Member Article

World leader to address NE business

An influential world leader has chosen the North East as the venue for a solo talk in England next week. Lech Walesa, former President of Poland, is to speak to a gathering at Durham University on Thursday 8 May at the invitation of the the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC).

Mr Walesa co-founded the Soviet bloc’s first independent trade union, the Solidarity movement, that brought Poland out of communism. The Gdansk shipyard electrician’s push to improve the rights of his fellow countrymen won the backing of the Catholic Church and earned him an audience with Pope John Paul II. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983. Mr Walesa was elected the first democratic President of the Republic of Poland in December 1990, a post he held until November 1995.

NECC used its international ties with the British Polish Chamber of Commerce (BPCC) to secure the visit from the renowned leader.

Richard Bottomley, NECC president, said: “Poland is one of the fastest growing international economies and Lech Walesa is synonymous with its success. It is a remarkable achievement for NECC and the North East that he has chosen our region to do his sole talk in England. The growth of the North East economy in recent years, and the role that Polish workers have played in filling the skills gap, was critical in securing his presence here in the region.”

Kevin Rowan, regional secretary of Northern Trades Union Congress, said: “The North East today has got stronger ties with Poland than it has ever had. The region has gained much from Polish workers coming here and giving a significant boost to our economy, providing a dynamism and energy that has contributed to recent economic growth and facilitating a more subtle cultural shift as the north east becomes more internationally diverse. The visit of Lech Walesa is a great coup for the region and an opportunity for us to celebrate these exciting developments.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .