Protecting the image of public administration employees - a new publication by Dr Rafał Guzowski

Dr Rafal Guzowski, Programme Director of the Internal Security and Criminology course at the College of Vocational Training, has published an article entitled 'The importance of internal security and criminology'. Public servant's image in social media - principles of publication, limits to civil liberties and the right to protection of image in publishing SIM - Studies and Materials of the Marszalek Józef Piłsudski Central Military Library.

The purpose of the periodical SIM is to create an interdisciplinary research platform for those interested in contemporary problems of the military, its history, national defence, as well as library science and scientific information in the context of the military. The publication is an essential resource for experts in law, public administration and security science in the broadest sense.

Social media and the image of public administration employees

In this article, Dr Guzowski analyses the growing importance of social media in shaping the image of public administration employees. In the age of digitisation and the information society, public sector employees are increasingly becoming the subject of recordings and publications on the internet - often without their consent.

The author emphasises that while social media is a key channel of communication, it also carries the risk of misinformation and hectoring. We are increasingly seeing the phenomenon of officials recording interventions and publishing them online by citizen journalists. This practice raises questions about the limits of civil liberties and image protection.

When is it legal to publish an image?

Copyright law clearly sets out the rules for the publication of an image - as a general rule, its dissemination requires the consent of the person depicted. There are, however, exceptions, particularly in the case of well-known persons or those holding public office.

The article discusses cases in which the publication of an official's image may violate his or her rights, as well as situations in which it is lawful. The author also addresses the problem of abuse and the need to protect privacy in the context of official duties.

Labour Code and publication of image by the employer

In addition to the issues related to the publication of the image by third parties, the article also addresses the obligations of employers under the Labour Code.

Dr Guzowski emphasises that any publication of a photograph or recording of an employee by the employer requires the employee's explicit consent. In the context of public administration, where the image of civil servants often appears in the media, it is extremely important to follow procedures related to the processing of personal data.

Legal remedies in the event of an image violation

If a public employee considers that his or her image has been used unlawfully, he or she can avail himself or herself of several forms of legal protection, such as:

• a request to cease dissemination - the aggrieved person has the right to request the removal of photographs and recordings from websites;
• remedying the infringement - an undertaking by the publishing entity to make an official apology or correct the content;
• financial compensation - in some cases, the person whose image has been unlawfully used may claim monetary compensation.

RODO and the protection of the image of public administration employees

One of the key issues addressed in the publication is the impact of the RODO provisions on image protection.

In the context of European law the image can be treated as personal data and in some cases even as biometric dataif it enables a person to be unequivocally identified. This means that the unauthorised processing of an image - e.g. the publication of photographs of officials without their consent - can entail serious legal consequences.

Why should you be interested in reading this publication?

Dr Rafał Guzowski's publication is an important analysis of the contemporary challenges of protecting the image of public administration employees. In the age of the digital society, where anyone can become an object of recording and media debate, it is necessary to working out the balance between civil liberties and the protection of privacy and workers' rights.

Article in Studies and Materials of the Central Military Library sheds new light on the issue and provides valuable guidance for both public administration employees and their employers.

Conference "Contemporary challenges for children and young people" - welcome!

We are pleased to announce the cooperation of the Higher School of Vocational Education and the Polish Mediation Centre Wroclaw Branch in the organisation of the conference 'Contemporary Challenges for Children and Youth'. The event will take place 28 February 2025 at 9:00 w Silesia Hotel in Wroclaw. The conference is organised by Ewelina Kościukiewicz-Świerczewska, M.A., who is our employee and President of the Wrocław Branch of the Polish Mediation Centre.

The conference is aimed at to teachers, educators, psychologists, mediators, parents and all those involved in education and development of children and young people. Participation in the event is free of charge. Why take part?

The conference will address important topics related to the challenges faced by children and young people in today's world, including:

• adolescent mental health problems such as anxiety disorders, depression or eating disorders;
• Peer mediation as an effective method of relationship building and conflict resolution;
• school safety and counteracting hate speech;
• supporting children in family situations and in an environment of cultural diversity;
• adapting education to the individual needs of neurotypical pupils.

Registration

Registration for the conference opened on 7 January 2025. To reserve your place, please complete the registration form available at: https://konferencja-28-02-2025.grwebsite.pl/. 

Participation in the conference is free of charge, but places are limited and the order of registration is decisive! We invite you to participate and work together to better support children and young people in their daily challenges. Together we can change the future!

First meeting of the Centre for Disinformation and Cyber Security Research - a new initiative of the College of Vocational Training!

