6 August 2026 marks one year since Karol Nawrocki was sworn in as President of the Republic of Poland. Over the past twelve months, strengthening relations with Poles living abroad has been an important part of the President’s activities and international engagements.
From the very beginning of his presidency, President Karol Nawrocki has emphasised the importance of maintaining strong and lasting ties between Poland and the millions of Poles and people of Polish origin living around the world.
His first foreign visit, shortly after taking office, was to Lithuania – a choice carrying significant symbolic meaning. The visit highlighted the importance of Poland’s relations with its closest neighbours and the President’s commitment to the Polish community in the Vilnius region, which has preserved the Polish language, culture, traditions and national identity for generations.
Seven Meetings with Polish Communities Abroad
During his first year in office, President Nawrocki met with representatives of the Polish diaspora seven times during his foreign visits.
One of the most significant visits was to Florida, where President Nawrocki became the first serving President of the Republic of Poland to visit the Polish community there.
His meetings with Poles abroad provided an opportunity to listen directly to the concerns and challenges facing Polish communities, while also discussing ways of strengthening their links with Poland and ensuring that Polish identity, history, language and traditions continue to be passed on to future generations.
For Polish communities around the world, presidential visits also represent an important recognition of their contribution to Poland and to the countries in which they live.
The Chancellery of the President and Engagement with the Diaspora
Relations with the Polish diaspora have also been strengthened through the work of representatives of the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland.
On behalf of the President, Minister Agnieszka Jędrzak, Undersecretary of State at the Chancellery of the President and responsible for cooperation with the Polish diaspora, participated in meetings with Polish communities in Latvia, Lithuania, Scotland and Moldova.
She has also taken part in numerous events in Poland and abroad dedicated to Polish diaspora organisations, education and community life.
Among the key initiatives and meetings were:
- the Małopolska Congress of Polish Diaspora Education;
- the 2nd World Congress of Polish Diaspora Youth from Poland and Abroad, held at the Presidential Palace;
- a meeting at Belweder Palace with Polish teachers from Lithuania, Ukraine and Belarus;
- consultations with representatives of Polish diaspora organisations;
- the President’s visit to London and meeting with the Polish community in the United Kingdom.
London: Meeting the Polish Community in Britain
The President’s visit to London was particularly significant for the Polish community in the United Kingdom.
Britain is home to one of the largest Polish communities outside Poland, with generations of Poles having built their lives in the country while continuing to maintain strong links with their homeland.
The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the experiences and challenges of the Polish community in Britain, as well as the importance of preserving Polish language, history, culture and national identity among younger generations.
More information about President Nawrocki’s visit to London and his meeting with the Polish community can be found below.
A New Platform for Dialogue: The Council for the Polish Diaspora and Poles Abroad
One of the most important developments of the first year of President Nawrocki’s presidency was the establishment, on 2 May 2026, of the Council for the Polish Diaspora and Poles Abroad to the President of the Republic of Poland.
The Council brings together 64 representatives of Polish communities from 19 countries across five continents.
Its members include representatives of Polish diaspora organisations, entrepreneurs, teachers and experts from a variety of professional and academic fields.
The establishment of the Council created a new and important platform for dialogue between the President of Poland and Poles living abroad.
During its first three months of activity, the Council adopted four positions, addressing issues including the financing of Polish diaspora media and matters concerning Polish citizenship.
The Council is intended to provide a direct channel through which the experiences, concerns and ideas of Poles living abroad can reach the highest levels of the Polish state.
More information about the Council for the Polish Diaspora and Poles Abroad can be found below.
Young Poles Abroad – Investing in the Future
An important element of President Nawrocki’s approach to the Polish diaspora is the involvement of the younger generation.
President Nawrocki has announced plans to expand the Council to include young leaders of Polish origin living outside Poland.
The initiative is intended to give young representatives of the Polish diaspora a stronger voice in public life and encourage them to become actively involved in shaping the future of relations between Poland and Polish communities abroad.
For many young Poles born or raised outside Poland, maintaining a connection with their heritage can be both a personal and a generational challenge. Greater involvement of young diaspora leaders can therefore play an important role in ensuring that these connections remain strong in the decades ahead.
A Stronger Partnership Between Poland and the Polish Diaspora
The first year of President Karol Nawrocki’s presidency has been marked by numerous meetings, initiatives and new forms of cooperation with Polish communities around the world.
The establishment of the Council for the Polish Diaspora and Poles Abroad represents an important step towards creating a permanent platform for dialogue between Poland and its global Polish community.
For millions of Poles and people of Polish origin living outside the country, these initiatives send an important message: their contribution, experience and voice matter, and their connection with Poland remains an important part of the Polish national community.
As President Nawrocki enters his second year in office, new challenges and projects lie ahead. The continued strengthening of relations with Polish communities on every continent will remain an important task – one that concerns not only the preservation of Polish heritage, but also the future of Poland’s relationship with its global community.
Watch the Video
🎥 A short video summary of President Karol Nawrocki’s meetings with Polish communities around the world:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1ByfMxPCj3/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Thank you, Mr President, and we wish you many more successful years of work with the Polish diaspora around the world.
For Poland. 🇵🇱🇵🇱
Text: Polish Sue
Sources: Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland (KPRP), Polish Sue
Photos: KPRP, Polish Sue
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