MAIN THEMES
Geopolitics, economy, security
The war in Ukraine and its effects on the global economy. Accumulating crises: climate and the environment, energy, fuels, raw material; food security, slowdown and recession. The delayed and permanent effects of the pandemic. Supply chain disruptions and their impact on the economy. A new chapter in the rivalry of superpowers. Laying the foundations for the future architecture of political and economic security. The need for independence and self-sufficiency vs. the need for solidarity and cooperation. The European Union in a changing world – its place, its importance, its prospects.
Ukraine – war, support, reconstruction
Consistent support for embattled Ukraine; needs, capabilities, prospects. The effects of war and the conditions of life in Ukraine: the humanitarian crisis as yet another challenge. Resources and damage, potential and reconstruction, preparations and priorities. Medium- and long-term support (after the war). Fast-track investments. Transparency, competition, informed spending. Ukrainian guests in Poland and on the Polish job market. The European aspirations of Ukraine – where are we standing? The next steps in Ukrainian rapprochement with the European Union: possible scenarios, roles, contentious issues.
Toward a green economy
Economic adjustments to climate change in the light of crises and the fast rate of global warming. Reducing the environmental footprint of development and its determinants. International climate cooperation in the context of different aspirations and disparities. The adoption of zero-emissions technologies in industry and transportation. Investing in a sustainable economy and reduced emissions: the necessary resources and regulatory measures. Green financing. Public resources and responsible business commitment. ESG as a new economic paradigm.
Transformation of the energy sector
A stable, secure, sustainable energy mix – now and for the future. Increasing the independence of European economies through access to their own energy sources – achievements, current challenges and projections. Energy safety and its contexts: stabilisation of energy systems, international cooperation, the role of modern infrastructure and new energy market models, technologies supporting energy efficiency, renewable energy investments and their financing. The hydrogen economy and the conditions for its development. Development prospects for nuclear energy. The transformation of energy and energy use versus access to necessary resources.
Technologies, innovations, digitisation
Digital realms with a special potential for transforming our economies and daily lives: the cloud, Big Data, AI and Industry 4.0 technologies. The business aspects of cutting-edge technologies; adapting projects to the current situation and evolving needs. The global digital race: technologies and resources, competition and dominance. Manufacturing for digitisation as an area of international competition and independence building. Digital technologies for the climate: modern solutions to support energy transformation and the transport economy. Toward a knowledge-based economy. An innovation-stimulating environment. Cooperation between science and business: the meanders of commercialisation. Cybersecurity: new threats – defence and prevention.
PANEL SESSIONS
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GREEN ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION
Second-hand economy
New production models based on the idea of a less resource-intensive, circular economy. What are the development opportunities offered by the circular economy and how can communities, producers, states and city authorities prepare for these changes? The role of green logistics and distribution. A new climate for circular-economy innovations. The deposit system and extended producer responsibility: the state of the law and business readiness. Necessary changes in consumption models: how to stop the increase in waste volumes? Areas of special risk and potential: construction, food and textile production, packaging, eco-design.
New, informed consumers
Does awareness of climate change, social injustice, etc. affect consumer choices or are low price and fast delivery still the only factors that count? Are there any signs that the economy, different industries and individual producers are preparing for the new changes in consumer approach? Can life in the fast lane really be replaced by a slower life?
ESG – new realities, new strategies
The natural environment, society and the corporate order: criteria for a new responsible business paradigm. Corporate responsibility in terms of the three ESG pillars today and in the nearest future. Principles of non-financial reporting: whom do they apply to, what skills do they require? Is it a good idea to wait: what changes does the growing environmental awareness among clients and business partners impose on companies today? Environmental goals: setting, formulation, achievement. ESG strategy and management: an important business tool.
ESG – legislation, economy, competitiveness
Three main areas of ratings and non-financial business assessments. ESG criteria vs. investment and development funding. The European Taxonomy: clear, rational and sustainable business principles. What is in store for companies in terms of sustainable economy legislation? How to prepare for business under the new conditions? Is it worthwhile to be a pioneer? Does “responsible” mean “competitive”? The business costs and benefits of change. New challenges: how, if at all, will the ESG format evolve?
Decarbonisation in transport
Limiting transport emissions from the perspective of the European Union, international industry organisations and the Polish economy: points of contact and differences. New engines as a foundation for the green revolution in transport. Why has the world not found a solution? New engines in road, rail, sea and air transport – where is there progress? Electricity, hydrogen, biogas – pros and cons. Other methods of reducing emissions in transport: organisational models, digitisation, intermodality. The impact of upcoming changes on business decisions in Polish companies.
Voluntary emissions offset
Offsetting greenhouse emissions through third-party measures – a way for businesses to reduce their carbon footprint. Voluntary offset systems: their development, reliability, the role of standards and certifications. Demand for such services. Purchasing costs and business and image benefits.
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DIGITISATION. TECHNOLOGIES.
Humans and artificial intelligence
AI as one of the most expansive technologies reshaping our economy and social life. How will artificial intelligence influence the economy and our social life in the future: what challenges should we prepare for in connection with its fast development (infrastructure, communication, transport, production, work, psychology, etc.)? Cooperation between humans and intelligent machines: the necessary skills. Fears and concerns as to the autonomy of artificial intelligence.
Robots and robotisation
Stimuli and barriers to robotisation in Poland. Motives and tested models of investment in robotisation. Business benefits and their assessment. The changes necessary in companies and business strategies for robotisation to bring the expected benefits How will robots change our job market? Cooperation between humans and machines: the new skills of employees and managers.
Cyberthreats and cybersecurity
Growing levels of cyberaggression and cybercrime. Causes, scale, forecasts. System vulnerability as an effect of growing interdependences and ubiquitous ICT solutions. The costs of attacks on digital infrastructure and data resources for the economy and administration. The specialisation of cybercrime, new methods, process organisation; different kinds and attack goals. Effective prevention: security technologies, process organisation, the human factor, education. Efficient elimination and mitigation.
