The most important economic event in Kujawy and Pomerania region was held in early April (3-4.04.2023) and brought together nearly 160 experts from the world of business, politics and science.

This year’s edition of the Welconomy Forum had a unique dimension, as it was part of the celebrations of the Copernican Year. This is why the opening session “On the Revolutions of Social Reality…” referred to the treatise of the great astronomer on the 550th anniversary of his birth in Toruń.

Among the invited panellists was Prof. Henryk Skarżyński – Director of the Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing and the World Hearing Center in Kajetany, who introduced the figure of Nicolaus Copernicus and described his uphill path to obtaining education, as well as the title of a physician. He spoke about Copernicus’ advice on behaving during a plague and stressed the importance of social isolation. In the Polish Academy of Sciences collection, one can still find prescriptions written by the master’s hand, ending with an inscription: “If God wills and helps.”

It was a fascinating discussion moderated by Prof. Michał Kleiber – President of the Polish Academy of Sciences from 2007 to 2015, Chairman of the UNESCO Polish Committee, also attended by Paweł Borys – President of the Management Board of the Polish Development Fund, Dr Aleksandra Hadzik – President of the Agricultural Social Insurance Fund, Artur Martyniuk – President of the Management Board, CEO of Polregio, Dr. hab. Agnieszka Słowikowska, UMK professor – Director of the Joint Institute for VLBI ERIC, Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Applied Informatics at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, as well as Prof. Gertruda Uścińska – President of the Social Insurance Institution.

The invited guests discussed how Polish political and economic life has changed over the past thirty years.

– I am glad that many of the topics discussed during the Welconomy Forum deal with the state policy, but also with local governments and how we can improve our health, Prof. Piotr Skarżyński of the World Hearing Center in Kajetany said, who took part in the session entitled “Ministry of Disease or Ministry of Prevention – Health Policy in the Context of National and International Challenges.”

It was also attended by Tomasz Latos – MP of the Republic of Poland, Chairman of the Parliamentary Health Committee, Prof. Andrzej Fal, UKSW Professor  – Head of the Department of Allergology, Lung Diseases and Internal Diseases – National Medical Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration in Warsaw, Hanna Gill-Piątek – MP, Prof. Andrzej Matyja – President of the Supreme Chamber of Physicians and Dentists from 2018 to 2022, and Prof. Filip M. Szymański – President of the Polish Society of Civilization Diseases.

During this year’s forum, the Chapter of the XXX Welconomy awarded 4 prizes:

• Prof. Stefan Meller’s award was given to Anna Januchowska – a student of the Faculty of Chemistry at the University of Kraków, for creating  “Czule” startup.
• the title of Ambassador of the Polish Economy was awarded to Artur Soboń, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Finance
• the Welconomy Patron Award was given to Krzysztof Pietraszkiewicz, President of the Polish Bank Association
• Prof. Piotr H. Skarżyński was honored with the most important award – the Welconomy Emerald, as an international expert in otorhinolaryngology, pediatric otorhinolaryngology, audiology, phoniatrics, public health and organizer of the world’s first International Teleaudiology Network.

In the past, the award has been given to, among others, Prof. Jerzy Buzek and Prof. Michał Kleiber.

– This award is certainly a recognition of the work of our entire team. It is also a motivation to act even more effectively in the future, confirming that we are following the right path. The award also allows us to present to the public the medical solutions we have implemented so far. For me, the Welconomy Emerald is also important for personal reasons – the cradle of the Welconomy Congress is the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Province, and I have family ties in this region – my grandfather comes from Toruń, Prof. Piotr H. Skarżyński said after receiving the award.

Photo: welconomy.pl