Scientists and engineers of Polish diaspora were debating in Vilnius

On the 11th of October in the House of Polish Culture in Vilnius, there was the 4th international conference “The contribution of Polish engineers to the development of technology and innovation that improves the economic situation in European countries”.

The international meeting was organised on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of European Federation of Polish Scientific and Technological Societies Abroad. The organiser of this conference was Polish Society of Engineers and Technicians in Lithuania.There was also the annual general meeting of European Federation of Polish Scientific and Technological Societies Abroad which associates scientific and technical associations of France, Germany, Austria, Great Britain and Lithuania. The meeting was also the occasion to celebrate their anniversary.

The basic objective of the federation is the support of integration of the community of Polish diaspora in the countries of European Union and the represetation of common interest of those communities in front of Polish authorities, the European Union and the authorities of international and non-governmental organisations, the strengthening of the co-operation with analog communities in Europe and all over world. The period of the leadership of Lithuania in the federation has finished and this function has been given to Great Britain. Around 60 scientists and entrepreneurs gathered at Vilnius conference.

“It is a great honour for us that we are the organisers of such an important international event. It is the occasion to show the city and get acquainted with local Polish diaspora organisations,” greeted guests Robert Niewiadomski, the president of Polish Society of Engineers and Technicians in Lithuania and the youngest among the leaders of European Federation of Polish Scientific Societies.

Similar conferences attract businessmen because they want to get acquainted with the activity of engineering societies. Engineers are often the representatives of big companies and corporations so business relations can be established,” added the president of Polish Society of Engineers and Technicians in Lithuania.

The participants presented their reports in which they touched many significant issues, for example the protection of environment and the influence of climate changes on our lives. The alternatives of the active use of useful minerals and innovations that unfortunately are very expensive and that is why rarely used in practice were also discussed.

„Many engineers from foreign societies and Lithuania actively co-operates with various institutions and universities. In this way, science and engineering meet. Such meetings are very fruitful in the future. An important moment in the conference was our appeal to the President of the Republic Poland Bronisław Komorowski and the Prime Minister of Poland Ewa Kopacz to grant Science and Technology Museum in Warsaw the status of a national museum. Then the museum will be financed by state budget,” shared professor Bogusław Grużewski with „Kurier”.

“In the discussion, during the summary of the results of the conference, the issue of an appeal appeared. The appeal was prepared, read and signed by the representatives of the associations of engineers and scientists from Austria, France, Germany, Great Britain and Lithuania. By this gesture, we showed that Polish diaspora tries and cares for similar objects in Poland.

One important event more took place during the international conference. In an interview for „Kurier”, the professor of physics Romuald Brazis said that Association of Polish Scientists of Lithuania was accepted to join European Federation of Polish Scientific and Technological Societies Abroad . It is some kind of a phenomenon because we are the first scientific organisation which joined it. So far, only engineers and technicians have been there.

We are the first country whose two organisations belong to the federation. It is a great success for Polish scientists of Lithuania because in this way they can enter international level. Such meetings are a great perspective of international co-operation and gaining investments for new projects.