Report after the conference 'President of the Republic of Poland: Campaign, Elections, Political Position"

New technologies bring great potential for the democratisation of the electoral process, but also new challenges that are not yet fully recognised by the legislator. Internet voting, social media campaigns or the targeting of selected content to specific individuals are issues that need to be regulated, conference participants pointed out 'The President of the Republic: Campaign, Elections, Political Position'.

Our University co-organises the conference

The conference was organised by: Centre for Constitutional Law and Rule of Law Monitoring and University College of Professional Education in Wrocław. Experts - constitutionalists, political scientists and representatives of public life - discussed the role of the president in the Polish political system, the transparency of the election campaign, the impact of new technologies on elections and many other issues related to the competences of the head of state. The conference was held 13 May, moderated by Dr Kamil Stępniak, President of the Board of the Centre for Constitutional Law and Rule of Law Monitoring. The Law.pl service was a media patron of the event.

Protection of the presidential election - identification of the most important provisions and risks by an expert of the JCCC

Dr Damian Wąsik, an expert in criminal law from the Higher School of Vocational Training in Wrocław, discussed the criminal law protection of presidential elections. He cited historical examples of fraud from the interwar period, viz:

• bringing ballot papers to be consecrated in church;
• stamping bread with election slogans;
• satirical chants suggesting election rigging.

The speaker recalled that we have an entire chapter in the Criminal Code dedicated to offences against elections. This inter alia. articles relating to:

• falsification of electoral documents;
• giving false data in order to obtain the right to vote;
• violation of the secrecy of the vote;
• agitation offences, especially on voting day.

In addition to the Penal Code, there are also relevant provisions in:

• the Electoral Code, which provides for inter alia. liability for violating the silence of the electorate or conducting illegal canvassing;
• Act on referendums and certain special laws.

The speaker pointed out that the most serious electoral offences are falsification of voting results, pressure on voters, vote buying or obstruction of voting.

"A very worrying phenomenon is also the organisation of so-called electoral transports, i.e. the transportation of organised groups of voters by committees which, one could say, 'invest' in certain local communities - in order to force a certain electoral result. These practices, although sometimes difficult to prove, can bear the hallmarks of a violation of the principle of free and equal elections, he stressed. He pointed out that there are also situations involving violations of the secrecy of the vote - such as when a third party accompanies a voter to the booth or when a voter is instructed on how to vote."

"I would also like to mention media crimes, i.e. those involving canvassing conducted illegally - for example, during the electoral silence, or using misleading material, such as false information about candidates. We have had cases where manipulated material was published on the eve of the election to discourage people from voting for a particular candidate. And although formally it is sometimes difficult to attribute them to specific individuals, the disinformation effect remains," the speaker said.

Dr Damian Wąsik He also pointed out that all such cases violate citizens' trust in electoral institutions.

WSKZ lecturers at the Congress of Dual Training

15 May 2025 at the National Chamber of Commerce in Warsaw, jointly with the National Forum for Career Guidance, the Vocational Education Committee, the Congress of Dual Education was organised. The event was actively attended by Dr Irena MalinowskaProf. WSKZ - Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Prof. Janusz Soboń from the Institute of Management and Quality Sciences at the Vocational Training College in Wrocław. Their participation enriched the discussion on the future of dual education in Poland, highlighting the key role of cooperation between academia and the business sector.

Dual training - an investment in the future

The dual education system, combining schooling and apprenticeships, is the foundation for effectively preparing young people for the challenges of today's labour market.

Congress speakers

The invited experts included recognised specialists whose experience guaranteed the high level of the event:

• Ewa Flaszyńska - Director of the Labour Market Department, Ministry of the Family, Labour and Social Policy -Piotr Golębiowski - Coordinator of WorldSkills Poland, Foundation for the Development of the Education System;
• Krzysztof Symela - Director of the Research Centre for Vocational Education and Innovation Management, Łukasiewicz Research Network;
• Katarzyna Pawlak-Weiss - Director of the Lower Silesian Teacher Training Centre;
• Hubert Gęsiarz - Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Education Zone Ltd;
• Anna Wilińska - Head of the Office of the Guild of Miscellaneous Crafts in Włocławek.

Importance of dual training

🔹 Development of key competences - professional realism, entrepreneurship, aspiration development.

🔹 Partnership between education and business - the participation of public institutions, businesses and students in the learning process.

🔹 Effective matching of education and the labour market - upgrading of professional skills in line with current needs.

Promoting good practice

An important highlight of the Congress was the presentation of the "Angel of Dual Education" awardshonouring companies that set new standards in vocational education in the workplace. The event highlighted the important role of synergies between education and business in building a qualified workforce for the Polish economy.

