Missing children in Europe: shared responsibility and systemic action

On 12 June 2025, an international conference was held pt. Missing persons under 18 in Europe. Challenges, prevention and systemic solutions in the context of parental kidnapping and teenage runaways. The event was organised by ITAKA Foundation - Centre for Missing Persons and federation Missing Children Europe in cooperation with Ministry of the Interior and Administration.

The College of Vocational Training and services and organisations facing a common challenge

The conference was attended by representatives of the College of Vocational Training inter alia, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences Dr Irena Malinowska and Director of the Institute of Criminology and Homeland Security Dr. Janusz Bryk. Also present were Deputy Minister for Internal Affairs and Administration Czesław Mroczek. At the opening, he stressed that the phenomenon of missing children and adolescents - especially runaways and parental abductions - is an increasingly serious challenge for European countries.

- We need to strengthen and develop even more effective cooperation mechanisms in Europe to react faster and better protect the youngest," he pointed out.

The event was also attended by representatives of national and international institutions, services and non-governmental organisations involved in the search for missing persons.

Thematic panels and conference objectives

The conference included three thematic panels dedicated to parental abductions, missing children in the context of the war in Ukraine and migration and teenage runaways.

It also discussed psychological and legal aspects of disappearances and an analysis of the actions of the services and NGOs. A key objective of the event was to develop common standards for action in Europe and to share good practice.

Parental kidnapping needs better legal cooperation in Europe

Parental abductions remain one of the most difficult legal and emotional challenges in missing children cases. In 2024, 1,338 such cases were reported in Europe, which was nearly 18.5 per cent. of all cases handled by European hotlines. The scale of parental abductions is increasing. Differing legal procedures in EU countries lengthen the process of returning a child home.

- We need uniform, harmonised procedures and real cooperation between countries to act effectively in such situations," stressed Deputy Minister Czesław Mroczek.

The deputy head of the Interior Ministry added that the disappearance of the child is a one of the most traumatic experiences for families - regardless of the child's social status, place of residence or age.

- That is why it is so important that we jointly evaluated existing procedures and searched for new tools. Such as will allow for faster and more effective exploration," said Czesław Mroczek.

Teenage runaways are an alarming sign of crisis

Another theme of the conference was teenage runaways. According to 116,000 as much as 66 per cent. of all missing children in Europe are runaways from homes or institutions care. In Poland, 1,413 such cases were reported in 2024 among people in 14-17 years old. A child running away is always a dramatic sign of a crisis in their environment - family, school or peers.

- It is our duty to create such a systemwhich will make it possible to catch these signals earlier and support young people accordingly," the deputy head of the Interior Ministry pointed out.

Polish police modernise search procedures

He spoke about the police's efforts to find missing children Superintendent Tomasz Michułka, Deputy Chief Constable of the Police.

- Every disappearance of a minor is a case that requires a great deal of attention and empathy from officers. I am pleased that in recent months Child Alert procedure proved effective again. However, by analysing each of its launches, we see room for further improvement," said Superintendent Tomasz Michułka.

He added that In the police, the final stage of work on the amendment is underway of the Regulations of the Police Chief Commandant on the conduct of searches for missing persons. The changes are intended to simplify the classification of searches and introduce more precise rules for triggering procedures in the case of missing children.

Common European recommendations

Anna Jurkiewicz, CEO of the ITAKA Foundation, pointed out that the conference has a mainly practical dimension, and not just analytical. She expressed the hope that the event would be followed by a concrete set of recommendations for institutions at national and European level. The conference was unique in that took place in the final weeks of the Polish Presidency of the EU Council. Deputy Minister Czeslaw Mroczek emphasised that Poland wants to be an active participant and initiator of European cooperation on child protection.

Psychology students on a field trip to the Detention Centre in Wrocław

Second and third semester psychology students had the opportunity to participate in an unusual practical lesson - a two-hour field trip to the Detention Centre in Wrocław. It was a unique opportunity to see with their own eyes what the work of a penitentiary psychologist looks like in real conditions. The meeting was led by experienced Dr Marta Jastrzębska, who shared her knowledge and experience in this specific field.