On 28 February 2025, an organisational meeting of the team working on the creation of the Centre for Disinformation and Cyber Security Studies (CBDiC), a new research and teaching unit at the College of Vocational Training in Wrocław. It will aim to conduct research on disinformation and develop education in the area of information threats and security in the digital space.

Participants included:

• Dr Irena Malinowska - Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences;
• MA Anna Piguła - WSKZ Associate Dean for Educational Quality;
• Przemysław Żabnicki, MA - Plenipotentiary of the Rector for relations with the social and economic environment;
• Dr Mariusz Michalski - adjunct professor at WSKZ;
• Marta Matuszewska - Coordinator of the WNS Dean's Office.

The event was also attended by researchers and practitioners specialising in disinformation, information threats and cyber security issueswho jointly agreed on the main lines of action.

Objectives and scope of the Centre's activities

The Centre for Disinformation and Cyber Security Research was established in response to the Increasing risks from information and digital manipulation. Its activities will focus on:

• development of educational programmes, which will take into account the latest disinformation threats and effective strategies to combat them;
• implementation of learning activities focused on information manipulation mechanisms, source verification methods and the role of digital security;
• organisation of scientific conferences and workshops dedicated to combating disinformation and enhancing cyber security competences;
• conducting research on modern information threats and publishing their results in specialised publications;
• raising public awareness on the impact of disinformation and digital threats on the functioning of modern societies.

New opportunities for students and the academic community

The activities of the Centre for Disinformation and Cyber Security Research will contribute to developing the competences of MCCU students in information analysis, strategic communication and digital threat identification. Our University will become a place where science meets practice and project participants will have the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience in the rapidly developing field of information security.

This initiative will not only strengthen the academic research facilities of our University, but will also create a opportunities to improve knowledge on protection against disinformation and cyber threatswhich is crucial in today's world.

Completed workshop - creating scented candles Scent the power!

On 22 February 2025, a workshop was held Scent of Power. The event was designed for women who wanted to combine creativity with confidence-building. Participants had the opportunity to develop their manual skills, discover the power of scents and boost their self-esteem in a friendly creative atmosphere.

Purpose of the workshop

The workshop combined handicraft techniques with exercises to support self-esteem. Through practical tasks and moments of reflection, the participants were able to learn more about their strengths and realise their own capabilities.

Main assumptions

• developing creativity through the creation of scented candles;
• improving manual skills;
• strengthening self-esteem and self-confidence;
• discovering individual talents;
• improvement of well-being and relaxation.

Course of the workshop

The workshop began with a welcome and discussion of the objective and agenda. The first part was devoted to the creation of scented candles - the participants learned about the technique of making them and selected the ingredients themselves.

The second part consisted of self-esteem-boosting exercises. Participants took part in tasks to help them see their strengths, build confidence and see themselves from the perspective of others. The workshop ended with a summary and presentation of the candles made.

End of workshop

At the end of the workshop, the proceedings were summarised, the candles made were presented and the participants had the opportunity to share your impressions. Workshop Scent of Power not only allowed participants to explore the secrets of scented candle making, but also provided an opportunity to boost confidence and find inspiration.

Dr Piotr Czyszkowski's new book - 'The Fourth Power? Between politics and economics".

In the 21st century, when information is an essential resource, questions arise about its quality and credibility. Where to look for reliable sources, can the media really be free and journalists independent? What role does television play in conveying information and shaping public opinion? Dr Piotr Czyszkowski, assistant professor at our University, tries to answer these and other questions in his latest monograph 'The Fourth Power? Between politics and economics'.

Who is Dr Piotr Czyszkowski?

Dr. Piotr Czyszkowski is an experienced journalist with 25 years of experience, assistant professor at the School of Vocational Training, specialising in media and communication. His knowledge and practical experience make him an expert in contemporary media analysis.

What is the book about?

His latest monograph 'The Fourth Power? Between Politics and Economics", published by ATUT Publishing House, is a in-depth analysis of the functioning of the media in the modern world. The author considers whether journalists can be truly independent, how economics and politics affect media coverage and the role of television in shaping public opinion.
This is a must-read for anyone interested in media, politics and the mechanisms by which information influences society. It certainly represents a valuable position not only for students, but also for anyone interested in the role of information in today's world.

International publication "Current Issues in National Legislation" - a new perspective on contemporary legal challenges

We are pleased to announce the publication of an international publication entitled. "Current problems of national legislation", which is the result of scientific cooperation between our University and academic partners from Ukraine. The monograph contains articles by authors from various scientific centres, including representatives of our University.