Career guidance and the future of dual education

The Congress emphasised the need to develop systemic career guidance and effective information activities on education in the workplace. Cooperation between academia, public administration and entrepreneurs is a key element in preparing young people for the rapidly changing labour market.

Lecture by a legend of Polish forensic science at WSKZ

It is with great pleasure that we announce that on 17 May at 11:30 a.m. in the John Paul II Auditorium at Wrocław University of Life Sciences, a distinguished expert in forensic science and forensic psychology will be a guest of the Higher School of Vocational Education - the Prof. Dr. h.c. mult. Brunon Hołyst.

He will give an open lecture that is sure to be of interest to all lovers of law, psychology and criminology. Professor Bruno Holyst's lectures are renowned for their charisma, erudition and extraordinary ability to translate difficult content into a fascinating story
about man, society and crime.

Who is Professor Bruno Holyst?

Professor Brunon Hołyst is a legend of Polish criminology - lawyer, criminologist, suicidologist. Distinguished professor, doctor habilitated and doctor honoris causa University of Bialystok (2011) and Nasarawa State University in Keffi (Nigeria, 2023). Keffi University awarded him the title honorary professor and set up an Institute for European Studies his name. He is also a consultant University of Vocational Training in Wrocław.

He specialises in forensic science, criminology and victimology. He holds professorial positions in Academy of Applied Sciences in Warsaw and on University of Siedlceand honorary professor University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn.

He is the initiator and founder of Polish Forensic Association, Honorary President of the Polish Society of Mental Hygiene and President of the Polish Suicidological Society. He serves on numerous international scientific committees and has lectured as a visiting professor in many countries, discussing suicidology, victimology
and criminology.

He is the author of more than 1250 publications, including 80 books and academic textbooks, which have been published, among others, in USA, Canada, UK, Japan, China, Germany, Ukraine, Russia and Nigeria. He is a respected expert not only in the world of academia, but also in the legal and law enforcement practice communities. WSKZ students and lecturers are cordially invited to attend.

Summary of the National Academic Conference on the Presidency of the Republic of Poland - an interdisciplinary look at elections and the political system

13 May an All-Poland Academic Conference devoted to the institution of the President of the Republic of Poland was held. The event brought together a wide range of experts - from constitutionalists to political scientists and public life practitioners - who jointly discussed the subject of presidential elections, election campaigns and the systemic role of the head of state. The conference was organised by Centre for Constitutional Law and Rule of Law Monitoring in cooperation with College of Advanced Vocational Training in Wrocław, and was moderated by Dr Kamil Stępniak, President of the Centre.

The meeting provided an important space for the exchange of views and interdisciplinary reflection on the current and future shape of the presidency in Poland. Changes in law, technology and society that affect the functioning of the presidential office and the transparency of electoral processes were discussed.

Law.co.uk has published an article on the conference we are organising, which addresses, among other things, the legal regulation of the use of AI and deep fakes in election campaigns: see material.

Experts and speaking topics - the voice of the speakers on modern challenges of the presidency

Recognised specialists representing various fields of knowledge spoke at the conference:

• Anna Bigaj from the University of Gdansk, focused on the role of new technologies in ensuring the transparency and legitimacy of presidential campaigns. She drew attention to the limited use of tools such as e-ID or trusted profile in the context of elections, pointing to the need to build public trust and advanced safeguards. She also touched on the controversy surrounding online voting (iVoting), which still raises many doubts in Poland.
• Karolina Wilamowska, a lawyer and mediator, presented the impact of artificial intelligence on election campaigns. She pointed out serious risks such as microtargeting, deepfakes, fake accounts and bots amplifying political messages. She emphasised that AI enables the creation of real-time messages, which, on the one hand, increases the effectiveness of communication and, on the other, raises the risk of manipulating public opinion.
• Dr Damian Wąsik from the Higher School of Vocational Training in Wrocław, presented the subject of the criminal law protection of presidential elections. He presented historical examples of fraud from the period of the Second Republic, emphasising how important it is to counteract all attempts to influence the integrity of the electoral process, regardless of the era.
• Dr Malgorzata Andrzejczak-Swiątek from the Police Academy in Szczytno discussed the international context of election monitoring, citing the OSCE ODiHR report on the 2020 presidential election in Poland. She highlighted the role of international institutions in assessing democratic standards and the rule of law.

