After a long period as a country of emigration, Poland is now preparing to receive a growing number of foreigners on its soil, explains the Director of the Polish Office for repatriated nationals and foreigners, Piotr Stachanczyk, heading his country’s delegation to the Helsinki Conference.

Piotr Stachanczyk: For the moment we are mainly receiving people from Ukraine, Belarus and Russia, a high proportion of whom are seasonal workers and daily commuters. They are not yet present in very large numbers, but we know that after we accede to the European Union, the number of foreign residents will increase significantly. We are also thinking about better reception facilities for refugees and unaccompanied children.

Piotr Stachanczyk: We are convinced that we cannot just integrate foreigners by taking administrative measures. That is why we rely heavily on the local level to promote hosting and integration, which is achieved through school, vocational training and local community life. We also want to involve non-governmental organisations in the context of a genuine endeavour on the ground. Likewise, we want foreigners to be able to live in our country under the best conditions. For example, it will be explained to them that learning Polish is in their interests, because without the language they are going to have great trouble understanding and being understood, especially away from major cities. But nobody will be compelled to learn it; incentive will simply be given.

Piotr Stachanczyk: It’s important that every country can state its expectations and experiences regarding common problems. We are here to listen and exchange views, and we shall also emphasise the need for practical approaches; for all those reasons, we support the proposals of the Council of Europe.