Contribution of researchers from our University

• Long-term effects of domestic violence - One of the articles included in the publication is the work of lecturers at our University: Dr Bartosz Blaszczak, Dr Irena Malinowska and Marta Pietrzykowska, M.Sc. entitled. "Long-term effects of domestic violence. A case study and therapeutic interventions'. The text examines in depth psychological consequences of domestic violence and presents effective therapeutic strategies, making it a valuable resource for mental health professionals.
• The role of leadership in crisis management - Another important contribution to the publication is the article by Agnieszka Śliwińska, MA, Anna Piguła and Przemysław Żabnicki, MA. entitled. 'Effective Crisis Management. The team leader and his/her role in interventions' who are also collaborating with the School of Professional Training. The authors analyse the key competencies of a leader in crisis situations and highlight the importance of effective team management in the intervention process.
• Importance of international scientific cooperation - The publication is an example of successful international scientific cooperation that strengthens the position of our University in the academic arena. The internationalisation of research allows the exchange of experience and broadening research perspectives, which contributes to the development of modern and interdisciplinary solutions.

We encourage you to read!

You are warmly invited to read the monograph and use it in your research and teaching work!

Students - welcome to the international congress of forensic science!

Are you interested in forensic science, forensic expertology and modern methods of fighting crime? Do you want to gain knowledge from eminent specialists and share your research with other students? Take part in the Student Scientific Conference "Forensic science and forensic expertology: current status and development perspectives", organised as part of the 21st International Congress "Forensic science and forensic expertology: science, studies, practice"!

Where and when? 

The conference will take place 18-19 September 2025 at the European Solidarity Centre in Gdansk.

The guest of honour at the conference will be Prof. Doctor Habilitated Doctor Honoris Causa multi Brunon Holyst - Consultant of the College of Vocational Training in Wrocław - outstanding expert in the field of forensic science, criminology and victimology. He gave lectures as visiting professor in many countries and is a member of numerous international scientific committees.

He has authored more than 1,250 publications, including 80 books and academic textbooks, which have been published in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, China, Germany, Ukraine, Russia and Nigeria, among others.

Brunon Holyst is a distinguished full professor, postdoctoral fellow and honorary doctor of the University of Bialystok and Nasarawa State University in Keffi. In recognition of his achievements, Keffi University awarded him the title of honorary professor and established the Institute of European Studies named after him. In addition, he is the founder of the Polish Society of Forensic Science, Honorary President of the Polish Society of Mental Hygiene and President of the Polish Society of Suicidology. 

Participation in the conference is free of charge! The organisers do not provide accommodation or transport.

Why take part?

• An opportunity to present the results of your own research and make scientific contacts.
• Meeting with authorities in the field of forensic science and forensic expertise.
• Publication of the article in a peer-reviewed post-conference monograph published by the ECS Scientific Publishing House.

Thematic scope of the conference

The detailed thematic scope covers in particular the following topics:

• Human Rights in the Context of Crime Prevention
• Academia, law enforcement, media and NGOs and their role in combating crime.
• The role and importance of NGOs in the development of forensic science.
• Perspectives on criminal profiling.
• Forensic science in the context of the uniformed services.
• The role of policy, theory and philosophy of forensic science in combating crime.
• Forensic Expertise – A Bridging Discipline between Criminalistics and Other Auxiliary Disciplines
• Contemporary Technologies and Artificial Intelligence in Criminalistics and Forensic Expertise
• Specifics of Investigative Activities in Combating Transnational Crime
• Visual examination, crime scene investigation and other investigative and detection activities. Problems, trends and perspectives.
• Complementarity of the Criminal Process, Criminalistics, and Forensic Medicine in Combating Crimes Against Life and Health

How to apply?

We are waiting for applications until 30 April 2025.! A completed application form, which you will find on the website: https://studia-wroclaw.pl/wydarzenia/kongres-kryminalistyki/ (attached) should be returned in response to the organisers' email, which can be found here:

• kongres@wskz.pl

The organisers will select topics on the basis of the submitted abstracts.

Additional information

To 15 May Qualified persons will be informed by e-mail.
Speaking time: maximum 15 minutes.

Organisers:

• European Solidarity Centre.
• Scientific Circle of Uniformed Services at the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń.
• Maritime Safety Study Circle of the Naval Academy Department of Maritime Command and Operations.
• Scientific Circle of Criminology and Forensic Science 'KryminologUS', University of Szczecin.

Don't miss the opportunity to participate in a prestigious scientific event! See you in Gdańsk!

Our lecturer nominated for the Pen of Hope award. Vote for him online!

