Director Adrianna Paradowska Participates in the Conference “Polish Education Abroad: From Diagnosis to Action”
On 12 October, the Central History Point of the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) hosted a panel discussion entitled “Polish Education Abroad – Copernican Schools: From Immersion to the Strategy of the Republic of Poland”. The panel formed part of the conference “POLISH EDUCATION ABROAD: FROM DIAGNOSIS TO ACTION”, organised by the World Association “Republika Polonia” in cooperation with the Institute of National Remembrance.
Copernican Schools – The Future of Polish Education Abroad
“Copernican Schools: From Immersion to the Strategy of the Republic of Poland” was the title of the opening panel at the conference devoted to the future of Polish education abroad. This year’s gathering of the World Association “Republika Polonia”, co-organised by the Institute of National Remembrance for the first time, is the main programme event of the Association’s 6th Congress.
The conference focuses on how to effectively strengthen Polish education both in Poland and abroad, and how to build lasting ties between younger generations and the Polish language, culture and history.
One of the main topics of the discussion was the proposed Copernican Education System, a quality standard for schools and preschools in Poland and abroad. The concept combines education in the Polish language and knowledge of Poland with future-oriented competencies, including science and technology, the responsible use of artificial intelligence, multilingualism, and the development of critical and creative thinking.
Immersion is a key element of this approach. It involves creating an environment in which exposure to the Polish language and culture goes beyond a few hours of lessons and dry facts on paper. Instead, it becomes an integral part of the educational process, engaging emotions and curiosity and immersing young people in Polish culture.
Immersive Education: A Mission Pursued in Poland and Around the World
We have been pursuing our mission of immersive education since 2022. We develop educational projects for PC and virtual reality (VR) devices, enabling audiences not only to learn about events and figures from Polish history but also to experience them in an engaging, interactive environment. This approach to immersion combines historical knowledge with modern forms of storytelling and reflects the ways in which contemporary generations learn, explore the world and use technology.
Our educational projects demonstrate that modern technologies can serve as effective tools for history education, both in Poland and abroad. Games and VR experiences developed by the IPN bring history into an environment familiar to young audiences, fostering their interest in the past through interaction, emotion and independent discovery. It is precisely this combination of education, technology and immersion that embodies the vision of future-oriented education discussed by conference participants.
Adrianna Paradowska Takes Part in the Panel Discussion “Polish Education Abroad – Copernican Schools: From Immersion to the Strategy of the Republic of Poland”
One of the issues raised by Director Paradowska was how to assess the actual outcomes of education. If the Copernican education standard is to deliver lasting results, its effectiveness should be measured not by the number of lessons delivered or participants reached, but by what students genuinely retain and gain from the learning process.
One possible indicator is an increase in awareness of Poland’s historical and cultural heritage, measured using a standardised assessment tool before and after the pilot programme. Such an assessment would make it possible to evaluate not only students’ knowledge of historical facts but also their understanding of their significance, their ability to place them in a broader context, and their capacity to recognise the links between Polish heritage and the present day.
From Diagnosis to Action
The conference provided an opportunity to discuss not only the shape of contemporary Polish education abroad but, above all, its long-term significance for Poland’s future. Combining Polish history, language and heritage with modern technologies and future-oriented competencies can create an educational model that appeals to younger generations while strengthening their ties with Poland.
As the experience of the New Technology Division demonstrates, history can be more than a subject to study. It can also be an experience that engages audiences, sparks curiosity and leaves a lasting impression. Ultimately, however, the goal is not technology itself, but the individual who, through its use, gains a deeper understanding of Poland and its heritage, as well as their own place within a community spanning generations.