Acknowledgements and closing thoughts

We would like to thank all the speakers, participants and those involved in the organisation of the conference for creating a space for robust, substantive discussion. The event should undoubtedly be regarded as successful - both in terms of attendance and the level of the papers delivered. We believe that the topics raised will inspire further research and initiatives devoted to the development of the democratic system in Poland.

Psychology in prison isolation - report of an online workshop

13 May 2025 another specialised workshop organised by the Institute of Psychology of the University of Vocational Training. The online meeting, led by Dr Marta Jastrzębska, a retired Prison Service officer and experienced penitentiary psychologist, brought together 25 second and third semester psychology students.

Psychological opinions in prison - theory and practice

During the two-hour workshop, participants had the opportunity to learn about the behind-the-scenes work of a psychologist in penitentiary units, with particular emphasis on the process of providing opinions. The presenter discussed issues related to the provision of psychological assistance in prison isolation, the construction of psychological opinions and psychological-penitentiary judgements on the basis of the applicable regulations.

Among the topics discussed were:

• examples of opinions and judgements created by prison psychologists;
• the rules for referring convicted prisoners to the Diagnostic Centre;
• structure of a professional opinion - from purpose and methods to conclusions and recommendations.

Valuable knowledge and practical perspective

The workshop enabled students to gain specific knowledge about the competences of a psychologist in working with people deprived of their liberty. The meeting allowed for a better understanding of the role of psychological opinion in the context of the criminal executive law and brought the reality of working in prisons and detention centres closer.

An added value of the event was the announcement of a field trip to the Detention Centre, which will take place on an agreed date - providing a practical complement to the knowledge gained during the workshop.

Learn about the function of the head of state from A to Z at the National Academic Conference "The President of the Republic of Poland: campaigning, elections, political position"

Is the presidency merely a representative office or a key element of the balance of power in Poland? The institution of the President of the Republic of Poland has intrigued and stirred emotions for years - both in public debate and among scholars of the political system. Soon, students of our University, doctoral students, lecturers and representatives of the legal community will have the opportunity to take a closer look at the institution during the National Academic Conference 'The President of the Republic of Poland: campaigning, elections, political position'. This is a unique space for discussion with constitutionalists, political scientists and public life experts.

The President of the Republic of Poland under the magnifying glass - a detailed analysis of the functions of the head of state

The National Scientific Conference, organised by our University together with the Centre for Constitutional Law and Rule of Law Monitoring, will take place 13 May 2025 at 10:00 am online.

The theme will be an in-depth reflection on the function of the President of the Republic of Poland - from the electoral process, to campaign strategies, to the constitutional positioning of the office. The meeting will bring together constitutionalists, political scientists and public life experts to look at the evolution of the presidency and the current challenges facing the head of state. 

The focus will also be on the impact of the president's relations with other authorities on the functioning of the state and the political balance. The variety of research approaches and perspectives will enable a comprehensive assessment of the role of this office in the system of the Republic. 

One of the speakers will be Prof. Dr. Krystian Complak - Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Wrocław, Vice-President of the Polish Constitutional Law Association (PTPK), Member of the Scientific Council of the International Academy of Constitutional Law in Tunis (Tunisia). Author of numerous scientific publications in the field of constitutional law.

At the heart of the debate - key election issues

The National Scientific Conference will address the following topics topics of importance for the functioning of the state. Participants at the event will have the opportunity to look at the following topics, among others:

• Presidential campaign financing - transparency, spending limits, legality of so-called pre-campaigns.
• The role of media and new technologies in presidential campaigns - the challenges of disinformation used to achieve political objectives.
• The principle of the universality of presidential elections and the real accessibility of voting participation - an analysis of statutory solutions.
• Electronic voting in presidential elections (i-voting) - an opportunity for modernisation or a threat to the integrity of elections?
• Mode of electoral dispute resolution in presidential elections - the role of the Supreme Court and its legitimacy.
• Presidential prerogatives.

From the veto to the military - the practical dimension of the presidency

The conference will also provide an opportunity for an in-depth analysis of the constitutional role of the President of the Republic of Poland. Experts will delve into issues concerning his influence on national and international politics, as well as the the evolution of the presidential model in Poland. The meeting will address issues such as:

• The President's role in foreign policy - limits of competence and relationship with the government.
• The so-called presidential veto and its significance for the dual executive model.
• The role of the President as head of the armed forces - competences and real significance in national defence policy.
• The concept of active presidency vs. ceremonial presidency - an analysis of recent presidential practice.
• A non-partisan president in the political system - myth or necessity for systemic balance?

