We do not forget. College of Vocational Training supports the celebration of Missing Children's Day

25 May is a date that reminds us that behind every statistic is a story - family, hope and waiting. On this day, the International Day of the Missing Child is celebrated worldwide. In Poland, it is symbolised by the forget-me-not, a delicate flower that says one thing: we do not forget. Every year, the police receive nearly 2,000 reports of missing children and young people. Although most cases end up happily found, some remain unexplained for years. That is why it is so important to talk about prevention, education and cooperation - not just once a year.

Support systems that operate 24/7

Since 2011, the ITAKA Foundation has operated a 24-hour hotline in cases of missing minors - on behalf of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration. Two helplines are currently available:

• Missing Child and Teen Phone (open 24 hours a day) - 116 000.
• Support Line for Missing Persons' Families - 22 654 70 70.

In the event of a suspected crime or imminent threat to a child's life, the following may be activated system Child Alert - a special mechanism for the immediate dissemination of messages in public spaces and the media. Speed of response is crucial here.

Blue light of hope

In a gesture of solidarity with the families of missing persons Warsaw will light up in blue. The Palace of Culture and Science, the Śląsko-Dąbrowski Bridge, the Police Headquarters and Warsaw Spire will be illuminated to symbolically draw attention to a topic that affects us all. Blue is the colour of hope - and it is this hope that the families of children who still have not returned home need.

Collaboration of science and practice. Activities of the College of Vocational Training

The College of Vocational Training has been actively involved in the subject of disappearances for years - not only through education, but also through research. The university's initiatives are creating special issue of the magazine "Law and Safety", entirely devoted to the legal and social aspects of the search for missing persons.

In studies related to criminology and homeland security, students learn about the real-world tools used in search operations. A particular contribution to the development of research into disappearances has been made by Dr Irena Malinowska, an expert and author of publications including "Missing Persons as a Contemporary Security Threat", which has been researching the topic of disappearances in Poland and Europe for years.

In May, the School had the honour of hosting the President of the ITAKA Foundation, Anna Jurkiewiczwho shared her practical knowledge and experience of working with missing persons and their families during her lectures.

Joint debate on systemic solutions

As early as 12 June 2025, Dr Irena Malinowska, representing the School of Vocational Training, take part in an international conference organised by the ITAKA Foundation and the Missing Children Europe Federation. The meeting will take place at the Ministry of the Interior and Administration in Warsaw at 5 Stefana Batorego Street.

The theme will be parental abductions, teenage runaways and effective prevention strategies. The conference will bring together experts from all over Europe and aims not only to exchange knowledge, but above all to find concrete solutions to real problems.

Guest lecture on contemporary challenges in criminology - Professor Ewa Guzik-Makaruk at the School of Vocational Training

On 24 May 2025 at the College of Vocational Training in Wrocław, at the Institute of Criminology and Internal Security, a unique lecture was held hospitable chaired by Prof. zw. dr hab. Ewa Guzik-Makaruk from the University of Białystok - a prominent specialist in criminal law and criminology.

Lectures on contemporary challenges in criminology and criminal law

During the meeting Professor E. Guzik-Makaruk gave two lectures, addressing current and relevant issues in contemporary criminology and criminal law:

• "Selected legal and criminological aspects of organ, tissue and cell transplantation in Poland" - this lecture focused on an analysis of transplantation regulations, ethical challenges and the dangers of illegal trade in biological material.
• "Patostreaming and patoinfluencing as contemporary challenges for criminal law and criminology" - the second part of the meeting dealt with phenomena occurring in the digital space that have serious social and legal consequences, including demoralisation, violence and the limits of freedom of expression on the Internet.

The lecture was intended for second-level students in criminology studies. The meeting was of great interest and was an important addition to the curriculum, combining academic knowledge with current practice issues.

Our sincere thanks to Professor for their inspiring speeches and to all participants for their active participation.

2nd WSKZ Conference: Trauma of floods, domestic violence and war - new challenges of psychological support

Already 22 and 23 May 2025 we invite you to Hotel Silesia Wrocław ul. Oporowska 60 for a unique meeting, organised by the Institute of Psychology of the Higher School of Vocational Education in Wrocław and the Pomeranian University in Starogard Gdański. The event will be an opportunity to listen to experts working with people affected by trauma, who will share their professional experiences. On 22 May, the conference will be held from 13:00 to 18:00, and on 23 May from 9:00 to 19:30.

