Russia Monitor Monthly 6/23
Content
The Piano and the White Eagle: Paderewski – Music for Freedom
“We fight for a Poland whole, united and independent… for a Motherland worthy of her faithful children.” Ignacy Jan Paderewski, inaugural address to the National Council of the Republic of Poland in exile, Paris, 23 January 1940.
Poland as a Model of Political Transformation for the Global South
Poland’s post-1989 transformation represents one of the most remarkable cases of non-violent political transition in twentieth-century history. Over three decades, Poland evolved from a marginal economy on Europe’s periphery into a stable democracy and a fully developed market system. This transformation was neither spontaneous nor externally imposed; it was the outcome of a deliberate political strategy that combined social mobilization, elite accountability, and a long-term vision of modernization.
Digital State: How Poland Became a European Leader in Digitalisation
Only three decades ago, Poland was stepping out of communism’s shadow, confronting economic challenges and a technology gap that would shape its digital journey. Following the fall of communism in 1989, Poland began a transformative journey, rapidly narrowing the gap with more developed Western countries. Today, the country has not only caught up with many of its Western peers but has also emerged as a pioneer in certain digital solutions.
Song and Dance Ensembles: Poland’s Cultural Ambassadors to the World
Poland has been steadily strengthening its global profile, presenting not only its economic achievements but also its urban renewal, expanding tourism infrastructure, thriving industries, and promising labor market. Less visible, yet equally defining, is the country’s cultural wealth – brought vividly to life on the world stage by its celebrated folklore folk.
Korean Unification From A European Perspective: Lessons From Poland And Europe Supporting Korea In Its Path Towards Unification
As part of the Korea Monitor project, Warsaw Institute – together with dozens of experts, researchers, and journalists from Europe and the Republic of Korea – engaged in discussions, analysis, and knowledge exchange to highlight the lessons Europe can share. By presenting best practices and accumulated experience, the report explores potential processes that could support the Korean people on their way toward unification.
The long way home: Insights from European integration for the Korean peninsula
Despite the significant cultural, historical, and geopolitical differences between Korea and Europe, the European integration experience provides a wealth of knowledge about how highly divided societies can come together. European nations’ journey from conflict to cooperation highlights the value of shared norms and the strength of institutions.
Demography and Unification Challenges: Population Decline as a Fundamental Factor in Korean Reunification Strategic Planning
As both South and North Korea’s populations are significantly declining, the demographic crisis is currently a primary issue in Korea’s unification discourse. While military, diplomatic, and huma nitarian issues have dominated strategic planning for a unified Korea, the demographic crisis neces sitates a more in-depth focus.
The lessons of the Ostpolitik and successive Sunshine Policies in modern inter-Korean relationships
It has been more than 75 years since the Korean Peninsula was separated. For the last decades, the wish for normalizing the inter-Korean relations and the possibility of reunification have crossed the mind of some South Korean leaders. In the early 2000s, upon the incentive of normalizing their relations with North Korea, South Korea took inspiration from the German Ostpolitik in the development of the Sunshine Policy .
Solidarity Beyond Borders: Poland’s Humanitarian and Development Efforts in Africa
When discussing Poland, we seldom consider its role in global development aid. We have grown accustomed to seeing our country only as its recipient. But throughout history, our solidarity has often gone beyond the borders of both our country and continent. Today, it resurfaces as a strategic lever in politics, diplomacy, and responsible governance, particularly within Africa.
Maintaining National Identity Through Division: What Korea May Learn from Poland
When political borders divide nations, national identity often becomes the invisible thread that holds the promise of reunification together, or on the contrary, the force that cements permanent separation.
Gdynia: Where the Sea Meets Dreams
Cradled between the Baltic Sea and the rolling moraine hills, a once-sleepy Kashubian fishing village gave way, in the 1920s and 1930s, to one of the most visionary enterprises in the modern history of the Polish nation.
How Silesian Cities Are Leading the Transformation of Post-Industrial Areas
As a result, the Upper Silesian Industrial District, historically reliant on mining and the metallurgical industry, suffered devastating consequences. With the closure of these facilities, both the plants and the surrounding workers’ settlements—many of which held architectural significance—began to deteriorate.
Korean Reunification Efforts Amidst Rising Global Tensions and South Korean Presence in Central and Eastern Europe
The idea of reunification between North and South Korea seems to be stalled amidst recent global tensions, with North Korea doubling down on their cooperation with Russia while South Korea deepens ties with Central Eastern Europe.
From contributing to peaceful future of the Korean Peninsula to expanding economic relations with CEE: The South Korean nuclear energy boom as an opportunity
In the past few years, Republic of Korea (ROK) has been experiencing a surge in both economic and political support of the field of nuclear energy, which resulted into its boom and the launching of a number of projects both domestically and also as an investment opportunity abroad. Such a powerful source of energy will contribute to finally reaching ROK’s energy independence in the future.
Parallel security struggles: Poland and South Korea’s linked geopolitical niches and Poland’s stake in Korean reunification
Recently, Warsaw and Seoul have been busy as ever. Earlier this month, Poland and South Korea signed a major security agreement that expanded cooperation between the two countries not only on the security and political fronts, but also in the economic and cultural spheres as well, un derscoring the deep connections between the two countries that have blossomed since 2013.
Zoran Milanović: Croatia’s ‘New Old’ President – Post-Election Interview with Matija Horvat
Over the past year, Croatia has undergone an election marathon, featuring parliamentary, European, and presidential elections. The second round of the presidential election, held on January 12, resulted in a victory for Zoran Milanović. To explore the post-election domestic landscape and Croatia’s role in a rapidly changing world, we invited Matija Horvat, an expert from the Croatian think tank Centre for Public Policy and Economic Analysis.
Found in Translation Awards
The Polish Book Institute’s Found in Translation Award recognizes translators that built a bridge between Polish writers and English-speaking audiences to increase the international value of the Polish literary language.
Czech-Polish Forum – Year 2024: Interparliamentary Security Academy Policy Report
The Czech Republic and Poland have a long-standing history of collaboration that has grown from the establishment of diplomatic relations into a strong partnership across economic, cultural, and security domains.
Green Deal is a Bad Deal?
Climate change is an undeniable scientific fact with profound implications for ecosystems, economies, and societies. As nations grapple with this challenge, the European Union has positioned itself as a global leader through its ambitious European Green Deal. But is this vision sustainable in practice?
Awaiting the New Republican Order: Seizing Power in Times of Turmoil
With Donald Trump’s electoral victory, Republicans are poised to renew their bid to reshape the nation’s political and social elite.
Warsaw Institute