Digital inequalities
A map of digital exclusion in a time of accelerated digitisation and the “post-Covid“ era – the scale of the phenomenon. Social groups and world regions at risk of the long-term effects of a lack of access to information, digital tools and services. Access to technology and infrastructure as a key criterion of social stratification. The elite, the majority and the excluded: differences in social participation, agency, independence and opportunities for growth. The lack or low quality of technical infrastructure. Lack of skills. How to level out digital disparities? The role of education, technological and social innovation.
Industry 4.0
Toward Industry 4.0: global leaders, Europe, Poland. The war and the pandemic: will black swans speed up or slow down the digitisation of the economy? The consequences of slow progress. Do we have a support plan? The role of the state, regulations, investment strategies in companies. The leading industries and the sectors that lag behind, tycoons and companies. HR, training, the culture of innovation. Putting a human face on Industry 4.0: new types of management, new requirements for employees, standards of cooperation between humans and machines. Toward Industry 5.0.
Business in the cloud
Migration to the cloud as a key element of digital transformation. Business on demand and at a distance, costs and security: what is the potential of cloud technologies for companies and the economy at large? Benefits for the climate: the energy efficiency of data centres. Public, private, hybrid cloud: what, where, when? Cloud solutions – market saturation in Poland, Europe and the world.
Metaverse
The metaverse – a new virtual world; its potential, prospects, realities. Business applications of this technology: first experiences and observations, interested sectors. Can the metaverse conquer the world? To be or to have in the virtual world. Can metaverse be an answer to reduced consumption by creating an alternative, digital world? What economic, social and environmental consequences can we expect?
Drones
Polish contribution to the development of software and technology for use in unmanned aerial vehicles. Impact of the war in Ukraine on the rapid acceleration of drone markets and technology in Europe and across the globe. New U-Space regulations: building a common European air space. Unmanned aerial vehicles and passenger flights. Integrating drones with the urban environment. Regulatory frameworks, security and social feedback vs prospective UAV applications. A survey of promising commercial applications of drone technologies: inspections of linear infrastructure and difficult-to-access installations, energy audits, monitoring and security, supply logistics, transport, constructions.
Telecommunications infrastructure
The bloodstream of the modern economy (i.e. the telecom infrastructure) in an era of accelerating digitisation in the economy and social life. The Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, Big Data, advanced services (smart cities), and other areas that depend on the high quality of telecom infrastructure. Waiting for 5G spectrum auctions: bandwidth allocation and the further digitization of the country. From 5G to 6G – new data transmission standards and how likely are they to become widespread. The scale of required investment. Satellite technologies vs security and climate change mitigation.
Green digitization
Toward climate neutrality in the digital economy: where are we standing? Digitization and demand for energy. Growing needs and the “digital performance” of systems and devices. Green IT, or how to effectively limit the energy demand of digital infrastructure. IT 4 Green: how do digital solutions support energy efficiency in the economy? A review of good practices and examples of digital innovations for climate. Supercomputers, server rooms, big data, and cryptocurrencies as sources of waste heat. Computers running on green energy and other ways of offsetting emissions in the IT sector.
Quantum computing – a rising technology
Quantum computing: a new revolution and a future that is already here. What is the “quantum advantage”? Fifth generation computers, their proven potential and the essential development problems they can solve. Will quantum computers replace traditional ones? Potential applications of quantum computing: machine learning, deep learning, big data, industrial process transformation, cryptography and communication, security and defence.
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ENERGY AND SECURITY
Europe’s energy security
Europe’s independence from Russian fuels: a lasting paradigm change, long-term implications, fallout mitigation. Replacing supplies from the East – how to avoid the trap of new dependencies? Toward self-sufficiency. Needed spending and investment (nuclear energy, renewable energy, interconnectors, energy warehousing, the Ukrainian Energy Bridge). The experiences of Central European countries in the area of energy security: verification and potential use by other EU member states. The role of a common internal energy market and European cooperation in the global market.
Polish energy mix
The structure of the Polish power generation industry and energy security. Polish energy policy: a document under permanent revision? The growing dependence of Poland on energy imports – can this tendency be reversed, and if so, how? The potential of renewable and low-emissions sources; scheduled and completed investments. Renewable sources: pumped-storage hydroelectricity and biogas plants. Tools and models for stabilising the system: the potential role of nuclear energy, technology and the market.
Renewable energy resources
The role of green technologies in Polish energy security. What changes (regulations, infrastructure) does the industry expect? A green energy mix as a recipe for energy independence. Conditions for the future growth of renewables in Poland. Autonomous off-grid areas, virtual power plants, aggregation of distributed renewable sources. The potential of different sources, new, more effective, more easily available technologies. Green power growth and system stability. Renewable sources and the hydrogen economy. The renewable energy sector as a promising employer. Local content in green energy investment: proprietary technologies, necessary investments.
Offshore wind power
Offshore wind farms in the EU: the largest markets and top trends. Polish energy security: the balance of power, phasing out of power units, investments in new power, the end of coal in the energy market – what do we get instead? Offshore wind: the potential of the Polish Baltic Sea, a chance for independence and effective decarbonisation in the power industry. The economics of Polish offshore wind farm projects: will it pay off? Local content: expectations and realities. The status and future prospects of the projects currently in progress. New location permits on the Baltic Sea: investments with or without partnerships? Odds of success for offshore auctions. Long-term outlooks for the industry.
Onshore wind power
Wind turbines on the energy map of the EU and their place in the system. Barriers to growth in Poland. New regulatory requirements arising from the liberalization of the 10H principle: practical feasibility, impact on profitability. The development of wind power projects in Poland: what can we count on in the next few years? Development beyond support systems. Impact of onshore wind power on the domestic electricity market. Wind turbines and grid connection opportunities. Hybrid solutions: combining different renewables into effective complexes: wind farms, photovoltaics, energy warehouses, cable pooling.
