Roman Kuźniar: The Dream of a United Europe. The Z. Najder Competition

In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Polish Independence Association's (PPN) program, the University of Warsaw's Faculty of Political Science and International Studies has launched an award for the best master's thesis on European unity. This initiative honors Zdzisław Najder, a towering figure in Poland's fight for freedom and a visionary proponent of a strong, independent Poland deeply integrated within Europe.

Najder, who envisioned a Europe as a "cultural, civilizational, and political formation" founded on truth, justice, and human dignity, was a key architect of the democratic opposition during the communist era. His unwavering commitment to Poland's sovereignty and its place within the European community, even leading to a death sentence in absentia, makes him an ideal patron for this award. The PPN's vision was clear: a non-communist Poland, free from the Soviet bloc, and firmly anchored in the European Economic Community.

This nationwide competition, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and embraced by Rzeczpospolita, seeks to engage with contemporary debates on the European Union. It encourages scholarly exploration of the historical paths to European integration, its current complexities, and the future challenges it faces. By focusing on Najder's pro-European and independence-minded vision, the award aims to inspire a new generation of thinkers to contribute to the ongoing project of a united and democratic Europe, a project that remains profoundly relevant to Poland's identity and future.