University of Lodz will be represented by:
- dr hab. Agnieszka Kurczewska, UL Professor, Vice-Rector for External Relations at the University of Lodz, a researcher at the Department of Economic Mechanisms at the Faculty of Economics and Sociology at the University of Lodz,
- mgr Ada Florentyna Pawlak, a lecturer at the Institute of Ethnology and Cultural Anthropology, speaker at the Digital University, Vice President of the Board of Directors, Society for Ethics and Philosophy of Technology. Ada Florentyna Pawlak specialises in the area of social implications of artificial intelligence and transhumanism,
- dr hab. Mariusz Sokołowicz, UL Professor, Head of the Department of Regional Economics and Environment at the Faculty of Economics and Sociology, University Lodz, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Sociology, University of Lodz.
University of Lodz wants to be an active participant in important debates and discussions. Those big ones, with international scope such as the European Forum for New Ideas, but also smaller ones but equally relevant from a local perspective. As a socially responsible university, we want to be present wherever something important happens and engage in an active dialogue with the business world. The fact that we are a partner of such an impressive venture is a result of our conscious strategy
emphasises dr hab. Agnieszka Kurczewska, UL Professor, Vice-Rector for External Relations, University of Lodz.
This year's subject matter of EFNI, centred on the slogan #CoBędzieJutro [WhatWillHappenTomorrow], is implemented in 4 thematic blocks:
- Europe, is a big reset needed?
- Economy – excess or moderation?
- Will technology save the world?
- Green Horizon 2050
Discussion panels created in partnership with the University of Lodz are part of them.
13 October - Business in the Era of Metaverse
9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. | PAVILLON Room | "Digital transformation of the Union” track
Partners: EY, Meta, Antal, University of Lodz
What technological barriers still weigh on the future and pace of Metaverse development? From ideas and technological innovation to business – can Metaverse be monetized, and if so, how? Who will be the main beneficiaries of this undertaking? What’s paid for and what’s widely available in a total virtual world parallel to the physical one?
- mgr Ada Florentyna Pawlak, University of Lodz,
- Jacob Turowski, Public Policy Director CEE, Meta,
- Piotr Ciepiela, EY Partner, Global Cyber Architecture, Engineering & Emerging Technologies Leader
- Artur Skiba, CEO, Antal.
Moderated by: Aleksandra Musielak, Director of the Digital Economy Department, Polish Confederation Lewiatan.
13 October – What competencies will the future expect from us?
1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. | Atrium A Room | “Equal and Diverse Union” track
Partners: University of Lodz, Bosch
How the unleashed digital transformation, covering more areas of life, will translate into new needs, relationships and competencies in organisations? What challenges are employers already facing today as new generations enter the labour market?
- dr hab.Agnieszka Kurczewska, UL Professor, University of Lodz
- Piotr Pyzio, Member of the Management Board, Bosch Polska
- Wojciech Szajnar, Director, Digital Poland Projects Centre,
- Anna Kornacka, President of the Management Board, Związek Pracodawców Pomorza Zachodniego,
- Agnieszka Wojtczuk-Turek, Director of the Human Capital Institute, Professor at the SGH Warsaw School Of Economics
Moderated by: Marek Tejchman, journalist Dziennik Gazeta Prawna, editor
13 October – Healthy Cities – which cities have the best living standards?
1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. | Atrium B Room | “Union of the future” track
Partners: Tier, University of Lodz
Can Polish cities and agglomerations compete with the West in terms of living standards, availability of services or air quality? Which cities have the best living standards and what determines these standards?
- Introduction: Agnieszka Chłoń-Domińczak, Professor, SGH Warsaw School of Economics;
- Magdalena Czarzyńska-Jachim, Vice President of Sopot,
- Anna Rulkiewicz, CEO, Luxmed,
- Michał Olszewski, Vice President of Warsaw,
- Piotr Wachowiak, Professor, Rector of the SGH Warsaw School of Economics
- dr hab. Mariusz Sokołowicz, UL Professor
Moderated by: Marek Czyż, journalist, Radio Zet
13 October – Sustainable and mobile cities
2:45 p.m.-3:45 p.m. | Room Atrium C | „Green Change” track
Partners: Tier, University of Lodz
What is modernity in relation to cities? How are the prospects for the development of green transportation, especially public transportation, as well as the availability of environmentally responsible shared services?
- Mathieu Deloly, Tier Director for Central and Eastern Europe region
- Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, President of Gdańsk
- Zuzanna Rudzińska-Bluszcz, Legal Counselor, Chairman of the Board of the ClientEarth Lawyers for Earth Foundation
- Prof. Mariusz Sokołowicz, University of Lodz
Moderated by: Joanna Erbel, housing expert, member of the program board of the Tenant Market Foundation
The European Forum for New Ideas is one of the largest conferences in this part of the continent, dedicated to global trends, new ideas and the future of Europe. Business representatives, charismatic speakers, leaders and policy-makers as well as authorities from the world of culture and science discuss the most important challenges for business and societies in a changing world, global trends and the future shape of the European Union during dozens of events, panel discussions, open meetings, counterpoints or night owl discussions.
Every year, the Forum gathers over a thousand participants – representatives of the world of business, science, culture and administration, Polish and European alike. The European Forum for New Ideas has been organised since 2011 by the Polish Confederation Lewiatan in cooperation with BusinessEurope and the city of Sopot.
Guests of EFNI in previous years included: Herman Van Rompuy - DHC of the University of Lodz, Mikhail Gorbachev, George Friedman, José Manuel Barroso, Zbigniew Brzezinski, Jeffrey Sachs, Frans Timmermans, Bernard-Henri Lévy.
Source: Centre for External Relations, University of Lodz; EFNI;
Edit: Promotion Centre, University of Lodz