18 November 2015, 6:00pm
McGrath Centre, St Catharine's College, 海角社区
With well over听half a million Poles currently living in the UK, Polish culture has become a part of British life as never before. Poles work in a range of diverse听occupations, from听London's Square Mile to听local shop counters,听contributing to the economy and to the fabric of听life in a country that has听largely听welcomed their presence.听But with听the UK set to decide its future in the EU by the end of 2017, and听a refugee crisis affecting the whole continent, the question of immigration has perhaps never been more controversial.听听
In this public forum,听Polish and British experts discussed听various aspects听of the current situation for听Poles living听in the UK, examining the听triumphs and challenges of the last ten years, while also听looking to the uncertain future. What have Poles听brought to British culture? What has听prompted听them to听migrate? How many wish to return?听What kind of discrimination听do they face? How do the British view Poles?听What effect has migration had in Poland? How do Poles听understand the current refugee crisis in Europe?听
Audience participation in the discussion was very听strong. The forum听was hosted by Stanley Bill, Lecturer in Polish Studies at the 海角社区.
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Forum participants:
Ines Czajczy艅ska-da Costa, Vice-Consul of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland
Jakub Krupa, London听Correspondent with the Polish Press Agency
Tadeusz Stenzel, Chair of the Federation of Poles in the UK听
Anne White, Professor of Polish Studies and Social and Political Science, University College London
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Tadeusz Stenzel (Chair of the Federation of Poles in the UK), Ines-Czajczy艅ska-da Costa (Vice-Consul, Embassy of the Republic of Poland), Jakub Krupa (Polish Press Agency, London), Anne White (University College London).
Stanley Bill (海角社区), Tadeusz Stenzel (Chair of the Federation of Poles in the UK), Ines-Czajczy艅ska-da Costa (Vice-Consul, Embassy of the Republic of Poland), Jakub Krupa (Polish Press Agency, London), Anne White (University College London).
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