Poland of My Dreams: A Debate on the Aspirations, Expectations, and Plans of Generation Z

We invite you to a debate dedicated to the aspirations, values, and expectations of Generation Z regarding work, public policies, and Poland’s socio-economic future. The starting point for the discussion will be the results of research conducted by a team led by Professor Jacek Męcina from the University of Warsaw in collaboration with SW Research, concerning young people’s attitudes toward the labor market, professional development, and the challenges of the modern world. As Professor J. Męcina emphasizes, “Generation Z is entering the labor market in times of dynamic technological, social, and economic changes. How will young people navigate this reality? Are flexible forms of employment, remote work, and work-life balance their priorities? To what extent does work define their identity and lifestyle? Many myths have grown around this generation—can they really be suspected of having a ‘laziness gene,’ or do they perhaps seek meaning and values in work differently? What are their professional and life plans, what are their greatest expectations of employers and the state? During the panel, we will examine these issues, analyzing the needs, ambitions, and challenges young people face in the labor market. We cordially invite you to the debate!

The debate will also provide an opportunity to discuss how young people’s thinking about success, security, and professional development is changing. At the center of the discussion will be questions concerning intergenerational relations in the labor market, the importance of employment stability, and the role of public institutions and employers in creating conditions that meet the needs of the younger generation. The meeting will also become a space for confronting research findings with the experiences of Generation Z representatives themselves and an attempt to answer the question of what kind of Poland young people expect in the coming years.

Preparation and moderation: Professor Jacek Męcina (University of Warsaw)

Presentation of research findings: Professor Jacek Męcina (University of Warsaw), Dr. Marta Seredyńska (University of Warsaw), Piotr Zimolzak (SW Research)

Panelists:

Professor Jacek Męcina, University of Warsaw – panel moderator

Wiktoria Nowak, University of Warsaw student, co-founder of the GenbOOst project

Gabriela Gacek, student, GenbOOst

Weronika Satora, student, GenbOOst

Maria Szymańska, student, GenbOOst

Kacper Ćwintal, University of Warsaw student, GenbOOst

Commentary on the debate: Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk, Minister of Family, Labor, and Social Policy

Registration link: https://forms.gle/a2WVKQakdUC5hgNr8