The culmination of an online workshop

The organised field trip was the culmination of a workshop through which students were introduced to the behind-the-scenes work of a penitentiary psychologist, learning about the challenges involved in working with people deprived of their liberty. The class was an opportunity to learn about the process of providing opinions and psychological support in a prison setting. Thanks to the field trip, the students had a great opportunity to learn the theoretical aspects in practice, observing the work of a penitentiary psychologist in the Wrocław Detention Centre.

We wrote more about the workshop in this article.

Online Scientific Conference "Domestic Violence in Poland. Between theory and practice" - 13 June 2025.

The Institute of Homeland Security and Criminology of the College of Vocational Training invites you to participate in a national scientific conference on the phenomenon of domestic violence. The event will take place in an online format on 13 June 2025. The conference provides a space for interdisciplinary exchange of knowledge, reflections and experiences between the world of science and practitioners working to prevent violence.

The aim of the conference is to analyse the issue of domestic violence from three perspectives: legal, criminological and practical. The organisers want to pay particular attention to the existing regulations, the effectiveness of protective procedures and the functioning of support systems. An important element of the event will also be the identification of legal gaps and institutional barriers that affect the effectiveness of actions taken against perpetrators and victims of domestic violence.

What topics will be covered at the meeting?

The event is aimed at representatives of academia, uniformed services officers, judicial staff, psychologists, educators, social workers, members of non-governmental organisations and all those interested in this topic. Participation in the conference is free of charge and each passive participant will receive a personal certificate of participation.

The event will consist of three thematic panels:

Panel I: Practice and institutional support:

• Social support system.
• Local interventions.
• Institutional cooperation.

Panel II: Criminology and data:

• Statistics and scale of the phenomenon.
• The role of law enforcement.
• Enforcement of protective measures.

Panel III: Scientific and legislative perspective:

• Regulatory analysis.
• Effectiveness of legal systems.
• The legislative gap and the need for change.

Didactic dimension of the conference

The conference also has a didactic dimension. Its aim is to inter alia. to disseminate knowledge on procedures related to counteracting violence, to develop the professional competences of participants and to shape their ability to evaluate the effectiveness of legal and institutional actions. The organisers also emphasise the development of interdisciplinary cooperation, enabling contacts to be made between representatives of the various professions and institutions involved in assistance activities.

The notification schedule is as follows:

• until 30.04 - submission of abstracts (active notification form).
• 15.05 - announcement of the conference programme with open access to the platform.
• until 10.06 - to apply for passive participation in the conference via the form available at here (passive application form).
• until 10.06 submission of conference papers and presentations.
• 13.06.2025 – Conference: "Domestic violence in Poland. Between theory and practice'.
• until 28.08 a post-conference publication in a book edition.

We encourage you to visit the website regularly conferenceawroclaw.plwhere all the most important news and answers to frequently asked questions will be published. This is the best source of organisational information - thanks to it, every participant will be up-to-date and properly prepared for the event.

The conference website will be regularly updated. Details of the programme, list of speakers, start times of individual panels, accompanying events, as well as technical and logistical issues will gradually appear there.

Strategic directions of development - meeting of the University authorities with academic staff of the Faculty of Social Sciences

Day 10 June 2025 at 16:00 on the platform Google Meet a three-hour meeting between the University's authorities and representatives of the academic staff of the Faculty of Social Sciences was held, attended by around 120 people. The event was of crucial importance for the future of the Faculty, providing not only a forum for the exchange of ideas but, above all, an opportunity to jointly define the strategic development directions - both in the areas of teaching and research activities.

Highlights of the meeting

During the discussion, key issues affecting the development of the Faculty were discussed:

• Modernisation of the teaching offeradapted to the changing needs of the labour market.
• Strengthening student activities, through the development of mentoring and scholarship programmes.
• Expanding international cooperation, enabling participation in global research projects.
• Use of modern technology, supporting innovative teaching and research methods.

Participants and speakers

The meeting started Managing Director, Dr Bartosz Blaszczak, who discussed organisational matters and the aims of the debate. The following spoke next Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Dr Irena Malinowska - continued the meeting, emphasising its unique nature as a space for sharing experiences, reflecting on the common academic mission and setting new directions for the university. In her speech, she also stressed the importance of the university's internationalisation, pointing to the active activities of the Centre for International Cooperation and the anticipation of the European Commission's decision on the Erasmus Charter, which will enable further cooperation with prestigious scientific centres around the world.

