The significance of the conference was underlined by the participation of Rotary International President Francesco Arezzo and his wife, the Mayor of Kraków Aleksander Miszalski, and the Rector of Vistula University, Prof. Wawrzyniec Konarski. Representatives of European Rotary districts were also present, including delegates from Poland, Lithuania, Germany, Ukraine, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Czech and Slovak district was represented by Past Governor Jiří Melecký and his wife, Governor-elect Ivana Lengová and her husband, and Governor-nominee Theodor Petřík.

The conference programme was divided into several thematic blocks. Discussions focused on issues of global security and peace, the importance of dialogue between nations, combating stereotypes, and the role of Rotary in building a tolerant and open society. Environmental protection, biodiversity and the preservation of natural resources also formed an important part of the programme. Presentations addressed topics such as the protection of the Baltic Sea, the role of zoological gardens in preserving biodiversity, and water as a fundamental source of life.

Considerable attention was also given to debates on the future and the role of new technologies. One presentation explored the application of Rotary’s famous “4-Way Test” in the age of artificial intelligence, while another highlighted the significance of symbols of peace, particularly the Rotary Peace Pole project, which today connects thousands of places around the world.

However, the conference was not solely an academic platform. The organisers also prepared a rich accompanying programme that allowed participants to experience the historical and cultural heritage of Kraków. The opening evening included a visit to the famous Wieliczka Salt Mine, together with a gala dinner held in the underground chambers of the mine. The following day featured a guided tour of Kraków’s historic city centre, St Mary’s Basilica, and a visit to the Royal Wawel Castle.

One of the greatest benefits of such international gatherings is the opportunity to establish personal connections between individual Rotary clubs and districts. It is precisely through these relationships that long-term cooperation between nations, regions and communities can develop. The conference in Kraków clearly demonstrated this principle — not only through joint discussions, but also through symbolic acts of international cooperation. One such example was the presentation and reaffirmation of a memorandum of cooperation between European districts, declaring shared support for peace, dialogue between nations, respect for the environment and the development of international understanding. Initiatives such as these demonstrate that Rotary can serve not only as a platform for friendship, but also as a practical instrument for building trust and cooperation across Europe and the wider world.

T. Petřík, DGN 2025–26