News Poland
Another PolBloglet
The EU accession process has had both positive and negative effects on the situation of Polish women. On the one hand, adjustments to the Polish economy that were required by the EU had a negative impact on the economic position of many Polish women. At the same time, other EU requirements ‘forced’ the Polish government to place a greater emphasis on social policy and not just on economic development. Consequently, the EU requirements have given women new tools they can use to fightfor their social and economic rights.
Source: Karat Coalition Report (NOTE: This is a PDF file...small). Link to Karat Coalition Home page.
EU men are earning on average a 20 percent higher salary than women, according to a Manpower Study made in cooperation with Barcelona university.
The gap is the widest in the Netherlands, Germany and the UK - between 26 and 23 percent - while in Spain, Portugal and Ireland the difference is around 20 percent.
According to recent findings from the EU's own statistical agency, Eurostat, EU women earn 25 percent less than men.
Source: EUobserver.com: "EU men earn 20 percent more than women"
FAIR USE NOTICE This article contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in the efforts to advance understanding of Poland's economic, environmental, human rights, political, scientific, and social justice issues, among others. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material in this article is distributed without profit for research and educational purposes.
PolBloglet: The End of Print Media in Poland?
PolBloglet: The End of Print Media in Poland?
News PolandAnother PolBloglet Newsweek Polska decided to put to a test the theory claiming that blogging will be replacing traditional journalism, as a more authentic and independent form of publication, easily - and freely - accesible to an ever growing community of e-readers, who less and less often reach for the printed page. Following in the footsteps of many renowned journalists representing all the most influential titles in the world, six of Polish Newsweek columnists have begun this week to write their own blogs, accesible from the
magazine's internet site.
We are to see, whether internauts are indeed more attracted to that form of "press release."
source: Newsweek Polska***************************************************************************************
PolBlog - News Poland 24/7
Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
Read the news then share your views
FAIR USE NOTICE This article contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in the efforts to advance understanding of Poland's economic, environmental, human rights, political, scientific, and social justice issues, among others. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material in this article is distributed without profit for research and educational purposes.
EUsterka! - Pipedreams in Poland
EUsterka! - Pipedreams in Poland
News Poland
by ~JS
From Jan Pawel the Pope to Piotr the Plumber, Poland is lately becoming a fixture in the Euro-media. Enough has already been blogged about regarding what the Polish plumber symbolizes for France (all that is wrong with an expanded EU, for example). Poland took this sour PR lemon and made sweet self-promoting lemonade.
However, was the point to actually bolster tourism? To stimulate a new genre of plumber jokes (Incidentally, do you know any?)? Probably not. Who looks more ridiculous in this caricature? The plumber-phobic French, or Disco-Polo Piotr? The well known truth about symbols is that they can't be made to mean only one thing. Those who create them lose control once they become de-contextualized, especially in the hands of hundreds of bloggers. Did you get the ironic pre-text here?
Could the Polish plumber symbolize the same kind of hope and opportunity for Poles that their beloved Pope John Paul II did? While the plumber image has been used to scare old EU members into protectionist postures, how is it playing in Poland (and the newer members in general)? Using the hope for better prospects - very real propects, as I read that in France alone, they need thousands of plumbers - in a country with double digit unemployment is always a delicate operation. Afterall, the image can reinforce damaging stereotypes and undermine the very things it seeks to promote.
I live in Poland, Warsaw to be precise, and can tell you that I have never met a Polish plumber, but I do meet and am friends with many talented and hardworking Poles from many professional sectors. From Popes to plumbers, Poles are hopeful. So, do you have any stories about Polish, or French plumbers? And how about those jokes?
I'm staying in Poland.
Come on over. PS. For those thinking about a new career in the trade,
enroll in a course.
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PolBlog - News Poland 24/7
Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
Read the news then share your views
FAIR USE NOTICE This article contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in the efforts to advance understanding of Poland's economic, environmental, human rights, political, scientific, and social justice issues, among others. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material in this article is distributed without profit for research and educational purposes.
News PolandAnother PolBloglet C-r-a-w-l-i-n-g across Warsaw this afternoon on the tram (melting in the heat) I noticed about 4 cow sculptures strung along the center. They were painted different colors - one was in front of McDonald's another was near London Steak House, and two were actually welded on top of bus stop shelters (a bizarre one was in front of the train station). So, I did some googling and found the web page here. This project is touring the world and intended to generate interest in public art, like our (in)famous Palm has in Wa-wa. What's next? A 'patty' toss across the Rotunda?