She also pointed out that the development of the university is based on scientific and publishing activities, encouraging the meeting participants to actively participate in conferences, workshops and the publication of articles in the university's journals.

At the end of the speech, the Dean thanked everyone for their contribution to the academic and scientific development of the University, emphasising that the commitment of the academic community is the foundation for the future of the Faculty. Later in the meeting, the following spoke:

• Acting Dean for Educational Quality, Dr Justyna Jasińska-Rudzka - study directions and teaching objectives;
• Vice-Dean for Student Affairs, Dr Aneta Kazanecka - perspectives on the development of student activities and academic support;
• Dean's Plenipotentiary for Cooperation with the Social and Economic Environment, Dr Wojciech Kazanecki - cooperation initiatives with the business sector and social organisations;
• Vice-Chancellor for Science and Development - development of scientific staff and raising research standards;
• Vice-Chancellor for International Relations - the internationalisation of the University and the development of foreign cooperation.

Development directions of the Institutes

During the meeting directors of scientific institutes presented their visions and development plans in key areas:

• Institute of Criminology and Homeland Security - Dr Janusz Bryk discussed strategies to strengthen crime research and modern methods of providing security.
• Law Institute - Dr Andrzej Chajbowicz presented plans to expand cooperation with legal institutions and innovative training courses.
• Institute of Psychology - Professor Artur Ziolkowski presented new areas of research in social and clinical psychology.
• Institute of Administration and Political Science - Dr Jan Znajdek discussed the development of public management studies and international politics.
• Institute of Management and Quality Sciences - Dr Marika Szymanska pointed to innovative approaches to managing organisations and improving service quality.
• Institute for Media and Social Communication - Professor Aleksander Woźny presented research directions on digital media and communication in the technological age.

Action on social responsibility and equality

The meeting also discussed relevant initiatives:

• Equality and anti-discrimination measures - The Rector's Plenipotentiary for Equal Treatment, Małgorzata Piórkowska, presented programmes supporting equal opportunities policies.
• Initiatives for people with disabilities - The Rector's Plenipotentiary for Persons with Disabilities, Dr Damian Wąsik, presented solutions to facilitate access to education.
• Organisational matters in the Office of the Dean - The Director of the Dean's Office, Magdalena Nogga, presented the current administrative announcements.

Summary and conclusions

The meeting was key moment in determining strategic orientations for the development of the Facultyand its participants unanimously stressed the need for further cooperation at academic and scientific level. The University authorities committed to:

• Research development, through increased funding and participation in international projects.
• Strengthening internationalisation, through academic exchange programmes and cooperation with foreign institutions.
• Increasing support for students, through new mentoring and scholarship initiatives.

We would like to thank all participants for their engagement, valuable discussions and inspiring ideas. Together we are building the future of the Faculty and the University as a wholemeeting the challenges of modern science and education!

National International Scientific Conference "Communication and Security in Crisis, Border and Difficult Situations"

On days 5-6 June 2025 the International Scientific Conference on Communication in Crisis and Border Situations was held in Wrocław. The event was organised by Institute of Media and Social Communication of the University of Vocational Training chaired by Prof. Aleksander Woźnyand the conference became a space for interdisciplinary exchanges, reflections and analyses of the mechanisms of conformity, socio-cultural barriers to otherness and the challenges of the aid professions in the face of extreme situations such as armed conflicts, natural disasters or epidemics.

Welcome and opening of the conference

The conference was officially opened on behalf of the University authorities by Dr Irena Malinowska, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the College of Vocational Training in Wrocław, emphasised the importance of interdisciplinary dialogue and the need to jointly seek effective solutions for communication in crisis situations.

Inspiring talks and debate

The event started film screening "Waiting for the sky", directed by Alina Mrowinska (2020). The show was held in Sense Factoryfollowed by a moving debate with the documentary's protagonist. dr. n. med. Paweł GrabowskiPresident of the Prophet Elijah Hospice Foundation. The discussion provided an important opportunity to reflect on communication in the face of difficult decisions and borderline situations.

