A panel discussion will be held at the University of Warsaw on 7 May in cooperation with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO).
The event is part of EU Solidarity Talks: Kapuściński series – a pilot series of live discussions recorded at universities across Europe. Its aim is to provide students with direct contact with professionals engaged in humanitarian operations and crisis response, as well as to create an opportunity to ask questions about career paths, fieldwork, and decision-making processes in demanding EU and international contexts.
This panel will focus on Poland’s role in European crisis management, from the perspective of EU institutions, national emergency services, academia, and humanitarian organisations.
The discussion will be moderated by Marcin Żyła, an experienced journalist and co-creator of the acclaimed podcast Raport o stanie świata, known for its in-depth analyses of global affairs and international politics.
Discussion topics will include:
- Poland’s engagement in the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM)
- Differences between EU humanitarian aid and EU civil protection
- Crisis preparedness and response at EU and national level
- Lessons learned from recent field operations
- The contribution of scientific research and academic knowledge to building preparedness and resilience
Panellists:
- Karolina Moycho, Emergency Response Officer, Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC), European Commission (DG ECHO)
- Jacek Szczypiorski, firefighter, expert trained under UCPM, participant in the EU response following the earthquake in Turkey
- Jowanka Jakubek-Lalik, PhD, University of Warsaw, specialist in the institutional and practical aspects of the Polish crisis management framework
- Zofia Kwolek, Board Member and Head of External Relations, Polish Centre for International Aid (PCPM)
Following the panel, there will be an off-the-record Q session with students to encourage open and informal discussion.