It is already the second time that the Development Co-operation Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland has organized a forum open to a wide public, an event presenting Poland's assistance activities targeted at less developed countries. The Second Forum of Polish Development Co-operation was officially inaugurated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Radosław Sikorski, who in his speech emphasized the fact that Poland, which until quite recently received assistance itself, today allocates annually over a billion zlotys to development assistance, which in itself is the best evidence of the success of Polish economic reforms. The minister urged non-governmental organizations to take on even more audacious initiatives which in his opinion serve to enhance Poland's prestige.

Over 40 partner organizations to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented their achievements in the exhibition tents in Krakowskie Przedmieście Street, Warsaw. Amongst the exhibitors there were both non-governmental organizations as well as state institutions. The Center For Citizenship Education stand enjoyed a particular popularity with its arts and drum workshops, discussions, as well as simulation and board games in which children and youth readily participated. The Belsat TV and Radio Racja stands were also attended in great numbers. Throughout the day the Food Force tent was besieged with computer games enthusiasts who wanted to play Food Force, a game in which participants have the chance to see what it feels like to lead a humanitarian mission. The evening finals of the Food Force competition took place on the main stage gathering quite a big number of the game's fans.

The representatives of organizations which implement their projects funded within the Polish Aid programme directly on site presented several notable initiatives which featured among others the Polish Humanitarian Organisation water projects for Sudan and Afghanistan as well as the Foundation for Intercultural Education initiative supporting the development of agrotourism in Pankisi. The visitors could also learn about the Partners Poland Foundation project promoting the economic activity of the Kosovo women and about the contribution the Tischner European University has made to the development of sports culture in Palestine. On top of that, the satellite channel of the Polish TV, Belsat TV, broadcasting to Belarus presented its achievements, while on the main stage there was a live radio coverage from a volunteer in Uganda.

In numerous competitions taking place throughout the Forum young people and students were the most eager group of participants. Most of the competitors did not have any difficulties in delivering correct quiz answers. The greatest excitement both among the competition participants and the audience accompanied the competition called "A Global Village."

The Second Forum was not only an educational but also a cultural event. Performances by artists from around the world added colour to the event. There were music and dance shows from South-East Asia, Mali, Guinea, Senegal and Burkina Faso.  

During the Second Forum experts invited to participate in the Polish Radio Channel 3 live show, "Report on the State of the World", spoke in the discussion about the current dilemmas in development co-operation. Next, in a series of open debates several topics were examined such as development assistance, volunteer service abroad as well as Poland's role in foreign aid delivery to less developed countries. Journalists, representatives of the MFA as well as workers from organizations collaborating with the MFA took part in the discussions. They all stressed how difficult it is to show and talk about development assistance in the media.

 The visitors to the Second Forum could also watch the simulation of a camp hospital and speak to soldiers and members of the police force involved in development assistance. They also had the opportunity to taste traditional Ukrainian and Armenian dishes and buy hot drinks bearing the Fair Trade certification mark.

Not surprisingly, lovers of art house cinema did not fail to show up at the Forum. On Saturday afternoon they were treated to a series of free documentary shows: Darwin's Nightmare, Kites, The Boy Who Plays on The Buddas of Bamiyan and Hollow City.

The final event of the Forum, the evening concert of the Belarusian rock band N.R.M., turned out to be a genuine reward for all of those who despite the cold weather and rain turned up on the 20^th of September in Krakowskie Przedmieście.

The Second Forum of Polish Development Co-operation

Polish Aid reaches a few dozens of countries in the world. In 2007 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs funded more than 350 assistance projects targeted at the countries of Africa, Asia, South-East Europe and Latin America.

The Second Forum of Polish Development Co-operation took place on Saturday,
20 September,
11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Krakowskie Przedmieście St.
between Królewska St. and Ossolińskich St.
Warsaw, Poland

FREE ADMISSION

The Programme of the Second Forum of Polish Development Co-operation

MAIN STAGE
(Tokarzewskiego-Karaszewicza St.)

11.00 - the speech of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland, Radosław Sikorski
           presentation of the most interesting assistance projects implemented in 2007, 
           including live coverage from Uganda
12.15 - simulation of camp hospital activities with rescue squads and dogs
12.45 - competitions for the public
1.30   - performance of the folk band "Dzikie Pola"
2.15   - performance of the Sendra Tari  Damai group- dances of South-East Asia
            (demonstration and workshops for the public)
2.45   -  competitions for the public
3. 30  - simulation of camp hospital activities with rescue squads and dogs
4.00   - performance of the Sendra Tari  Damai group- dances of South-East Asia
            (demonstration and workshops for the public)
4.15   - performance of the Konoba band - music from Mali, Guinea, Senegal and Burkina Faso.  
5.15   - "Food Force" computer game finals
5.45   - concert of the Bielarusian rock band N.R.M.

EXHIBITION SPACE
(the stretch of Krakowskie Przedmieście St. between Królewska St. and Ossolińskich St.)

More than 40 exhibition stands of Polish NGOs, public institutions and UN agencies supporting global development and human rights. Reports on the implementation of the most interesting assistance projects in the countries of Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe (see the reverse side for the exact location of particular stands). 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Stand

• information on how Poland provides assistance to the world
• an opportunity to talk to the employees of the Development Co-operation Department of the MFA
• photo exhibition "Polish Aid to the World 2007"
• multimedia kiosk with an access to the Polish Aid website www.polishaid.gov.pl information on how Poland provides assistance to the world

"FOOD FORCE" COMPUTER GAME - open competition. Conduct a humanitarian mission!
(Krakowskie Przedmieście St. near Karowa St.)
12.00 - 4.15

EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS  for children and youth.
11.00 - 6.00

• „A Mysterious Journey across Continents: All-day Art Workshops for Children and Youth" conducted by the Żory Municipal Museum.
• Educational workshops and games conducted by the Centre for Citizenship Education in tents: "Gry edukacyjne" (Educational games) and "Warsztaty edukacyjne" (Educational Workshops)

12.00 Bingo competition, the finals at 5.30 - for all visitors to the Forum
12.00 Access to potable water
12.00 Europe for development
12.00 Drum workshop
1.30 Get to know Africa
1.30 How to become a volunteer in the countries of the Global South
1.30 Africa - a board game measuring 40 square metres!
3.00 In the land of the Bayaka Pigmies 
3.00 Fair trade
3.45 "A Good Project for a School in Tanzania" - a simulation game
4.30 Fashionably and ethically

FILMS AND DISCUSSIONS for youth
Conducted by the Centre for Citizenship Education in the "Filmy i dyskusje dla młodzieży" (Films and discussions for youth) tent.

12.00 - „My kupujemy, kto płaci?" (We Buy, Who Pays?)
1.30 - „Warsztat Świętego Mikołaja" (Santa Claus Workshop)
3.00 - „Fundusz dla Kambodży" (A Fund for Cambodia)
4.30 - „Święta woda" (Holy Water)

BELSAT TV CINEMA
(at the Belsat TV Stand)

12.00 - 12.30 - „Pułk atomowy" (Nuclear Regiment)
12.45 - 1.45 - „Muzyczna partyzantka" (Music Guerillas)
2.00 - 2.30 - „Kuropatwy - droga sumienia" (Partidges - An Ethical Way)
2.45 - 3.45 - „Galeria Ady" (Ada's Gallery)
4.00 - 5.30 - Belsat TV Theatre presents: „Tutejsi" (The Locals)

CUISINES FROM EVERY CORNER OF THE WORLD AND FAIR TRADE PRODUCTS
All-day event at the stands in the Forum exhibition space