IPN’s New Technology Division at the First World Congress of Polish Education and Science Abroad
On 5-9 July, the First World Congress of Polish Education and Science Abroad will be held in Jachranka near Warsaw. This is an extraordinary event, offering an opportunity to meet, exchange views and experiences and to integrate the Polish communities scattered around the world. However, the most important objective for which the organisers will bring together individuals working for Polish education and science abroad will be to develop concrete proposals for systemic solutions, which will then be forwarded to the Minister of Education and Science.
The IPN’s New Technology Division will be present during the Congress for obvious reasons. New technologies offer extraordinary educational opportunities and, when used skilfully, can strengthen expatriates’ bonds with Poland and also contribute to the preservation of Polish identity abroad. For all Congress participants, the New Technology Division has prepared a New Technology Zone, which will include our projects: “Cyphers Game” about the Polish-Bolshevik war and the achievements of Polish cryptologists, “Szybowcowa ’87” about the activities of the underground Fighting Solidarity, as well as holograms and educational materials (podcasts, quizzes, scenarios for history lessons) supporting the process of teaching Polish history. A variety of projects prepared by the New Technology Divison will show teachers and managers of Polish culture abroad participating in the Congress how to tell Polish history in an attractive and modern way.
At the IPN’s New Technology Division Zone during the Congress, visitors will be able to visit the exhibition “»Strengthen your arm – serve your homeland« the 135th anniversary of the establishment of the Polish Falcons in America”, the “Archive Full of Remembrance” exhibition, as well as the publishing offer of the Institute of National Remembrance in the mobile bookshop.
The substantive and training part of the Congress will include interesting lectures on, among other things, the activities of Polish education abroad. The extensive programme will include teaching workshops, methodological training and panel discussions. On 7 July, Magdalena Hajduk, Director of the New Technology Division, during one hour workshop, will outline the broader context of the issue of the technological revolution from the perspective of the activities of the Institute of National Remembrance and will present to the audience the results of the Institute’s research contained in the 2022 and 2023 reports, as well as the most important educational activities of the IPN’s New Technology Division using modern technologies (educational games and applications, the HISTHACK marathon, the “Digital Heroes” project, a package of educational materials for teachers). Participation in meetings with people familiar with the specifics and conditions of educational and scientific work abroad will foster the establishment of valuable contacts and the identification of needs in the scope of nurturing Polish culture and identity.
The main organiser of the Congress is the St Maximilian Maria Kolbe Institute for the Development of Polish Language. The co-organisers are: The Chancellery of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Centre for the Development of Polish Education Abroad and the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange. The event was held under the patronage of the First Lady of the Republic of Poland, Agata Kornhauser-Duda.