Detailed conference programme and speakers

The conference programme will allow participants to immerse themselves in an interdisciplinary debate, covering both the legal and political aspects as well as the technological or communication challenges of the presidency. A detailed schedule of speeches will open up space for reflection on the real meaning of the office of the President of the Republic of Poland in a changing world.

The conference will be inaugurated by:

• Dr Kamil Stępniak - President of the Centre for Constitutional Law and Rule of Law Monitoring;
• Dr Andrzej Chajbowicz - Director of the Institute of Law at the College of Professional Training.

Expert panel: The presidency and democracy: challenges and models in comparative and forward-looking perspectives

• 10:15-10:35 - Prof. Dr. Krystian Complak (WSKZ): The constitutional position of the president in Poland and selected Latin American countries - a comparative analysis of presidential models;
• 10:35-10:55 - Dr Małgorzata Andrzejczak-Świątek (Police Academy in Szczytno): The role of the OSCE in the context of monitoring free elections;
• 10:55-11:15 - Jakub Kocjan MA (Democracy Action / INP PAN): President vis-à-vis the judiciary and vice versa;
• 11:15-11:35 - Anna Bigaj, MA (University of Gdańsk): The impact of new technologies on the transparency and legitimacy of presidential campaigns;
• 11:35-11:55 - Karolina Wilamowska (University of Gdańsk): Artificial intelligence at the service of democracy or its threat?
• 11:55-12:15 - Discussion;
• 12:15-12:30 - Pause.

Panel I: The struggle for office. The presidential campaign in the light of law, media and political practice

• 12:30-12:45 - Dr Damian Wąsik, Dr Natalia Wąsik (WSKZ): Criminal law protection of presidential elections in Poland;
• 12:45-13:00 - Cyprian Mrzygłód (UG): Problems of debates organised by the election committee of a candidate for the office of President of the Republic of Poland;
• 13:00-13:15 - Magdalena Szypulska (UW): New challenges for justice and social media;
• 13:15-13:30 - Tomasz Jagielski, MA (UO, Doctoral School): The fight for the presidency from the perspective of political groups;
• 13:30-13:45 - Damian Olender (UWM): Social media and the constitutional limits of the President's public activity;
• 13:45-13:55 - Discussion;
• 13:55-14:00 - Pause.

Panel II: The President of the Republic in the constitutional system - between symbol and real power

• 14:00-14:15 - Jan Brzuchalski (UW): Ability to challenge acts issued by the President;
• 14:15-14:30 - Katarzyna Uściłko, Natalia Ozimek (UwB): Mobilisation of the armed forces by the President of the Republic in an emergency situation;
• 14:30-14:45 - Paweł Piszczek (UEK): The president as player, arbiter or statistician?
• 14:45-15:00 - Jakub Drozd (URz): Theory and practice of the legislative veto;
• 15:00-15:15 - Dorota Antczak (UO): The role of the President of the Republic in states of emergency;
• 15:15-15:30 - Weronika Klecha (UMCS): The role of the President in international relations;
• 15:30-15:45 - Aleksandra Trachta, MA (UJDCz): Presidential prerogatives and the legal position of citizens;
• 15:45-16:00 - Dominik Rot (KUL, Centre for Constitutional Law): The right of clemency and the limits of the Presidential prerogative;
• 16:00-16:10 - Discussion;
• 16:10 - Closing of the conference.

Take part in the conference

If you would like to be actively involved in the National Scientific Conference, simply send an abstract (200-300 words) to: konferencja@cpkimp.pl - the deadline for submitting applications is 4 May 2025. Active participation is free and concluded with the issue of certificate. Want to listen to the experts? Submit a passive participation - it's easy, just click!

Do you have any questions? Write to: konferencja@cpkimp.pl.

Meeting of the Education Quality Commission - improving the quality of education and streamlining teaching processes

On 9 May 2025, the Education Quality Committee met to discuss a number of issues relating to improving the quality of education and streamlining the University's teaching and organisational processes.

Following the approval of the agenda and the adoption of the minutes of the previous meeting, the members of the Commission reviewed the draft regulations and procedures re: support for students with disabilities, transfer, recognition and completion of ECTS credits, the functioning of the Programme Boards and the Student Council.

A schedule of hospitalizations was also presented and gave its opinion on study programmes and diploma examination questions. Proposals to increase the supervision of Programme Directors over teaching activities and the availability of academic staff were also discussed. The meeting was held in an atmosphere of substantive discussion and the topics discussed were well attended by Commission Members.

