As we bid farewell to Professor Radosław Markowski following his recent visit, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on its success and express my gratitude to all involved in organising it.

This visit marked our first in-person engagement with an overseas guest after a prolonged hiatus due to the pandemic, and I am pleased to say it was a resounding success. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all AIPA members and friends for your contributions and unwavering support in arranging the visit.

During his time in Australia, Professor Markowski delivered lectures in Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, and Hobart, speaking on ‘Democracy in Europe, its Eastern part, and Poland: The Last Decade’ at institutions including the University of Melbourne, the Australian National University, the University of NSW, and the University of Tasmania. In Melbourne he also engaged with a broader audience at Armagh House, Toorak, where he discussed the ‘Polish Elections of 2023: Causes and Consequences.’

Furthermore, Professor Markowski was a guest on the ABC Radio National program Late Night Live, where he was interviewed by Phillip Adams. You can listen to the interview here.

I extend my deepest appreciation to Professor Radek Markowski for generously sharing his political and electoral expertise with audiences across Australia. Regardless of our political affiliations or voting inclinations, we have all benefitted from his insights.

Special acknowledgment is also due to members of the AIPA Board and other actively involved members for their diligent efforts in organising the events and ensuring the comfort of Radek and his wife Ela in various states. I extend my gratitude to everyone involved, including Halina Zobel-Zubrzycka and Kasia Williams in Canberra; Robert Czernkowski, Martin Krygier, Ernest and Margaret Fajwul in Sydney; Janek and Zosia Pakulski in Hobart; Gosia Klatt, Irena Zdanowicz, Kasia Muehlhauser, Walter Kozlowski, Ania Tomala and Julian Dunwill in Melbourne. 

Additionally, I would like to express my sincere thanks to all members whose financial contributions make such visits possible.

Beyond our primary objective of fostering Australian-Polish relations, let us remember that AIPA also serves as a kind of a Think Tank, an intellectual circle, a community of colleagues and friends united by shared interests. If you have ideas for future events or discussions, I encourage you to reach out – there will always be a group of like-minded individuals eager to support you.

I extend a warm invitation to you and your friends to join us at future AIPA events or simply to engage informally within our circle of friends.

Warm regards,

Alexandra

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Dr Alexandra Margaret Dunwill

AIPA President

Scrutinising Elites and Schooling in Post-Communist Poland: Globalisation, European Integration, Socialist Heritage, and Tradition. (Taylor & Francis, Routledge 2023)