Nuclear energy
Large-scale nuclear energy generation in Poland. Projects and plans, technologies and locations. Real odds of success, predicted impact on the energy market. One or several nuclear technology providers? Criteria of choice: technological, economic, political. Chances of the Polish industry taking part in the first and subsequent nuclear projects. 6-9 GW – is it worthwhile increasing planned power? The necessary investments to accompany nuclear projects: expansion of transmission grids, roads, railways.
Atom made to measure
Atomic energy – smaller projects, new technologies. SMR as an alternative to large-scale nuclear power. Investors, projects, locations, odds of success, predicted impact on the energy market. Technologies and their availability. The target role in the energy system and market. Transmission companies as investors in SMR: motivations, plans, expenditures, deadlines.
Distribution grids
The condition of Polish power distribution grids. Current investment needs and scheduled actions: their scale and directions. Distribution grids as a platform for energy transformation: adapting their technical capacity to the development of renewable and distributed energy sources. Optimising the system and the balancing model: cable pooling, smart grid and smart metering, integration with the Central Energy Market Information System. Local, urban energy grids as system support and alternative.
Energy market in crisis
State intervention in the electricity market: warranted or superfluous? Frozen and capped prices: what remains of the market? Effects for energy generators, vendors and clients. Looking forward to 2024 – further state interventions in the electricity market. Price caps, abolition of the exchange obligations, changes in the balancing market – how does the market behave in the new regulatory environment.
Distributed energy
Distributed energy in Poland: its share in the energy mix, source types, the number and size of installations. Energy cooperatives in Poland: how many are they, how do they work, what problems do they face? Prosumers in Polish energy: current and postulated legislative solutions for the distributed energy market. Energy clusters in Poland: chances and barriers to growth. Does the energy distribution system in Poland match the needs of distributed energy? Opportunities for connecting new distributed sources. Interim and system-level solutions.
Photovoltaics
The potential of photovoltaics in Poland. What will be the share of PV in the Polish energy mix by 2030 and 2050? The lack of grid modernisation and expansion as a main challenge for photovoltaics. Prosumer photovoltaics vs industrial farms: installed power, planned investments, growth conditions, target place in the system. New regulations and the further growth of prosumer photovoltaics. Technologies and their performance. PV vs heat pumps and energy warehouses: new opportunities. Available support mechanisms: tax breaks, subsidies, grants.
Local content in the energy industry
Planned investments in power generation: nuclear power plants, offshore wind farms. Project scale, investors, expenditure, technologies. Odds of a Polish contribution to large investments in the domestic energy industry. Potential of the Polish industry, science and job market. Experiences in production for the offshore wind power sector. Legal regulations to ensure a satisfactory level of local content – will that work? What do investors think? Investments in energy – the influx of know-how, technology transfer, incentives for the R&D sector.
Gas and security
A revolution among suppliers: who will replace Russia as the primary gas supplier to Europe? The need for new infrastructure: what kind and where? The Baltic Pipe – and what next? Warehousing capabilities and the global market and gas prices. Chances for a common European gas policy. Polish investments in gas: do we already have a complete and efficient supply-system? Regional gas security: players, roles, scenarios.
Gas, energy, industry
A secure supply of natural gas for industry and heat and power generation under current geopolitical conditions. Electricity from gas – is there still room for it in the system? Industries with high vulnerability to gas supply disruptions: scenarios for the time of crisis. Gas prices and profitability: chances for stabilisation. What about substitutes? Technological and business opportunities for replacing gas.
Time for coal?
A reactivation of coal mining in Europe – when? The demand for steam coal in the context of crisis phenomena, changes in the energy sector, and the climate crisis. Prices, availability, logistics: the current situation in the global coal market and the odds of stabilization. The rationality of investing in mining capabilities. The mining machine and equipment manufacturing industry and the economic situation and potential revival of investment activity. What to replace coal with: paths of diversification, national strategies, investor plans.
Hydrogen, the fuel of the future?
The potential of hydrogen for geopolitical change and changes on the global energy map. The Global South as the hub of green hydrogen. Hydrogen technologies, their maturity, problems with distribution and affordability. Warehousing, transport, and security. What should the organisational and regulatory frameworks be like in the hydrogen economy? The necessary regulations: national, EU, regional or maybe global solutions? How to stimulate development without overregulating the market?
Polish hydrogen: strategy and practice
The premises, goals and implementation of the Polish hydrogen strategy. Costs and regulations. Market growth: private and local government investment in hydrogen as an alternative source of energy in times of crisis. Hydrogen valleys and the activity of state-owned companies. The colours of hydrogen: how to grab billions in EU hydrogen subsidies? From producer to consumer; the option of green financing. Harmonisation, predictability and other investor expectations; green hydrogen as an element in the decarbonisation process. Hydrogen and the development of renewable energy. Alternative hydrogen production scenarios: co-generation with heat. Infrastructure, security standards, technical challenges and regulations in the context of the Polish legal system. Human resources for the hydrogen economy: Polish universities and their potential.
Energy clusters and cooperatives
The situation on the ground: existing energy clusters and cooperatives in Poland. Their activity, condition, plans. The target role of clusters and cooperatives in the energy system. Independence, self-sufficiency, security: the expectations of local communities vs practice. The role of cooperation with local governments. Legal barriers and tools to incentivise the creation of energy clusters and cooperatives: what remains to be done?
Biogas: technologies and investments
Biogas and biogas plants in Poland: installations, production, use, prospects. The Polish biogas production potential. Examples of existing projects. The costs of biogas solutions and benefits for waste management, local communities and the environment. Funding investment in biogas applications. EU regulations on recycling levels, biowaste composting and management. Barriers to the growth of the biogas segment. Solutions for reducing nuisance to residents. Grid infrastructure or local use? Biomethane from agricultural waste – biogas purification technologies; a tally of economic and environmental benefits.
Thermal waste processing – for or against?