Topics of the conference

Panels and speeches will discuss issues such as:

• the impact of flood and war trauma;
• crisis support and intervention;
• trauma psychotherapy.

How to effectively support people who have lost meaning, hope and plans for the future? These and many other questions will be answered by experts, presenting practical solutions and proven methods of support.

Why does psychology matter?

In today's world, full of unexpected and difficult situations, psychology plays a fundamental role in restoring emotional balance and building a new perspective for those who have experienced trauma. COVID-19 pandemic, war in neighbouring areas and local disasters, including floods, increasingly put people in situations where only professional psychological support can restore hope and meaning to their lives.

Don't miss the opportunity to participate in this unique event! The conference combines theory and practice, supports the development of professionals in the field of psychology and provides the opportunity to exchange experiences with experts.

Who is this conference for?

The event is aimed at:

• students and teachers;
• specialists working in the state aid system, including psychologists, educators, doctors, lawyers, psychotherapists and crisis intervention workers.

Join an event that is changing attitudes to psychological support and shaping new standards in the field!

FRAMEWORK SCHEDULE FOR THE CONFERENCE

Day one (workshop)

11:00:
- Dr Malgorzata Gocman - 'The use of connected breathing in coping with stress',

13:00 (parallel):

- Mirela Batog MA - "Being there when they need it most: A practical workshop on first contact with a person experiencing sexual violence",

- Adrianna Grabizna, PhD - 'Traumatic experiences and their effects on the central nervous system',

15:00 (parallel):

- Aleksandra Sosnowska, MA - 'Relaxation techniques in working with trauma',

- Magdalena Skotnicka Chaberek, MD, PhD - 'Pre-psychological first aid, psychological help for people after experiences and psychological therapy'.

Day two (conference)

9:00 - 9:10 - Opening of the conference and welcome to participants,

9:10 - 9:55 - Inaugural lecture: Prof. Dr. Nina Ogińska-Bulik - "Consequences of traumatic experiences of violence, flooding and war",

Thematic block I: Flood trauma

9:55 - 10:25 - Dr. Artur Ziolkowski, Prof. WSKZ - "Flood trauma - social and economic consequences, systemic solutions",

10:25 - 10:55 - Dr Magdalena Skotnicka Chaberek, M.D. - "Helping with your head - psychological support for people after experiencing natural disasters",

10:55 - 11:25 - Tymoteusz Czerhoniak, MA - "Unsinkable and Stitched - about trauma and psychological support for flood victims",

11:25 - 11:55 - Adrianna Grabizna, PhD - 'Trauma and the biological mechanisms of memory and non-memory',

11:55 - 12:25 - panel discussion,

12:25 - 13:25 - lunch break,

Thematic block II: Trauma of domestic violence

13:25 - 13:55 - Dorota Modrzyńska, MA - "Manifestations of trauma in children experiencing domestic violence and aspects of therapeutic work",

13:55 - 14:25 - Mirela Batog MA - "Silent violence, loud questions: Sexual violence in the home and relationships - how to ask about it so that it is not overlooked?",

14:25 - 14:55 - Anita Sumila, MD (online) - "Family scars in psychopathology,

14:55 - 15:25 - Justyna Kaczmarek, MA - 'The impact of traumatic experiences and domestic violence on academic achievement. Experiences of working with students in the UK',

15:25 - 15:55 - panel discussion,

15:55 - 16:25 - coffee break,

Thematic block II: Trauma of war

16:25 - 16:55 - Dr Artur Krzyżanowski, Marcin Tymoszuk, M.Sc. - "Psychotraumatology of the battlefield",

16:55 - 17:25 - Artur Krzyzanowski, PhD, Aneta Waścińska, MA - "The impact of combat missions abroad on well-being and interpersonal relationships in the family - a psychosocial perspective",

17:25 - 17:55 - Sebastian Chmielinski, M.A., Andżelika Tretiakova, M.A. - "I will call my son by your name, although you will never see him again - the experience of war trauma of Ukrainian citizens from a psychotraumatological perspective",

17:55 - 18:25 - Margaret Pacer MA - 'War, violence and religion: an analysis of the situation of families after the murder of 21 Copts in Libya by ISIS',

18:25 - 18:55 - Izabela Trybuś M.A. - "Working with war traumatised people - specifics of the work, challenges for professionals and the support system",

18:55 - 19:25 - panel discussion,

19:25 - 19:30 - closing of the conference: acknowledgements, presentation of certificates, summary.

