This year, we particularly want to highlight four of the thematic strands we have chosen for the discussions during this edition of Krynica Forum 2024. These include:

 
SECURITY AND RESILIENCE  – The panels will cover a wide range of issues concerning the war in Ukraine, including questions about the state and dynamics of military actions, current problems and needs of Ukraine, as well as desired scenarios for the conclusion of the war. This strand will also comprehensively address the issues related to Poland's security, including the realistic assessment of the Russian threat and the forms it may take, the process of technical modernization, and the prospects of expanding the Polish army's personnel. Likewise, this strand will touch upon the need for the reintroduction of universal military training, winding down social polarization, and finding ways of resolving the crisis of the Polish political system. 

What kind of war should we prepare for? There is an established consensus that Poles need to be ready to defend their homeland in the face of the Russian threat. However, is a military threat the key challenge? Or, perhaps, is it more reasonable to prepare for a conflict below the so-called war threshold? How should Poles be prepared for such challenges? 

Does Poland need a European army? The war in Ukraine reopened the discussion about the need for the EU to develop military capabilities. Is this concept in line with Poland's interest? Is the creation of a European army realistic and probable at all? Would a European army cooperate or compete with NATO?  

Modernization of the Polish army: are we catching up wisely? Poland is spending unprecedented amounts on military equipment. Are we managing the finances allocated to the military effectively? Is the priority of rapidly increasing military capabilities coming at the expense of the harmonious development of the Polish defense industry? Is the Polish state utilizing its potential effectively?

Digital sovereignty: can Poland challenge Big Tech? The digital zone is becoming an increasingly important dimension of security. Does Poland's digital sovereignty mean an inevitable conflict with global corporations like Big Tech? Which aspects of this relationship can Poland directly influence, and in which areas crucial is the role of the EU? Does the EU help or hinder Poland's striving towards digital sovereignty? 

DEVELOPMENT AND BUSINESS – Topics will include the development prospects for Polish business in Ukraine and the need for securing stable funding for investments aimed at increasing Poland’s security. This strand will cover questions about key modernization projects such as the construction of the Central Communication Port and nuclear power plants. An important aspect will be food security, including the issue of protectionism in the European agricultural market. Other key aspects will be also the issue of the revision of the European Green Deal, the maintenance of the competitiveness of European economies, the decarbonization of the Polish economy, and its integration into the "green" value chain. 

What can Polish business gain in Ukraine? There is no indication that warfare in Ukraine should cease soon. In this context, is it realistic to envisage the process of the reconstruction of Ukraine as a new Marshall Plan? In which areas are the opportunities for the development of Polish companies in Ukraine already emerging? What are the prospects for implementing strategic Polish-Ukrainian economic projects? 

Polish foreign investments: a new growth engine? The current development model of Polish companies is based chiefly on the growth of domestic investments, sales, and exports. Does the trend of locating the investments of Polish companies abroad mark the beginning of a new stage for Polish businesses? Which directions are the most promising? How should the Polish government support this process? 

Who will gain and who will lose on the green transformation? The decarbonization of the Polish economy is a process that evokes mixed emotions, both fears and hopes. Who will benefit from this process, and who will fail? In which sectors and industries is the situation the most difficult? In which areas is the competitiveness of Polish companies threatened? 

Reshoring and nearshoring: an opportunity for an additional development boost for Poland. Both the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have raised the topic of reshoring/nearshoring. Can Poland be a beneficiary of the relocation of industries from distant parts of the world? How significant can this trend be for the Polish economy?

GEOPOLITICS AND GEOECONOMICS – The discussions will focus on the most important phenomena affecting Poland's position on the political and economic map of Europe and the world. We will seek answers to how Poland can most effectively benefit in the era of deglobalization and reshoring. Topics will include the issues of building relationships in the region and undertaking foreign expansion, as well as this strand will look at new tools required to respond to the dynamically changing international situation. We will seek how to achieve the synergy between diplomacy, business, expert analysis, and the great ambitions of Polish society. 

Fear: the biggest problem in the West's strategy towards Russia? Despite the enormous advantage of the West over Russia, the potential of this part of Europe does not seem to be fully utilized in the ongoing struggle. What is the source of this problem? Is the superiority of the West not to be easily translated into the ability to defeat Russia? Or maybe is the main issue the Western fear of not only Russia itself but also of the consequences of Russia’s defeat. 

Will Trump's election change the face of the war in Ukraine? It is believed that former president Donald Trump has a high chance of success in the upcoming US elections in November 2024. Is it justified to fear that Trump’s potential reassumption of office would significantly impact the dynamics of the war in Ukraine? Are the concerns about him halting support for Ukraine to force a ceasefire valid? Will a potential reduction of US support prove decisive for the authorities in Kyiv to sit down for negotiations with the Russians? 

What should be the priority of the Polish presidency? In 2025, Poland will assume the presidency of the EU Council for the second time in history. What should be Poland's priorities? Is there a chance for political consensus around these priorities? Does the presidency provide real tools to influence EU politics? 

What are Poland's priorities in the Global South? Public debate about Polish foreign policy largely focuses on the transatlantic world. Yet, Poland's growing potential raises questions about its activity outside of this region. What should be Poland's priorities towards the countries in Africa, Asia, or South America? Where lies the untapped potential for cooperation?

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND SOCIETY  – In the fourth strand we will focus on the human capital and the potential slumbering within Polish society. How to creatively combine business, science, and administration so that they act as a flywheel for Poland's development? How to build consensus around the most important investments and ambitious reforms? To what extent can local businesses and governments stimulate patriotism towards the local communities? Finally, how should one build the resilience of Polish society, so that it will be prepared to face the attempts to destabilize it?  

How to prepare Poles to defend their homeland? Preparation for war is a challenge not only for state institutions but also for the society. How to develop civil defense capabilities? Where are the biggest deficits? Is the reintroduction of mandatory military training necessary?  

What does the popularity of the Central Communication Port (CPK) reveal about the Polish aspirations? The social popularity of the CPK topic has sparked as much debate as the project itself. Are the growing aspirations of Poles and the desire to implement ambitious projects behind the CPK phenomenon? Is there a ‘CPK electorate’ in Poland that currently does not have political representation? Why did the CPK become so popular only in 2024? 

How to build the resilience of the younger generation? It is increasingly diagnosed that one of the main problems of the younger generation is their mental health. How should we support our children, so that they are prepared to face both individual challenges and those faced by the community? Are smartphones and social media the source of the problem? How should the state support parents in the process of building their children's resilience? 

How to win cognitive warfare? While kinetic warfare is still a remote threat, information warfare has been ongoing for a long time. Have we, as the West, built the kinetic resilience? Are the measures taken so far to tackle the disinformation sufficient? Or, perhaps, are the sources of our vulnerability to disinformation much deeper than we think?