Seminar Series 5

• Title: Polish-African economic and political relations after 1989
• Speaker: Dr Andrzej Polus (University of Wrocław)
• Discussant: Dr Patrick Kimunguyi (Monash University)

Abstract:

The main objective of this study was to examine the developments of political and economic relations between Poland and Sub-Saharan Africa. The article was written from the Polish perspective. The author was fully aware that the perception of Sub-Saharan Africa as a homogeneous region had to result in multiple oversimplifications, however the analyzes of the Polish “African discourse” indicated, that political and business elites were not aware about the heterogeneity of the continent. The article demonstrated that after the eastward enlargement of the European Union in 2004 Poland had realized its principal goal of foreign policy and did not attempt to redefine its role and place in international relations in terms of its potential and assets. From 2013 Polish – Sub-Saharan relations were intensified, but it is everything but clear whether it will become a permanent trend. 

1. See the poster: Click here
2. See the presentation: Click here (it's at the bottom of the page)
3. See the video podcast: Click here