Online workshop "Psychologist in the Prison Service" - coverage of the event

On 6 May 2025, second and third semester psychology students had the opportunity to take part in a unique workshop organised by the Institute of Psychology at the College of Professional Training. The meeting, conducted in an online format, was led by Dr Marta Jastrzębska, a retired Prison Service officer, who shared her knowledge and experience of working as a penitentiary psychologist.

Practice and theory - two worlds of work in penitentiary units

The workshop entitled "Psychologist in the Prison Service (official pragmatics)". lasted two hours - from 18:00 to 20:00 - and attracted a group of 25 students interested in the specifics of working in prisons and detention centres. During the meeting, participants learnt about the key provisions of the Criminal Executive Law and other regulations concerning the role of a psychologist in penitentiary units.

The workshop addressed the following issues, among others:

• The legal basis of the work of the penitentiary psychologist;
• classification of prisons and typology of the prison population;
• The impact of prison isolation on the mental state - as a total and deprivational situation.

Real-life challenges and competences of the penitentiary psychologist

The workshop aimed to make participants aware of the realities of a psychologist's work in a closed environment. Dr Jastrzębska discussed not only the formal aspects of the profession, but also pointed out the practical skills that are required on a daily basis in a penitentiary department or diagnostic centre. Students learnt what qualities and attitudes are key to performing this role effectively and ethically.

Thanks to the professionalism of the presenter and the opportunity to ask questions, participants were able to better understand the challenges faced by a psychologist working in the Prison Service units. This event not only broadened the horizons of the young psychology students, but also encouraged them to further explore this demanding but much-needed professional path.

Contest for a gloss on the Constitutional Court's ruling - take up the challenge and speak out on freedom of speech!

Are you a student at WSKZ and interested in constitutional law, human rights or freedom of expression? Do you want to gain new skills and train your scientific and legal skills? Stand out! Take part in the glosses competition and tackle one of the most controversial rulings of recent years!

Gloss topic:

Constitutional Court judgment of 6 October 2015, ref. SK 54/13 - the case of singer Doda and the limits of freedom of expression in the context of offence to religious feelings.

You can find the verdict to the gloss on the website: Case SK 54/13

Your task is to prepare a gloss - that is, a short, analytical form of commentary on the judgment. Show how you understand the constitution, freedom of speech and the limits of expression!

Deadline for submission of works: until 5 May 2025.

Address for submissions: glosa@wskz.pl

To win: prizes and publication of the best works on the university website!

Glos will be assessed by a professional jury.

The text must be no more than 20,000 characters with spaces. Glossary should be formatted in the following way: font Times New Roman - 12 p., leading 1.5, margins on both sides: 2.5 cm. Footnotes: font Times New Roman - 10 pt., interline 1.0. Bibliography divided into legal sources, case law, literature, Internet sources.

Detailed editorial requirements and competition rules can be found in the competition regulations.

Don't miss this opportunity to shine with your knowledge and argumentation! It's not just a competition - it's a chance to make a name for yourself as a young, critical-thinking lawyer!

The International Scientific and Practical Conference organised by our University took place on 29 April.

In an era of increasing digitalisation and global technological challenges, international cooperation is a key foundation for the development of education and research. University of Vocational Training in Wrocław (Poland) and Vasyl Sukhomlynski Department of ICT and Safe Learning Environment KPI (Ukraine) launched a joint initiative to organise International Scientific and Practical Conferencewhich took place on 29 April 2025 in an online format using the ZOOM platform.

Aim of the conference

The conference was designed as a space to integrate researchers, experts, educators and technology practitioners, enabling the exchange of knowledge and experience in the digital transformation of education. The event aimed to:

• An analysis of the key challenges arising from digitisation processes in education.
• Promoting innovative technological solutions to support teaching.
• Exchange of international experiences on the adaptation of educational systems to modern technological requirements.

Thematic areas of the conference

The conference covered the following topics:

1. The European experience of digital transformation of education.
2. Development of digital competences of educational participants.
3. Psychological, pedagogical and methodological aspects of the use of information technology in education.
4. Artificial intelligence systems and technologies in educational activities.
5. Safe learning environments in the context of digital transformation.
6. Universal learning process design in the digital age.
7. Legal aspects of the digitisation of education.
8. Ethical, social and psychological consequences of the digital transformation of education.

Organisers and international scientific committee

The joint initiative to organise the conference stems from the dynamic cooperation between the University of Vocational Training in Wrocław and Vasyl Sukhomlynsky KPI. This partnership is an example of effective international action for science and development.

Importance of international cooperation

The partnership between Poland and Ukraine strengthens scientific exchange and the development of joint research projects in education. Cooperation between the two institutions contributes to the promotion of innovative educational standards and global solutions for digital transformation.