Polish American Congress Announces Program

I N V I T A T I O N
Polish American Congress Announces Program for Conference on
The Polish American Community in the 21st Century:
Challenges and Opportunities
Chicago, Illinois, August 20, 2009


The two-day conference, beginning at 9:00 am Thursday, October 15 and concluding Friday evening, October 16, will feature both general and issue-specific sessions. Elected leaders and representatives of Chicago, Illinois, the United States, and the Government of Poland are expected to address the conference's Opening Session. Representatives and guests from Poland have been invited to join in selected sessions.
 
General sessions will examine the profile of the current Polish American community (often referred to as "Polonia"); leadership development; relations between the United States, the Polish American community and Poland; and the future of Polonia and its organizational challenges and opportunities.
 
Issue-specific sessions will address a range of topics, including: educational partnerships, teaching and learning; the role, importance and need for ethnic organizations; increasing political involvement and influence in the American political process; preservation and promotion of Polish culture and heritage in the United States; opportunities for participating in business between the United States and Poland; and networking in the community through sports, charities, and professional and social networks.
 
A reception and recital of the music of Chopin and Paderewski will conclude Thursday's sessions. A concluding reception on Friday will afford participants an opportunity to network and socialize. Displays of information about the Polish American community, organizations and contributions will be featured around the university's conference center.
 
Registration fee: $25, students $10
October 15 & 16, 2009
Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL

TENTATIVE AGENDA

Thursday, Oct. 15

9:00 am - 11:00 am
Opening General Session
 
Welcome: PAC
Greetings by:

• Mayor of Chicago
• Representatives of Illinois Govt.
• Representatives of Polish Govt.
• Elected Representatives

11:00 am 11:30 am

• Break

11:30 am - 1:00 pm

• General Session 2: Profile of Today's Polish American Community

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

• Lunch Break

2:15 pm - 3:45 pm

• Concurrent Issue Session A-1:
• Education Partnerships: Teaching and Learning
• Concurrent Issue Session A-2:
• Role, Importance and Need for Ethnic Organizations

4:00 pm - 5:30 pm

• General Session 3: Leadership Development

6:00 pm

• Piano Recital: Music of Chopin and Paderewski
• Reception

 
Friday, Oct. 16
9:00 am - 10:30 am

•   General Session 4:
• Polonia & Poland: ties between the two countries

10:45 am - 12:15 pm

• Concurrent Issue Session B-1:
• Political opportunities - getting involved
• Concurrent Issue Session B-2:
• Business Cooperation and Opportunities in the US and Poland

12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

• Lunch Break

1:45 pm - 3:00 pm

• Concurrent Issue Session C-1:
• Preservation of Polish Culture & Heritage in the US
• Concurrent Issue Session C-2:
• Networking in the Community (sports, charities,students & social networking websites)

3:15 pm - 4:45 pm

• General Session 5: The Future of Polonia -
• Organizational Challenges and Opportunities

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

• Concluding General Session: Summary

6:00 pm

• Reception

For more information please visit www.pac1944.org where you can contact organizers directly, make your reservation on line and inquire about hotel arrangements