strong, coherent narrative of the region’s economic successes.
Under-Recognized Economic Success
Bochniarz stated that EFNI is viewed as a component of their work and a response to current economic and legislative challenges. This edition prioritizes promotion because Poland has substantial economic success that remains insufficiently recognized.
Building a Strong Polish Brand
According to the Chair of the EFNI Program Council, despite the dynamic development of the country and good economic results, awareness of these achievements – both domestically and abroad – remains limited. Consequently, Poland is not fully utilizing its potential in attracting investors and building a strong brand.
Bochniarz highlighted how countries like Estonia (associated with digitization), South Korea (using culture for promotion), and Japan (combining tradition with modernity) have effectively built their images through consistent narratives.
Need for a Unified National Narrative
Today, Poland has many institutions and initiatives involved in promotion, but they are dispersed and therefore less effective. A common narrative and collaboration between various sectors – from culture and sports to the economy and science – are needed to effectively promote Poland, Bochniarz noted.
This point was also raised during Bochniarz’s opening speech at the conference, where she emphasized the need to integrate communication and leverage Poland’s economic successes to strengthen its international position.
Economic Ambassadors and Strengthening the Country’s Brand
A key panel discussion at the spring EFNI edition, moderated by Bochniarz, was titled “Economic Ambassadors: Mechanisms, People and Institutions that Strengthen the Country’s Brand.” The discussion focused on the role of economic diplomacy, business, and public institutions in building Poland’s brand as a reliable economic partner.
Participants included Wojciech Balczun, Jarosław Dąbrowski, Krzysztof Gulda, Paweł Pudłowski, Mikołaj Raczyński, and Ireneusz Raś. They discussed tools for strengthening the country’s brand and building Poland’s competitive advantages in the global market.
The Importance of a Strong European Union
Bochniarz underscored the need for a strong and active European Union, stating, “We do not want a world divided between two superpowers. Europe should actively participate in this competition.”