We are proud to announce that Dr Kamil Stępniak, a lecturer at our University, has been nominated for the prestigious Pen of Hope award, granted by Amnesty International. This award goes to individuals and initiatives that, through their activities, contribute to the defence of human rights, raise public awareness and inspire action for a better world.

Who is the distinguished lecturer?

Dr Stępniak is a recognised expert in constitutional law and a doctor of social sciences. He serves as President of the Centre for Constitutional Law and Rule of Law Monitoring, lectures at the District Bar Council in Warsaw and publishes columns in the Dziennik Gazeta Prawna. However, this is only part of his achievements - he is also a member of the Polish Constitutional Law Society, a fellow of the University of Lucerne, and an active researcher in comparative legal systems analysis and modern participatory technologies.

Prestigious award for commitment to human rights

The Pen of Hope Award is one of the most important honours in the human rights activist and journalist community. It is awarded both by a specially appointed Jury and by public vote.

The Pen of Hope is an award given to individuals who, in the past year, have effectively publicised human rights issues through their media activities, making them an important topic in public debate and contributing to real change in this area. Dr Kamil Stępniak fulfils this mission by running a popular and highly substantive profile on Instagram @constitutionalist.

 Each of us can therefore support our lecturer by voting for him or her!

How to vote?

Voting continues until 24 February 2024, and you can cast your vote on the official Amnesty International website: https://www.amnesty.org.pl/pioro-nadziei-2024-glosowanie/. On the website you will also find more information about the award itself and the other nominees.

It's a great honour for our lecturer and a great source of pride for the entire academic community. We keep our fingers crossed and encourage everyone to vote!

Law in practice - join a workshop and develop your career!

The Institute of Law at the Higher School of Vocational Training cordially invites students to the second meeting of the workshop series 'With the Law on You, or Practically about the Law'. This is an excellent opportunity to acquire practical skills and knowledge necessary in professional life. The meeting is aimed at students of: Law, Law in Business and Administration.

Event details:

• Deadline: 13 February 2025 (Thursday);
• Hour: 17:00 – 18:30;
• Form: Online (Google Meet) - a link to the meeting will be provided to enrolled participants;
• Number of seats: 150;
• Leading the way: Dr Agnieszka Jaroszewicz - advocate, doctor of legal sciences, specialist in criminal law, international law and contract law.

The topic of the workshop "In-house lawyers in organisations. Alternative legal career paths, or how to become an in-house?"

The purpose of the meeting is to introduce the role of the in-house lawyer (in-house lawyer) in organisations and discuss the challenges, career path and opportunities for growth in this profession. The presenter will share her experiences gained from working in the gaming industry.

Scope of the workshop:

• The role of the in-house lawyer as an alternative career path;
• Requirements, career path and necessary qualifications;
• Key areas of in-house lawyer activity;
• The importance of business and specialisation in the work of a lawyer;
• Modern technologies and their impact on the profession;
• The advantages and challenges of working as an in-house lawyer;
• Job overview and recruitment tips;
• Preparation for the profession already at university;
• Recommended learning materials;
• Q&A session.

Enrolment takes place through online form. A link to the meeting will be sent to registered participants. This event is an excellent opportunity to learn about the practical aspects of the legal profession internal and gain valuable insights into career paths in this specialisation. You are cordially invited!

Changing education for the better! Find out about the decisions of the Education Quality Commission

On 10 February 2025, the next meeting of the Education Quality Committee of the College of Vocational Training in Wrocław took place. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss key issues concerning the improvement of educational standards at our University. Important decisions were made regarding:

• appointment of a Coordinator of Scientific Disciplines;
• introduction of rules and regulations for the Psychometric Tool Laboratory;
• establishing the rules of procedure of the Research Ethics Committee;
• conduct periodic evaluation of academic staff;
• optimising the graduation process in the College of Vocational Training.

Each of these themes aims to improve the quality of education and academic processes at the University.

Diploma process - new rules and improvements

One of the key points of the meeting was the formalisation of the graduation process. The new arrangements are intended to ensure that future diplomats are able to complete this stage more efficiently and more effective support from the Coordinators.

Periodic evaluation of academic staff - ensuring the highest level of teaching

In order to ensure that students as the best quality of education, our University will implement a system of periodic evaluation of academic staff. Such action will not only allow monitoring the quality of teachingbut also to support lecturers in their professional development. The university will enable them to participate in scientific conferences - both national and international - which will further develop the academic staff.

The Commission's new findings are an important step towards raising education standards and creating an even better learning and development environment for students.