Source:
CowParade Warsaw Warsaw - The Official Site
FAIR USE NOTICE This article contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in the efforts to advance understanding of Poland's economic, environmental, human rights, political, scientific, and social justice issues, among others. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material in this article is distributed without profit for research and educational purposes.
News PolandAnother PolBloglet I suggest that he ask the French why the heck for so many years they encouraged Poles to build capitalism when as it turns out they are Communists themselves, Mr. Walesa, an electrician by trade, said in an interview published Friday in the Polish daily Gazeta Wyborcza. He added, Piotr probably won't have the chance to say this, so he should at least publicize Poland well in Paris.
Source - Instapundit.com "THE POLISH PLUMBER STRIKES BACK"
FAIR USE NOTICE This article contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in the efforts to advance understanding of Poland's economic, environmental, human rights, political, scientific, and social justice issues, among others. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material in this article is distributed without profit for research and educational purposes.
News Polandreported from
EUobserver.com:
Anti-Americanism in Europe, provoked by the Iraqi war in 2003, remains high,with the exception of Poland and the UK, a new survey has shown.
Europeans want more autonomy and independence from the US, and a majority of French, German and Spaniards think the US does not take into consideration other countries' interests, according to a poll by the international Pew Global Attitudes project.
By contrast, Americans favour a close partnership with Western Europe. Sixty-six percent feel the US and Western Europe should remain as close as in the past.
EUobserver.com: "Anti-Americanism in Europe, provoked by the Iraqi war in 2003, remains high, with the exception of Poland and the UK, a new survey has shown. "
Some interesting results between Germany and France -->
HERE
ViewIt's important to provide a global context just in case the navel-gazing EU-club thinks EU equals world opinion. America's image globally has risen a bit. This study was conducetd a couple months ago (prior to the EU constitution votes in France and Netherlands), according to the Pew Study, 62% of Poles, and 55% of Brits hold a favorable opinion of USA, as (predictably) compared with 43% and 41% in France and Germany, respectively. Of note, almost 13% of Germans and 15% of Poles thought that Jews had the most influence on USA relations with other countries (the highest in Europe, 60% of Jordanians thought Jews controlled US foreign policy). Interestingly, 70% of Americans think that in general they are too greedy compared with 31% of French. While over 60% of French think USA is too religious, only 6% of Poles do (over 50% of Americans think they aren't religious enough - a result which is in line with Muslim perceptions of USA). So, where does the truth lie? Is truth perception?
Living here in Poland, I wonder why Poles have a favorable attitude toward USA? I talk to Poles on a daily basis and many don't have such a favorable attitude. It's interesting to note that most of the EU thinks USA doesn't take other countries' interests under consideration when deciding foreign policy. Living in Euro-land, you would think that Europe is the only 'civilization' that matters - all the talk about crises and media coverage about the EU problems. The EU seems a bit self-important, and the recent problems it has had with constitution voting reveals a need to clean up its own backyard before pointing fingers. Perhaps the easiest thing to do when internal cleavages appear is to focus on something outside - like Bush. EU complains that USA is too powerful, yet all the while one of its own goals is to create a super-power to rival.
FAIR USE NOTICE This article contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in the efforts to advance understanding of Poland's economic, environmental, human rights, political, scientific, and social justice issues, among others. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material in this article is distributed without profit for research and educational purposes.
News PolandBy
Wojciech RogacinThe British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) wants to open a news/information radio station in Warsaw.
The BBC will probably be the first radio station in Poland 100% owned by foreign capital. The British giant can enter the Polish market following changes in the law after Poland's accession to the EU, which granted EU companies the right to enter the market without any capital limits.
Full article
HERE
View:
A good idea if it comes true. Except that on the 1 Programme of Polish Radio there isn't any other information station covering all Poland. I remember the BBC news when I used to listen in 80-ties and 90-ties and it was an objective and comprehensive bunch of news from Poland and from across the world. The same I expect on the Polish BBC.
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PolBlog - News Poland 24/7
Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
Read the news then share your views
FAIR USE NOTICE This article contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in the efforts to advance understanding of Poland's economic, environmental, human rights, political, scientific, and social justice issues, among others. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material in this article is distributed without profit for research and educational purposes.
News PolandIn from
Focus News:
The Polish Prime Minister Marek Belka expressed his disappointment from the fact that the EU didn’t reach an agreement for the budget 2007-2013 that according to him was due to egoism of the wealthy country members...He expressed his hope that these countries will get to a compromise decision in the next 6 months.