Thermal utilisation of different communal waste fractions in Europe and Poland today. Required and actual recycling levels. To warehouse or to incinerate? The environmental impact of thermal waste processing installations: facts and myths. Alternative fuels as a substitute for coal in heat generation? Incinerators and the EU taxonomy and climate policy. Incinerators in the ETS system? Investment costs. Location problems. Urban incinerators: existing, under construction, planned – do we have enough or do we need more? The position of local governments, central administration, residents. Let the market decide?
Technologies for the energy sector
Universally available and relatively inexpensive renewable energy solutions: still a postulate or already a reality? Energy warehousing: time for a breakthrough. Green hydrogen and efficient renewables: chances for a marriage between technologies in the Polish context. Nuclear fusion, modular reactors: chances for breakthrough and commercialisation. Energy and systems management: new balancing opportunities with the use of digital tools. Green technologies for enhanced energy efficiency.
Energy self-sufficiency
Investing in independent energy sources as an important trend in the energy sector: measures taken by local governments, institutions, prosumers. Energy self-sufficiency in company strategies: what do businesses invest in? Technologies for clean energy production for local use: independence and net-zero emissions. Local power grids in Polish cities. Funding investments in providing for energy needs – is support required?
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INDUSTRY
Space industry
Polish niches and specialisations within the space industry. The potential, achievements and experiences of Polish companies. Cooperation, outlooks and models worth applying in Poland and Europe. Space industry for other applications: business activity diversification. Space technologies useful for the economy; space industry at the service of security and defence. Space missions that involve Polish companies and their equipment.
Education for the space industry in Poland
Engineering profiles in greatest demand in the space industry. Space engineering programmes at Polish universities. When will we get our first Polish astronaut? Cooperation between universities and space companies. What can we learn from other countries? What universities outside Poland are leading the fray in the education of space industry professionals?
Defence industry
New challenges for weapons production in the context of the current international and national security situation. The potential and capabilities of the Polish defence industry. Necessary investments and how to fund them. Domestic production vs big import contracts: chances for cooperation and local content.
Energy-intensive industry
Energy prices and the time of crisis: a strong negative impact on energy-intensive industries in Europe. The scale of the threat and immediate business response: suspending operations, relocating production. The effects of a potential relocation of energy-intensive companies on the security and self-sufficiency of the European economy and the global volume of greenhouse emissions. Protective intervention measures in the EU and domestic policies. Do we need system-level solutions?
Rethinking oil
The fuel market and the oil industry after a big merger in the Polish market. A new balance of power in Poland and Central Europe. The biggest beneficiaries of the process and their plans. Margins, profits, competition: is there enough room for everybody? Fuel terminals, transmission and storage infrastructure, wholesale market, petrochemical assets, aviation fuels: forecasts and ongoing changes in key areas of the oil industry and market in Poland.
A resilient European economy
What is the scale of Europe’s dependence on the imports of raw materials, fuels, goods, and components? A need for economic independence. Resilience as one of the main economic trends during pandemic and the recent war. Experiences, good practices, dead ends. Building a more productive industry: European resources, skills, opportunities for locating investments in Poland. Incentives for a new industrialization: in which areas can Europe afford self-sufficiency, where should it aim at diversification and rational cooperation?
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INVESTMENTS. CONSTRUCTION
Poland and its attractiveness for investors
Poland in investment attractiveness rankings. Foreign investment levels in recent years: expectations, ambitions, trends and forecasts. The stability of the investment environment: support mechanisms and incentives, the job market, legislation, the justice system. Types of investment located in Poland. The impact on war on investor decisions.
Construction
The situation in the construction sector – a slowdown or recession? Residential, commercial, industrial and infrastructure construction. Funding investments in the context of high inflation and economic crisis. Prices of materials and services. The valorisation of tenders in law and practice. EU programmes and actual resource availability vs the investment market in Poland.
Construction sector and the reconstruction of Ukraine
War damage and reconstruction in Ukraine; estimated needs. The Reconstruction and Development Plan for Ukraine. Devastated infrastructure: how to help Ukraine, challenges for the Polish construction sector. Resources, expertise, human resources. Funding resources and models.
Green construction technologies
Energy-intensive buildings as a central problem: the costs of transformation. Technologies, materials, investment models to reduce the environmental and climate impact of the construction process and building and infrastructure use. New requirements for investors. The role of sustainable spatial development plans. The cement industry and other construction materials: toward climate neutrality. Construction waste recycling. Power generation and energy self-sufficient buildings. Modular and less resource-intensive construction. Investments in degraded areas.
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FINANCE
EU funds – tapping the potential
Investments with the greatest odds of getting EU funds within the 2021-2027 framework. Changes in the EU funding application process: the opinions of applicants and beneficiaries. Opportunities for funding investment down-payments from EU resources, also in the context of the current financial situation of local governments. How to use EU funds effectively? What mistakes and pitfalls to avoid? A schedule for applying to the National Reconstruction Plan – what next? A survey of the first NRP funding schemes. EU funds during the war in Ukraine. Funds for reconstruction; EU support for refugees in Poland: selected schemes and their effects; experiences and follow-up.
Inflation
Inflation forecasts and further implications for the economy. How to combat inflation? Current measures and their effectiveness. Can inflation be curbed without limiting consumption? Slowdown, recession, the investment climate, unemployment and other phenomena related to persistent inflation. Immediate and protective measures and the effects of current anti-inflation policies in the medium term.
Capital market
The stock market in Poland: situation, economic role, prospects, plans. Fewer IPOs, lower quotes, companies leaving the stock exchange: what are the causes? Lack of liquidity as the besetting problem of the Polish stock market. Risks for stock market investments in the current situation. The state on the stock market: the political responsibility of state-owned companies, relationships with minority shareholders. How to increase the role of the WSE and the capital market in financing the economy? The role of education and tax incentives.
Banking sector
The current situation in the banking sector and its ability to finance the economy and investment. External macroeconomic factors and their impact on the banking sector. The issue of Swiss franc loans and settlements. Payment holidays and their effects. What is the future of loan quality? Automation and computerisation in the sector in the context of costs and employment. Consolidation, acquisitions, bankruptcies. The role of the state’s financial safety net.
