The NGO sector is getting stronger thanks to the private companies’ help – “25 years of independence. 25 years of the private sector’s involvement in the support of civil society” debate in the Presidential Palace.

Representatives of the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and presidents of Polish companies supporting the so-called third sector (financially, by donating goods and by offering voluntary workers’ help) gathered on September 18, 2014 in the Presidential Palace.

The meeting was initiated and organized by Academy for the Development of Philanthropy in Poland, Coalition “Presidents-Volunteers 2011”, and the Chancellery of the President of Poland. The debate concerned the past and the future of co-operation between the private sector and NGOs. Participants discussed forms of the collaboration, its development prospects and the main problems that it faces. As it was emphasized, the occasional and purely financial contacts, should be replaced with strong and long-term partnerships.

Ewa Balcerowicz, Chairwoman of CASE Supervisory Council, delivered a presentation opening the first part of the debate. Describing Poland’s experiences, she pointed out that economic reforms launched 25 years ago, depoliticizing the Poland’s economy and introducing free market mechanisms, helped to release Poles’ energy and encouraged them to start up their own enterprises on a large scale.

Following their Western counterparts, the Polish companies, those set up by both nationals and foreigners, are getting involved in the local and national affairs by offering financial support and granting goods to the NGOs. They also directly support many civic initiatives and promote corporate volunteering. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a very important measure, which facilitates mitigation of the societal problems, aids education process and complements individual’s activities. Self-organization and individuals’ involvement in the social and public affairs, not simply waiting for the government’s actions, is what really matters in the truly free society. Democracy, unlike autocracy, gives people a chance to be free and act for the common good.

Representatives of the companies famous for their CSR activities took part in the debate, namely Orange Polska S.A., KGHM Polska Miedź S.A., ENEA S.A., PZU, ANG S.A. Group, Genworth Financial Insurance Group Services Polska and the Citi Handlowy’s Kronenberg Foundation. The NGOs were represented by Janina Ochojska from Polish Humianitarian Action, Janusz Pawłowski from the Integration Foundation, father Jacek Stryczek from Association Stowarzyszenie Wiosna and Janusz Makuch from the Society Jewish Culture Festival. Prof. Bolesław Rok from Business Ethics Centre (joint venture of the Kozminski University and Polish Academy of Scinces) and Jakub Wygnański from The Unit for Social Innovation and Research – Shipyard also participated in the event. Employers’ organizations, dealing with CSR, were represented by presidents of Responsible Business Forum and Forum Darczyńców.

Photos: Chancellery of the President of Poland