Rival views on EU are out in the open: "[T]wo rival views about the future of Europe, with Britain leading one camp and
Poland leading another "
ViewThis story requires no introduction as it is all over the European media. Interesting strategy by Poland; willing to take payment cuts from the EU. But Blair rejected this gesture. Poland is (was) poised to gain about 81 billion Euros for regional and agricultural needs this budget cycle. If it's delayed then the pie will be sliced thinner because of the newer candidates Bulgaria and Romania (and Turkey). Poland can't afford to stay angry at the UK since it is one of only 2-3 other EU countries that accept its workers. How will this effect Poland's enthusiasm for Ukraine or Turkey joining the club? To many Poles it will seem hypocritical of the likes of France and Britain to protect their national interests when these countries (and Poland's own politicians!) used EU solidarity and good will to convince Poland to say 'yes' to the EU in the first place. Well, the more things change the more they stay the same. But who looks greedy now?
FAIR USE NOTICE This article contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in the efforts to advance understanding of Poland's economic, environmental, human rights, political, scientific, and social justice issues, among others. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material in this article is distributed without profit for research and educational purposes.
The Pitch, The Money: How to Spend it?
The Pitch, The Money: How to Spend it?
News Poland
By Wojciech Rogacin
The story started back in 2003 when the council of Wola district in Warsaw promised to build a new sports field (pitch) on the grounds at the 63 primary school. Everyone was happy: schoolchildren, their parents and teachers. A modern, open pitch in a poor district was something that could turn many young people from a bottle of beer to sport.
Months passed and they did nothing on the ground. So a year later parents and teachers started to ask the council: where's our pitch? what about your promises? The answer was: the council is short of money and you can now forget having a new pitch.
That meant that children would have continue to play on the old, dusty ground which reminds one more of communist times than the piece of playground at the capital city of one of the EU countries.
Well, the council gave in to the financial crisis but parents continued their fight for the pitch. Last thursday they launched the Association of Friends of the 63 School in Warsaw and they are sure: we will eventually manage to build the pitch. They are going to do the project and formally apply for the EU funds on the playground.
The story is not ended yet but as I see people's desire to make the succes with the project I can be nearly sure they will achieve their goal.
View
This is positive story about people's pro-activeness. I wonder if it is not the exception? As I read in the newspapers Poland wasn't able to use all the funds that came to the country from the EU in 2004. And now, when there is the battle in Brussels over the next allocation of funds for Poland, I am wondering whether we will be able to spend the money? How many such active people like parents from the 63 school there are in Warsaw and Poland?
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PolBlog - News Poland 24/7
Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
Read the news then share your views
FAIR USE NOTICE This article contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in the efforts to advance understanding of Poland's economic, environmental, human rights, political, scientific, and social justice issues, among others. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material in this article is distributed without profit for research and educational purposes.
News PolandIn from
Khaleej Times OnlineDefence lawyers for Saddam Hussein say the deposed Iraqi dictator wants his case to be tried in Sweden or Poland instead of Iraq where he faces the death penalty...Hussein, 68, would escape the death penalty if tried in Poland or Sweden, both members of the European Union which has banned capital punishment.
Poland already has a top security court room complete with bullet-proof windows in the southern city of Katowice designed for the trial of mafia gangs which could accommodate the trial of the Iraqi dictator.
Full article
HERE
View:
Poland would take a risk hosting such a spectacle. Although the media frenzy would put Katowice on the map (probably not the best city to showcase Poland's tourist attractions). If the charges against Saddam are on the scale of genocide, why isn't the United Nations involved?
FAIR USE NOTICE This article contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in the efforts to advance understanding of Poland's economic, environmental, human rights, political, scientific, and social justice issues, among others. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material in this article is distributed without profit for research and educational purposes.
News Poland
In from Deccan Herald
Two women from Karnataka will be exhibiting products made by underprivileged women at a trade fair in Poland.
A trade exhibition, ‘India Initiative 2005’, is being held between June 16 and 18 in Warsaw, Poland. Only two women make up the delegation from Karnataka at this trade fair. Entrepreneurs Roopa Ravindran and Leela Sudhakar have made a career out of their artistic abilities and help underprivileged women.
They will be exhibiting their products in Poland with an aim to increase their export orders.
Candles, ceramic arts, Tanjore paintings, teracotta and stained glass artifacts are part of Roopa’s exhibits. She has conducted workshops in Gulbarga, Hubli and Dharwad to help underprivileged women gain financial security."
For more, click
here
View
This looks like an event that could be interesting. The cynic in me wonders if these women are being helped or exploited and made to think they are being helped, but I will keep a positive outlook. It is interesting to hear of such a relationship between Poland and India.
FAIR USE NOTICE This article contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in the efforts to advance understanding of Poland's economic, environmental, human rights, political, scientific, and social justice issues, among others. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material in this article is distributed without profit for research and educational purposes.