Euro – if not now, when?
The best currency for hard times? The core points in the debate around the EU currency today. Risks and benefits: let’s do the maths again. The common currency as a stabilising and integrating factor. Future vistas for the expansion of the euro zone. Public finance in countries outside the euro zone and the Maastricht criteria. Croatia – the first euro zone expansion since 2015: conclusions and commentary.
Polish PE and VC markets
Poland and the world – VC and PE investment deals and their worth. Their role in economic growth. What do funds invest in: the criteria of choice. ESG principles as a foundation for funding sustainable development. Trends in debt financing for green projects. The green verification of business models vs traditional business values.
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JOB MARKET
Common European job market
How does the EU view the common job market, its main problems and challenges? The most important themes in the debate: minimum wages, reducing the pay gap. Domestic policies and EU regulations: where are the changes in employment law heading? Migrations inside the EU vs the influx of non-EU workers: barriers and opportunities.
HR for administration
Administration efficiency and HR quality. Local government and state-owned institutions: staff demand and supply. How do we educate our officials? The education system and the situation in the job market. What is it like to work in public administration: salaries, requirements, employment conditions, professional growth opportunities. HR management in public administration.
Rethinking the job market
The employee’s job market in the light of economic slowdown, macroeconomic upheavals and geopolitical turmoil. Inflation and price pressure. Fewer job offers, recruitment problems in understaffed sectors. Migrations and the Polish job market. Planned and ongoing changes in employment law in the eyes of employers and employees. New forms of employment. The prospect of collecting social security contributions from specific-work contracts. Job security and employment stability in the context of different types of employment contracts.
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TRANSPORT, LOGISTICS, INFRASTRUCTURE
Supply chains and logistics in the new reality
Changes in the transport route network: the impact of Russian aggression against Ukraine. The implications for Polish businesses and the global economy. The ethical factor in business decision-making in transport. Transport risk and insurance in times of war. Logistics and the economic and political competition between states. Investments in the light of emerging needs and constraints, changes in the stream of goods. Rail Baltica and European rail tracks into Ukraine. The New Silk Road after 24 February 2022. Bottlenecks, urgent infrastructure investments. New transport routes and emerging logistics and delivery models as an opportunity for Poland and Central Europe. Modern infrastructure at the service of green economic transformation.
Rail infrastructure in Poland
Modernising railways in Poland: the National Rail Programme and its achievements. Effects, experiences, mistakes, conclusions. Challenges related to the climate policy. Development of the rail transport market and infrastructure capabilities. New railways: route and construction opportunities – creating a catalogue of needs. The importance of the rail component of Central Communication Hub (CPK) for the growth of the rail industry in Poland. High-speed rail. New intermodal models in transportation. Terminals and sidings: availability and use.
Sea ports
New trade routes, changes in supply chains and the import structure vs current and scheduled investments in sea ports: how to benefit from the logistics revolution. Flexible and effective investment models. Investments to improve access to sea ports from land and sea. The economic transformation as an incentive for investment and technology advancement in marine logistics. Polish sea ports as an alternative to the largest marine hubs of North-western Europe?
Attention: critical infrastructure
Potential social and economic consequences of attacks and damage to infrastructure systems. Cyberthreats, sabotage, terrorism: realistic prevention and defence measures for critical point and line infrastructure. Cooperation between state institutions to minimise threats and mitigate the effects of attacks. Aggression-resistant infrastructure: security-oriented design and implementation.
Aviation
Civil aviation in Poland and Europe in the context of current geopolitical turmoil. Is this the end of cheap flights? The growing operational costs for airlines vs the prices of tickets and business services. Green challenges to the sector: the issue of fuels and engines. The impact of war on the condition and prospects of the Polish aviation industry. Airports: the difficult art of adjustment. The target status of regional airports and their development prospects. A common civilian and military infrastructure. The Central Communication Hub (CPK) – 2023 as a key year for investments. The state and the competition: state-owned and private carriers. Staffing problems and the industry.
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MANAGEMENT
Restructuring – optimisation
Will the current economic slowdown, symptoms of recession and other disruptions in the business environment increase the number of restructuring projects? The restructuring process as comprehensive optimisation. How to adapt business structure and organisational models to the environment in crisis and respond to new, emerging challenges: examples of successful processes and their effects.
Mergers and acquisitions
Economic slowdown, crises and disruptions in the business environment as an opportunity for attractive mergers. Where to find opportunities: interesting sectors and segments. Risk and benefit assessment. The acquisition or asset consolidation is just a beginning: integration measures, consequences, the role of organisational culture, new structures and their resilience to crises and upheavals.
Start-ups in the new environment
Changes on the young Polish entrepreneurship scene. Seed stage ventures: a test for the market in difficult times of crisis. Another funding model, or the end of easy money. Investors say: “I'll see that bet”. Not just IT: green transformation as an area of activity for creative businesses. How to build an ecosystem that promotes the growth of innovative companies without creating a protective bubble?
Central Europe in pursuit of economic advantage
Central Europe, its competitiveness and development assets in the eyes of top managers. Where to find an advantage? Strengths, promising sectors, good practices, successful ventures. How to better tap the potential? The role of intraregional cooperation. Global partners for Central Europe.
Future of the BPO sector in Poland
Modern business services in Poland. Top shared services centres and new investments. The Polish BPO sector in the structure of national exports. Speed, agility, resilience – business services in the face of new challenges arising from the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and other crisis phenomena. A service model or a stronger integration into clients; structures? Internal changes in the sector. Employment, rotation, forecasts for the sector. New requirements, skills in high demand, and how to tap them more effectively.
Regulations, business, economy
The quality and stability of law in the eyes of entrepreneurs and investors. Examples of solutions and their long-term effects. An effective role of the state in the economy: an arbitrator and regulator or a privileged competitor for the private sector? Regulations good for all: how to create the conditions for implementing the state’s economic policy while preserving free market values?