The economics of motivation in uniform - new article under the affiliation of the School of Vocational Training

How to motivate soldiers effectively? The authors seek the answer to this question the latest scientific articlewhich has just been published by the Upper Silesian Academy Publishing House. The text, entitled. "The Importance of Economic Motivation Tools in Shaping the Attitudes of Uniformed Services Personnel Using the Example of the Army" was prepared by Ewa Chomać-Pierzecka from the Vocational Training College and Stefan Dyrka from the Wojciech Korfanty Upper Silesian Academy in Katowice.

Analysis of the incentive system in uniformed structures

Serving in structures focused on the implementation of security and defence activities requires specific competences - not only knowledge and skills, but above all commitment to the mission. This action largely depends on the level of personal motivation, which is shaped by the value system and support tools used by the organisation.

The specific nature of Armed Forces institutions shapes a unique model of organisational behaviourwhich determine the ability to perform the assigned functions. At the same time, this model determines the scope of competences to be need military services, posing specific challenges to the human resources management system.

The article therefore addresses a key issue in maintaining the organisational efficiency of the military in the modern state. The authors point to the role of the organisational culture of military formations and analyse in detail the impact of motivational tools - particularly economic ones - on the attitudes, commitment and identity of Polish Army soldiers.

The researchers attempted to assess motivational practices in the military based on the literature and the results of their own research. The aim of the study was to show how the motivational system affects the effectiveness and readiness of uniformed personnel - both individually and organisationally. We encourage you to readings:

New partnership with the Author's High School of Art - apprenticeships for future educators

We are pleased to announce that 22 May 2025 Author's High School of Art joins the ranks of schools in Lower Silesiawhich will accept future students of pedagogy as apprentices. The College of Vocational Training and Author's High School of Arts start a cooperation aimed at how to the best preparation of future educators to work with gifted young people. As Jacek Dukaj writes in his book-essay 'After Writing', published in 2019, it is art that may remain one of the last areas of authentic human expression.

The limits of resilience. Lecture by Col. Res. Dr. Samir Rawat on the psyche in the fire of extreme experiences

A unique open lecture will be held on 24 May 2025 (Saturday) at 2.15pm in Room 10 of the 5th High School. The talk entitled. "Self-Regulation in Dealing with PTSD and PTG". (Self-regulation in the context of coping with post-traumatic stress disorder and post-traumatic growth) will deliver Col. res. dr Samir Rawat - an eminent expert in military psychology, a veteran and an authority on mental toughness and leadership in extreme conditions.

An expert who knows what true resilience is

Res. Col. Dr Samir Rawat is a decorated Indian Army veteran who commanded an infantry company on the Siachen Glacier - the highest battlefield in the world. For his bravery during the Kargil conflict in 1999, he was honoured with the Presidential Medal for Valour.

He was the first psychologist ever to be referred to the prestigious National Defence Academy in India, where he spent years training future leaders of the armed forces. He holds a PhD in psychology and management, and has a graduate degree in defence and strategy, author of numerous publications and a respected speaker at international conferences. He also served as psychologist for the Indian national team at the Commonwealth Games.

Trauma, power, self-regulation - a story written by experience

During the lecture, participants will learn about the practical mechanisms of self-regulation, ways to build psychological resilience and approaches to trauma from an individual and organisational perspective.

It is a unique opportunity to meet a unique figurewhich combines scientific knowledge with real battlefield experience. You are cordially invited to attend the event!

A trace on the other side - a unique lecture on the search for missing persons and drowning victims

You are cordially invited to a lecture entitled "A trace on the other side - the role of the expert in the search for missing persons and drowning victims using the latest technology and forensic analysis".which will take place 17 May 2025 at 12.30 pm in the John Paul II Auditorium at the University of Life Sciences.

