what’s working
As Poland transformed to a market-based economy, cities
started forging relationships in America. Seattle and Gdynia
formed a sister city relationship in 1993 to promote educational,
cultural, trade and charitable exchanges.
Gdynia is a city of 250,000 along Poland’s northeast Baltic
coast. Like Seattle, it is a major port city and international
trade dependent.
The seaports in both Seattle and Gdynia developed at roughly
the same time — between 1900 and 1920. The City of Gdynia
was incorporated in 1921, making it one of Poland’s newest
cities. However, Gdynia under Nazi and Communist domination
did not enjoy the fruits of free trade, international economic
partnership or cultural exchange with the West.
polish business week
As the Seattle-Gdynia relationship developed, Polish students
came to Seattle and started attending Washington Business Week.
The program was so popular that in 2008, Gdynia Mayor Wojciech
Szczurek approached Washington Business Week leaders about
bringing the program to Poland and the city of Gdynia.
It launched in August 2009 and 97 Polish students graduated.
Gdynia’s mayor, then-U.S. Ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe
and European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek were all
featured speakers.
Poland Business Week was an instant hit. Sister Cities
International awarded the Seattle-Gdynia Sister City Association
its 2010 Innovations in Youth and Education Award for Gdynia
Business Week. The City of Seattle followed suit and awarded
Seattle-Gdynia Sister City Association with best single project
in 2010.
This year, Poland Business Week expanded to Gdansk and it
could fan out to other Polish cities in the years ahead.
strong suppor Ё