EDUCATION, SCIENCE, KNOWLEDGE
Education for the future
The education system in Poland in the light of future challenges: a diagnosis. Teacher pauperisation, teacher motivations, staffing needs. Funding education: a permanent battlefield. School autonomy or centralised supervision? The student as a subject, the role of parents; social organisations as the environment of the education system. Rigid curricula, an encyclopaedic approach, a cult of test scores vs fostering creativity, independence, and critical thinking skills. Fear and stress or curiosity and activity – which is the healthier way to teach? A system of psychological and pedagogical assistance and the role of the school in upbringing.
Education for the economy
Polish high schools and universities vs the demands of the job market. How can curricula be adapted to the evolving needs of the economy? Educating for the future – but how? Specialisation vs versatility. Shorter education cycles, continuous and dual education, cooperation between business and universities, opportunities for lifelong skill acquisition and development. Vocational school teachers and their formation. The quality of education and its constant monitoring, analysis, and assessment. Quality management procedures at universities. The periodic evaluation of curricula, the choice of criteria, improvements.
Katowice – European City of Science
Benefits for the city and the region: permanent development outcomes. Plans for investments in regional science and associated infrastructure. Involving residents and the scientific community in local problems. Preparing for the events of 2024, current projects in Katowice, and the experiences of Leiden and other European Cities of Science.
Climate for innovation
An attractive space and environment for cooperation between business and science. How to shape an ecosystem that supports creativity and innovation? How to attract young economic and research leaders to cities or regions? European experiences: successful models. Schools, universities, employee skill development. The knowledge-based economy: opportunities and obstacles in Poland.
Cooperation between European universities
The European Universities initiative: a forum of cooperation, integration, and a new quality in European research. The quality of applications and their implementation. European alliances: goals, specializations, instruments. Examples of successful ventures, tested cooperation models, benefits and beneficiaries. The strategies of Polish universities allied in international consortia. Mobility, exchanging knowledge, sharing resources. Toward integration: European research in the future. A single system of research and education: is it realistic and necessary?
European identity
European identity: historical foundations, constitutive values, disputes over its definition, living potential. The European identity as a cultural, social and psychological phenomenon vs. its political connotations. War as a litmus test of solidarity and community. Being a European: the dilemmas of supranational identity. Local and national identity in EU member states: condition, values, and their cultivation. The European character in a changing world: an attractive lifestyle and European soft power. The material anchors of identity: what about the European economy and industry?
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REAL ESTATE
Real estate market
Commercial real estate in Europe and Poland. Main trends in different market sectors. A crisis or short-term disruption? How long will the current unrest last and will investors continue to hold back? How to maintain the profitability of a real estate business under conditions of skyrocketing investment and building maintenance costs? Funding costs and the profitability of new investments.
Housing market
From boom to collapse. A sudden deceleration in the housing and mortgage market. What does the Housing Affordability Index tell us? Government programmes and their outcomes thus far. Developers’ view of the situation in the housing, construction and mortgage market. Land supply, lack of development plans, tiresome red tape. Apartment prices in the shadow of crisis. Lack of apartments for rent. The PRS market: quick growth and barriers to further development. Models for PRS investments in Poland.
Offices and office buildings
Office real estate in Poland. How will the growing popularity of online and hybrid work models affect the forecasts for future office investments? Modern office spaces after the pandemic and their functions: new work models, new employee expectations. ESG standards in office work and space design and organisation. Green offices.
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LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, CITIES, REGIONS
Cities and metropolitan areas in green transformation
Energy efficiency: how to build urban infrastructure and design space in an environmentally friendly way? Photovoltaics, heat pumps, what else? Green, stable, and cheap energy for urban self-sufficiency. Zero-emissions transportation: fleet and mobility plans. How do metropolises do it? Adapting to climate change: management, investment, finances, resident expectations. Zero-emissions cities by 2050: a realistic commitment?
Public-private partnership
The PPP model as an opportunity in times of investment shortages. The previous years in Poland: mainly small projects. Causes and ways to overcome the impasse. The “PPP 2017” policy: which barriers were eliminated, what still remains to be done? The climate for cooperation between the public sector and private business and how to improve it. Transparency and intelligible responsibility criteria. Problems with investment cost estimates. Legal solutions, standards and their dissemination, the database of investment plans.
Eastern Poland
In the rearguard of the war: development problems related to the situation across the eastern border. The collapse of exports to the countries at war and the blockade on imports from Russia and Belarus: the effects on the economy of Eastern Poland. The current investment climate in this part of Poland: reactions of current and potential investors. Transborder trade and economic relations: how to protect or rebuild them? The New Silk Road: a lost opportunity for Eastern Poland? The tourism sector, influx of Ukrainian refugees: new problems or opportunities?
Ukrainians in Poland
Ukrainian guests in Poland, Polish schools, the job market and social life. Decisions to stay on or to return. Adaptation, assimilation, co-existence, cooperation. Openness and willingness to help: how to keep up the positive attitude of the Polish people?
Local government finances and budgets
Prosperity or crisis? The financial situation of Polish local governments in the eyes of politicians and local government officials: sources of disparities. New burdens, responsibilities, tasks: how to fund them? Difficult 2023/24 budgets: the typical and most serious problems with planning and implementation. Funds for day-to-day operations and investment. Financial possibilities and the actual level of self-reliance and independence of local government institutions.
Local government and the energy crisis
The energy independence of local governments in times of crisis, inflation, financial problems. How to ensure energy security for local communities? Energy clusters and cooperatives. Local governments on the fuel and energy market. Purchasing groups. Local energy grids. Investments in energy efficiency. Cooperation between local government, municipal companies, the heating sector and scientists.
Revitalising urban space
Revitalisation projects in Polish cities. New functions of urban space: resident expectations, local government capabilities, investor ambitions. Hard, soft, and integrated projects. Successful and unsuccessful revitalisation projects: a survey of experiences, a catalogue of mistakes, universal principles. Heritage conservation, creating a new value, preventing crises and loss of function: different goals of urban revitalisation projects. Costs, funding, benefits: how do we measure revitalisation outcomes?