News PolandLifestyles/SportIn from
BeerBlog.pl:
Zywiec beer might sponsor Wisla Krakow starting this year. Wisla will lose its support from Era (estimated at over 4 million zloty per year).
View:
Beer and football go together (at least in Poland), this would be a nice marriage. But I haven't seen too many Champions League teams with beer logos on their jerseys. In Poland, it might work, but to a wider viewing public, it could flop -- can you imagine the pronunciation puns!
FAIR USE NOTICE This article contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in the efforts to advance understanding of Poland's economic, environmental, human rights, political, scientific, and social justice issues, among others. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material in this article is distributed without profit for research and educational purposes.
The 'NOs' Know Best?
The 'NOs' Know Best?
News Poland
Survey Review
Our (un)scientific survey concludes on a semi-positive note. With the majority (over 50%) indicating a positive attitude toward the EU Constitution. But the Euroskeptics were not far behind, with just under half of respondents supporting a France and the 'NO' vote on the EU Constitution.
How does France's rejection of the EU constitution effect you? Pick the strongest answer for you...
Votes
I agree with the French! 23% 5
They are just angry with Chirac, not the EU Constitution. 36% 8
I disagree with the French! 0% 0
I agree with the French and will vote them same way. 23% 5
I will vote yes for the EU Constitution 18% 4
22 votes total
In other reports, Poles seem to be
following French and Dutch voters. However, another interpretation is available. Emboldened by the 'no' vote, many Poles will voice their genuine opinion about the EU project now that it seems 'ok' to vote against the Constitution. Now that Poland cannot be seen as the spoiler, many here won't worry about what the 'politically correct' thing to do is. The best thing to do here is keep things in perspective. France and the Netherlands are not Europe. It will be interesting to see how a Polish 'no' will play in Paris.
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PolBlog - News Poland 24/7
Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
Read the news then share your views
FAIR USE NOTICE This article contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in the efforts to advance understanding of Poland's economic, environmental, human rights, political, scientific, and social justice issues, among others. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material in this article is distributed without profit for research and educational purposes.
News PolandIn from
Radio Polonia
A bomb threat brought Warsaw's city centre to a standstill for several hours. Police sealed off roads and evacuated a busy underpass after an anonymous caller said a bomb had been planted there. Huge traffic jams developed during the rush-hour. After three hours the alert was called off.
ViewI was caught in this mess today! The alert was called off after 3 hours, but the traffic gridlock didn't end. It looked like the Warsaw version of 9/11 (
sans the destruction and loss of life). But people were walking away from the center across the bridges. I was one of them. There were police on the trams, but they weren't talking to people -- perhaps everyone already knew. Kind of eerie silence among people. Was this a sick joke, domestic terrorism, or what many people feared might happen if Poland supported the USA in Iraq? Was it an attempt to scare the gay community over the
controversy about a march in Warsaw? Has anyone claimed responsibility?
FAIR USE NOTICE This article contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in the efforts to advance understanding of Poland's economic, environmental, human rights, political, scientific, and social justice issues, among others. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material in this article is distributed without profit for research and educational purposes.
News PolandIn from
CNN:
Voters in the Netherlands have rejected the proposed European Union constitution by 63 percent to 37 percent, according to an exit poll broadcast by Dutch NOS television.
The turnout in Wednesday's vote was 62 percent, exceeding all expectations, the state-financed broadcaster said.
The Dutch rejection is seen as a body blow to the 25-nation bloc after France voted "No" to the EU treaty on Sunday.
Full story here
View:
Just as the bystanders in the market-place smirked in amusement at Nietzsche's madman as he ran around in broad daylight holding a lantern and asking where God is (for they no longer believed in God), voters in Europe can expect to be approached by their politicians and asked what they have done to Europe. Of course, the governments know exactly what has been done -- Europe has been killed, and they have killed it. But as the story goes, it isn't necessarily a bad thing. For, in its current form, the EU has encouraged the illusion that there are particular truths (promoted as universal) that all must accept. So like God (as construed then), Europe as currently conceived is dead -- which actually translates as meaning, not Europe per se, but the current understanding of Europe is dead. The idiom about a baby and bathwater comes to mind here. The madman was last seen heading East of the Elbe, next stop, Poland?
**Join an official EU Blog by Margot Wallström, Vice-President of the Commission and Commissioner for Institutional Relations and Communication Strategy.
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PolBlog - News Poland 24/7
Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
Read the news then share your views
FAIR USE NOTICE This article contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in the efforts to advance understanding of Poland's economic, environmental, human rights, political, scientific, and social justice issues, among others. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material in this article is distributed without profit for research and educational purposes.
