Conference “Young, Aware, Safe!”

The GROM Foundation: Strength and Honor and the Faculty of Political Science and International Relations invite you to the academic conference “Young, Aware, Safe!”, dedicated to the role of the younger generation in the national security system. The event will take place on May 25, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Auditorium of the Old Library at the University of Warsaw.

The conference will be a platform for exchanging knowledge, experiences, and best practices concerning building a culture of security, social resilience, counteracting disinformation, and preparing young people for responsible responses in crisis situations.

The event has received honorary patronage from the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Interior and Administration, the Ministry of Digital Affairs, and the Marshal’s Office.

From 9:00 AM, educational stands prepared by, among others, the Ministry of National Defense, the Police, WSRP 1939, Bezpieczny Orlen, SOP, the Border Guard, and the State Fire Service will be available.

The official opening of the conference begins at 9:00 AM. Speakers will include:

• Ms. Agnieszka Petelicka, President of the GROM Foundation
• Mr. Robert Grey, Chancellor of the University of Warsaw
• Dr. hab. Agnieszka Bieńczyk-Missala, University Professor, Deputy Dean for International Cooperation at the Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, University of Warsaw
• Ms. Joanna Kluzik-Rostkowska, Member of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland.
• Ms. Magdalena Roguska, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Interior and Administration.
• Mr. Michał Domaradzki, Executive Director for Control and Security, Orlen S.A.
• Dr. Hubert Cichocki, President of the Łukasiewicz Research Network.

Following the opening of the conference, a lecture titled “The Role of the Younger Generation in the National Security System” will be delivered by Brig. Gen. Cezary Janowski.

The first panel, titled “Building a Culture of Safety—Challenges and Expectations,” will begin at 10:30 a.m.

The discussion will be moderated by Retired Inspector Dr. Kornela Oblińska.

The speakers are:

• Magdalena Roguska from the Ministry of Interior and Administration.
• Dr. Hubert Cichocki from the Łukasiewicz Research Network.
• Colonel Dr. Katarzyna Rzadkowska from the Veteran Center.
• Inspector Dr. Robert Żółkiewski from the Police Training Center in Legionowo, referred to in the program as CSP in Legionowo.

The panel will focus on how to create a lasting culture of security in society. Key topics will include youth and citizen education, the involvement of public institutions, the responsibility of social organizations, and the participation of the private sector, especially large companies, in activities strengthening state security.

The second panel is titled “Disinformation—How to Combat It Effectively?” and will take place at 11:45 a.m. It will be moderated by Col. (Res.) Prof. Marek Wrzosek, Ph.D., Eng.

The speakers are:

• Dr. Joanna Grubicka from the University of Słupsk.
• Dr. Monika Wysocka from the Polish Naval Academy.
• M.Sc. Eng. Marcin Chmurski from the Digital Competence Development Center of the Ministry of Digital Affairs.
• Marek Orzechowski from the Lotto Foundation.
• Inspector Beata Trojanowska from the Central Bureau for Combating Cybercrime.

Mechanisms of disinformation, recognizing false content, counteracting information warfare, and building young people’s resilience to manipulative messages and cyber threats will be discussed.

The third panel is titled “Civil Protection and Civil Defense—Facts and Myths.” It will begin at 1:30 p.m. The session will be moderated by Brig. Dr. Barbara Szykuła-Piec of the Fire Service Academy.

The speakers are:

• Dr. Daria Olender from the University of Warmia and Mazury.
• Dr. Zbigniew Bartosiak from ANSGK, Kutno.
• Volunteer Firefighter Teresa Tiszbierek from the State Fire Service.
• Senior Brigadier Dr. hab. Izabela Grabowska-Lepczak from the Main School of Fire Service.
• Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Magdalena Kozak from the Military Institute of Aviation Medicine.

The panel will address population protection and civil defense, an area particularly important in crisis situations, military threats, disasters, natural calamities, and other events requiring cooperation among administration, services, universities, local governments, and citizens.

The final panel, titled “Crisis Management—How to Respond in a Crisis?” will begin at 2:15 p.m. Dr. Wojciech Staniuk of the GROM Security Academy will moderate the session.

The speakers are:

• Joanna Sokołowska from the Marshal’s Office.
• Maciej Bukowski from the Pułaski Foundation.
• Dr. Barbara Drapikowska from the War Studies University.
• Senior Brigadier Dr. Eng. Robert Piec from the Main School of Fire Service.
• Paweł Ferst from the Marshal’s Office.

The panel concerns practical crisis response. Both the stages of crisis management and the importance of effective communication in emergency situations will be discussed.

After the four panels, Part II, practical workshops, will begin. They will take place from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM and will be in the form of rotating stations:

1. “Civil Protection —Practical Guidance for Young Leaders”
Presenter: Senior Brigadier Robert Piec, Ph.D., Eng., from the Fire Service Academy.

2. “Information vs. Disinformation—Recognizing Manipulation and Cyber Threats”
Presenter: Inspector Beata Trojanowska from the CBZC.

3.“Emergency Backpack—How to Prepare for a Crisis”
Presenters: Oktawian Zmuda, M.Sc. (Eng.), and Patrycja Rotuska-Śledź, Eng., from Orlen S.A.

4. “First Aid in Life-Threatening Situations”
Instructor: Lt. Col. Magdalena Kozak, M.D., from the Ministry of National Defense.

5. “Presentation of the ‘First Responder’ App”
Presenter: Brother Marcin Fleischer from the National Headquarters of the Volunteer Fire Department of the Republic of Poland (ZG ZOSP RP).

6. “The Academic Legion as a Means of Enhancing Students’ Defense Skills”
Instructor: Second Lieutenant (Res.) Stanisław Wojciech Wykowski.

7. “BEHOLDER – Horizon Europe Project – Strengthening the Resilience of Critical Infrastructure in Cities and Improving Safety in Public Spaces – Raising Awareness and Preparedness for CBRN-E Threats”
Instructors: Grzegorz Gudzbeler, Ph.D., Prof.; Kornela Oblińska, Ph.D.; Antoni Morawski, Ph.D.; Julia Pieklik from the University of Warsaw.

8. “MiniGo: an emergency backpack for children. Design that promotes safety”
Instructor: Dr. Agnieszka Fujak.

Additionally, there will be educational stands from: the Main School of Fire Service, BEHOLDER, CBZC, the Police Training Center in Legionowo, the ORLEN Foundation, Bezpieczny ORLEN, ORLEN OCHRONA, WSRP 1939, and the Main Board of the Association of Voluntary Fire Brigades of the Republic of Poland.

A static exhibition titled “Like GROM from a Clear Sky. Combat Missions of JW. GROM Operators in 1994–2021” will be presented.

At 4:00 PM, the conference concludes with conclusions and recommendations.