Regions and investments
EU funds as an important source of investment funding in Poland. The last such large amount of resources? Programs, plans, and instruments; allocations and tight schedules in the new 2027 financial framework. Cohesion and transformation: European priorities vs. the plans of Polish provinces. What do regions want to invest in? New investments in development as an opportunity to align ourselves with global trends: green and effective energy and transportation, modern infrastructure, climate and the environment, digitization. The macroeconomic environment and the financial situation of local governments and their ability to put down an equity contribution to projects. Regional transborder cooperation in the context of infrastructure investments and good practice sharing.
Clean air in cities and regions
Top projects that improve the quality of air in Polish urban areas. Domestic- and regional-level opportunities for funding ant-smog projects. Educational programs and information tools. The role of science, business, and NGOs in our fight for clean air.
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COMMERCE
Commerce in the new era
Omnichannel sales, technology, consumers. The role of innovation and automation in customer relations. Omnichannel cross border sales – go global or go local? Personal shopper – the role of product recommendations. E-commerce racing against the clock. The latest e-commerce solutions. Digital payments, the metaverse, avatar fashion.
Retail mixed up, on the rocks
New business realities in commerce: inflation, disrupted supply chains, growing customer expectations. The most robust and the most long-lasting trends in commerce: what to bet on? Puppet-like or well-informed: what will the customer of the future be like? Retail always on the go.
Technologies in commerce
Commerce in the trap of algorithms: still an exchange of goods or already a digital stream of transmission? What are the limits of personalisation and who really stands behind the purchasing decisions of the consumer? Will customer experience be trapped in a technology bubble?
Green commerce
Sustainable commerce as a postulate or successful strategy? Temptation and verification: greenwashing in commerce. How long is the path to zero waste? Circular commerce and extended responsibility create new challenges for the packaging industry, logistics and warehouses. What does sustainable commerce have to offer to consumers and employees? Subscription, rental, experience – are these new forms of ownership good for the planet?
Marketplace – the world on a digital platform
Digital sales platforms under the current economic and consumer conditions. Benefits for customers, economies and the environment. Risks and limitations. Changes in platform models. The omnichannel marketplace: integration with physical stores.
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GEOPOLITICS AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION
Global trade and investment
International trade, economic expansion and investment in remote markets in times of instability and dynamic change in the global economy. Financing international trade. New, attractive locations, enclaves of stability, opportunities and incentives: where to find the chances for growth and success? Risk assessment and management. The role of knowledge, expertise and skills, organisational background, cooperation with advisors and local partners.
Polish-American economic cooperation
The Polish-American strategic partnership for energy security, defence and economic transformation. The Polish atom: prospects for cooperation, expectations, declarations.
Economic cooperation with the Arabian Peninsula
Countries of the Arabian Peninsula as attractive partners for Polish exporters and investors. Important areas of potential cooperation: mining and construction, health care, education, food production and processing. The needs and opportunities for trade and joint projects in the current geopolitical situation.
South Korea – Europe – Poland
Korean investment in Poland. The potential for cooperation between South Korea and EU member states in the areas of defence, nuclear energy safety and advanced technologies. Exports to Korea: attractive offers and the opportunities for the Polish economy.
Polish-Czech Economic Meetings
Czech Republic and Poland: important economic partners. The areas, achievements and potential of bilateral cooperation. How to stimulate the development of economic relations. Promising areas in trade and investment. Opportunities for joint projects and ventures.
Transborder regional cooperation
Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia: examples of joint projects in borderland regions. Experiences and effects on social development and the economy. The potential and prospects for further cooperation. Sources of funding, the role of EU resources.
Polish-German economic cooperation
Three decades of economic partnership on the free market: experiences and conclusions for the nearest future. The potential of the two economies, their strengths, the mutual importance of partners. Selected sectors and industries and their potential for win-win cooperation. The role of bilateral cooperation in regional and European energy security. The current political climate and the opportunities for the development of economic relations in the context of crises, disruptions and dynamic transformations.
Polish-British economic cooperation
After Brexit: the state of Polish-British economic and trade relations, as regulated by the agreement between the EU and Great Britain. The third largest target market for Polish exports and the twelfth largest for imports. The importance of cooperation with Poland for the British economy. Digitization, the green economy, supply chain security, and other areas in which cooperation can still be developed.
Regulations in international trade and expansion
The EU policy of abolishing tariffs and other barriers to global competition among the largest economies. Free trade agreements, promoting EU norms and standards: where are we standing, what else can be achieved? Licensing standards, employee rights, environmental protection: potential points of disagreement. Regulations protecting the internal market: protectionism in Europe and across the globe. A wave of regulations designed to ensure independence in terms of critical raw materials, components, and goods. Learn and use: the importance of understanding regulations and good adaptive practices in international business expansion.
Economic sanctions
Political and economic pressure on Russia from the EU and the Western world. Schedule, lessons, efficacy. Who has won, who has lost: ethics and pragmatism. Sanctions as a challenge to business: how to pull out and cut your losses? Diversifying supplies and achieving full independence from Russian imports: what does Europe need to do in order to complete the process? Predicted impact of sanctions on the Russian economy: compensation options for Russian exports and international cooperation, delayed effects, isolating the aggressor on the international arena, cutting Russia off from technology. What other sanctions can be expected in the future?
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FOOD PRODUCTION. AGRICULTURE
Food security
War, climate crisis, demographic problems: factors that affect global food security. Supply chain disruptions during the pandemic: food distribution problems. How to ensure food security under such conditions? Reliable supplies, protection of water and soil resources and biodiversity, limiting food loss and waste. UN’s “Zero Hunger” agenda and the guidelines of other international organisations (European Commission, WTO, FAO, OECD) – from recommendation to action.