The event will be hosted by Mr. Maciej Rokus - the Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivode's representative for safety, head of the Polish Diving Special Group and an expert witness at the Regional Court in Katowice, specialising in trial experiments to determine the causes of drowning.

Expert knowledge, real-world experience and the latest technology

During the lecture, the speaker will present a modern approach to the topic of exploration missing persons and drowning victims - not only from a technical perspective, but also from a humanitarian one. The event will enable the audience to learn about practical use of technology and methods of criminal analysis in field operations and will identify the challenges faced by experts.

The scope of our guest's speciality is:

• waterway safety (drowning, watercraft accidents, water sports accidents);
• conducting surveys in water (searches using hydro-acoustic survey equipment and divers);
• search methods;
• carrying out searches for people or corpses in water areas and areas difficult to access.

You are cordially invited to attend in this extremely interesting event on behalf of the dean's team.

Students of the University of Vocational Training rocked the Wrocław Juvenalia!

9 May students The University of Vocational Training in Wrocław let themselves be swept up in the madness of the student festival in the Osobowickie Fields in Wrocław! It was loud, colourful and joyful - Music, dancing and a great atmosphere united students from different universities in a joint celebration.

The day was the perfect opportunity to catch your breath before the intense end of termrecharge their batteries and simply have fun. Our students have shown that they can not only work hard, but also enjoy student life to the full. Thank you to everyone who was with us - It was a day that will stay with us for a long time. See you at future events!

Science in the face of conflict - 5th International Scientific and Practical Conference "Health and Society in War"

Already on 16 May 2025, the 5th International Scientific and Practical Conference "Health and Society in War" will be held.. The event will be held in an online format and provides an important international forum for analysing social and health challenges in the context of armed conflict.

The conference is organised by the School of Vocational Training in Wrocław in cooperation with the Central Ukrainian Institute of Human Development at the Ukrainian University.

Purpose and scope of the event

The conference aims to provide an interdisciplinary analysis of the the impact of war situations on society and health. The discussion will cover medical, psychological, social and administrative issues, showing the the full spectrum of the consequences of armed conflict.

Participants and representation of the University

The event will be attended by researchers and practitioners from many countries, representing renowned academia and public health and social policy institutions.

Higher School of Vocational Training in Wrocław will be represented by:

• Dr Bartosz Blaszczak - Managing Director.
• Dr Irena Malinowska - Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences.
• Dr Justyna Jasińska-Rudzka - Associate Dean for Educational Quality.
• Dr Aneta Kazanecka - Vice Dean for Student Affairs.
• Dr Wojciech Kazanecki - Chair of the Stakeholder Council.
• Dr Marika Szymanska - Director of the Institute of Management and Quality Sciences.
• Dr Natalia Najgiebauer - Programme Director of the Law, Law in Business and Administration courses.
• Dr Mariusz Michalski - Assistant Professor at the Institute of Criminology and Homeland Security.

Post-conference publication

The conference will culminate in the joint publication of a scientific monograph, featuring articles by participants on the impact of armed conflict on different areas of societies.

The authors will undertake an interdisciplinary analysis of social, health and administrative issues, demonstrating the complexity of the challenges faced by individuals and institutions under conditions of war. This monograph will become an important contribution to the development of research on the impact of armed conflict and its long-term effects on public health and the social fabric.

You are cordially invited to attend in this significant scientific event!

From Lower Silesia to Europe - students of the Academy of Vocational Training at the International Job Fair

As early as 15 May 2025, students University College of Professional Education take part in the International Job Fair "With EURES to Europe!"which will take place between 09:30 and 14:00 at Tarczynski Arena Wrocław. This is the largest recruitment event in Lower Silesia, aimed at jobseekers planning their professional development or thinking about a career abroad.

More than 100 exhibitors and first-hand practical knowledge

More than 100 exhibitors from Poland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Estonia and Slovenia are expected to attend. The event will feature presentations on apprenticeship programmes, social security schemes, career development, and franchising.

This is an excellent opportunity to find out about career opportunities at home and abroad and speak directly to representatives of companies and institutions. Students of the College of Vocational Training -. You can't miss it! You are cordially invited to attend.