From Farm to Fork
The “Farm to Fork” strategy for sustainable food systems. The EU strategy vs national plans. Necessary technology adjustments and their costs. Types and scale of investment. Knowledge transfer. Changes in production and distribution models. Reducing food loss, food waste, and the resources needed to produce unused food products. Self-sufficiency as an increasingly important element of food security.
Green Deal in Polish agriculture
The European food and agriculture system, supported within the framework of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP): a gold standard or a system in urgent need of reform? Changes in the CAP. Key challenges of the sustainable food production trend for the potential of Polish agriculture, production system and food exports. Development of regenerative agriculture. What types of incentives do farmers need to shift to more sustainable production systems? How to shorten supply chains. Technologies, products and organisational models that support the green transformation in agriculture. The place of Poland in the European food security architecture.
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SOCIETY, QUALITY OF LIFE, CULTURE
Family-owned businesses. Succession problems
The role of family-owned businesses in exports and the economy. How to successfully combine traditional values with modernity and the challenges of growing competition. Barriers to investment, “digitally excluded” owners? The European problem of orphaned family businesses. Why don’t successors want to take them over? How to pass the reins to close relatives without harming the business? External managers or shared ownership and control: other ways to keep up the potential and value of the business. The institution of a family foundation as a way to improve the legal environment of succession.
An aging Europe
The “senior tsunami” – a geopolitical, economic and social challenge. What can we do today to prepare for the inevitable aging pf our societies? How will our social reality change in terms of healthcare, social insurance, and the job market? Migration as an answer to the demographic crisis? Experienced workers on the job market: activation and adaptability. Products and services for seniors: a new, huge market.
Women in business
The dispute over gender parity and quotas: how effective are these tools in levelling out disparities? Female leadership: what kind of women leaders do companies need? How to make women aware of their assets and abilities? The role of consciousness, acceptance and self-growth management skills. Breaking through the glass ceiling: what kind of organisational culture supports diversity?
Ukraine – the power of women
Ukrainian women on the internal front lines. The burden of maintaining the standard of life of families and communities in the face of aggression targeted at civilians and civilian infrastructure. How can Poland effectively support Ukrainian wives and mothers? Humanitarian aid, support for Ukrainian women. The role of solidarity initiatives (“Sisterhood for Ukraine”), NGO activism and famous public celebrities. Polish and Ukrainian women and leaders in the process of post-war reconstruction.
Third sector
NGOs in Polish public, social and economic life. The achievements of three decades of building social capital and laying the foundations for a civil society. NGOs and employers: between passion and work. Cooperation between NGOs and business and local government administration. A climate for the third sector: Polish NGOs in the light of centralising trends. Where are the activities of the third sector particularly effective? Examples. Funding NGOs: social and institutional control over resource allocation and spending. How to effectively support NGOs and create an environment conducive to their activities?
Sustainable fashion
The impact of the fashion industry on the environment, climate change and waste volumes. Big players in the fashion business. Clothing brands following the dictates of growing customer awareness and expectations. Top trends and phenomena in the fashion industry: fair trade, upcycling, slow-fashion, eco-textiles. The primacy of quality, informed shopping, new consumer models.
Business, law, procedures
The abuse of temporary detention procedures against business. The competence of the prosecution and the justice system in the business arena. Conflicts of interest at the interface of private and state-owned property. The CEO is in jail, but it’s business as usual: how does that look in practice? Damages and compensation.
Water resources
Water scarcity in Poland. The Climate Water Balance for Poland: threats, conclusions, measures and long-term strategies. Deficits, droughts, floods. Small and large retention needs. Sustainable water resource management. The case of the Oder River: what did we learn from the 2022 disaster? An isolated incident or symptom of a structural crisis? How to prevent this from happening again?
Culture, city, business
The role of culture in city-building and growth. Culture vs the quality of life, job market attractiveness, depopulation. Institutions and events, or spending on culture as an investment. Local government - business - culture: conditions and models for effective and satisfying cooperation. European Cities of Culture, their experiences, benefits, and lasting changes.
Events and development
The city-building potential of the MICE industry. Festivals and entertainment, sports and business events as a marker of life quality. Event infrastructure, event availability and attractiveness. MICE and the economic situation: the impact of the industry on the services sector and economic growth on a regional and local scale. The event industry as an employer.
Sports, economy, society
Spectacular sporting events as a factor of growth, tourist attraction, and promotional asset. Sports and recreation in urban space; large events for fans and infrastructure for all. Top-rank events: an organizational challenge, costs and potential benefits.
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HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
Polish drug policy
Drug security no less important than national defence. Key experiences of the war and the pandemic – any conclusions? Why have we not improved our drug security in years? Actions needed to improve drug supply security and independence. Self-sufficiency: is it possible at all and if so, to what extent? Building a Polish drug security system in comparison with other countries. The refund scheme act: main provisions.
Funding healthcare
Effectiveness of the healthcare funding system and procedures in Poland. The greatest controversies, points of contention and their sources. 7% of GDP for healthcare – how far along are we on the way to that goal? Opportunities for increased funding. Conditions for effective spending. Primary health care, outpatient specialist care and hospitals. How should funds be distributed? Salaries in healthcare. What should be their “weight” in the system? A claim to discuss: more money in the system improves access to services.
Lifestyle diseases
Civilisation growth and population health. The most common lifestyle diseases: their scale and dynamics. Air quality and chronic respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases. Social effects, the costs of “new” conditions. Diagnosis and treatment. Minimising risks. Prevention and its effectiveness. Lifestyle diseases yesterday and today.
Investment in medical research and development
R&D in medicine in Poland, Europe and the world. MedTech, biotechnologies, telemedicine: research areas, trends and markets that shape the future of medicine. Expenditure, needs and expectations. A dialogue between science and medicine: speaking about R&D investment in one voice. Investment in technologies and therapies: social and business aspects. Science and medicine as an engine of innovation in the economy; importance for the job market. Polish opportunities and areas of expertise. The potential of Polish start-ups: the most spectacular projects and failures. Who funds research and how?