Experts and speakers

The conference was attended by eminent specialists from various fields, as well as students. Speakers included:

• Prof. zw. dr hab. n. med. Andrzej Gładysz - specialist in infectious diseases; 
• Dr n. med. Pawel Grabowski - President of the Prophet Elijah Hospice Foundation;
• Prof. Dr. Aleksander Woźny - Director of the Institute of Media and Social Communication;
• Dr n. med. Krzysztof Szmyd - President of the Lower Silesian children's hospice "Formula of Good";
• Prof. Tomasz Pawłowski, MD, PhD - Head of the Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Disorders;
• Prof. Bozhidar Ivkov - Bulgarian Academy of Sciences;
• Monica Marinova - President of the Tarlov's Cyst Patients Association "Treatment Without Borders" (Bulgaria);
• Dr Oliwia Tarasewicz-Gryt - College of Vocational Training;
• Prof. Dr. Urszula Glensk - Institute of Journalism and Social Communication, University of Wrocław;
• Dr Tetiana Vlasevych - Ivan Franko National University of Lviv;
• Dr Michał Rydlewski - Institute of Journalism and Social Communication, University of Wrocław;
• Dr Jerzy Luty - College of Vocational Training;
• Dr n. vet. Wojciech Hildebrand - Vice President of the Council of the Lower Silesian Chamber of Veterinary Medicine;
• Aleksandra Keller, MA - President of the Kociniec Cat Orphanage Foundation.

Summary and conclusions

At the end of the conference, students and participants summarised the issues raised and pointed out the need to continue discussions and further research in the field of crisis communication. Due to the great interest and positive reception of the event, it was reported that a second edition of the conference will be organised to explore this important topic in even greater depth.

Experts from the Vocational Training College at the G2 Forum in Wrocław

Geopolitics, economy, innovation, energy and business are the main thematic areas of the sixth edition of the G2 Forum, which will take place on 12 June at Tarczynski Arena in Wrocław. The event will be attended by experts from the Higher School of Vocational Training - members of the Security Advisory Team: Maj Gen Jarosław Kaleta, Maj Gen Paweł Dzierżak, Maj Gen Artur Bielecki, Maj Gen Michał Otrębski and Dr Rafał Guzowski.

At the heart of the debate - safety, education and innovation

Experts from our University at the G2 Forum will focus on key aspects of national security - both in the defence and internal dimensions. The discussion will address the geopolitical challenges facing Poland and the need to develop effective strategies to secure the country against threats.

An important element of these strategies is the training of specialist staff. The College of Professional Education provides specialised educational programmes in national security, crisis management and modern technologies used in the uniformed services. Students learn to analyse risks, respond to emergencies and implement solutions to enhance public safety.

G2 Forum - a space for sharing knowledge and experience

The G2 Forum, under the theme 'Turning Points', will bring together nearly 200 speakers from different countries and sectors. The event will be divided into three thematic zones: geopolitics, economy and innovation and Space & Military Zone. Participants will have the opportunity to listen to speeches in the G2 Talks format and benefit from networking and exhibition zones.

A shared vision of development. Meeting of the University authorities with the academic staff of the Faculty of Social Sciences

Already 10 June 2025 at 16:00 a meeting will take place on the Google Meet platform, bringing together the University and Faculty of Social Sciences authorities with academics. This is an important moment to look to the future together.

On the agenda - key areas that shape the Faculty's identity and development strategies. Participants will look at, among other things:

• organisational and functional aspects;
• teaching and research plans;
• the development prospects of the student community;
• cooperation with the socio-economic environment;
• technological solutions and infrastructure facilities.

Who will be present?

The meeting will be attended by University and Faculty authorities, heads of institutes and those responsible for:

• cooperation with the socio-economic environment;
• graduation process;
• evaluation of scientific activities;
• administrative support for the teaching process.

It is not only a presentation of the areas of activitybut above all opportunity to talk, exchanging experiences and jointly building the quality of education and research.

"With the law on you, or practically about the law" - webinar with Dr. Damian Wąsik

On 17 June, as part of a series of workshops "With the law on you, or practically about the law" will be held a meeting entitled "On the need to respect patients' rights in the treatment process - the perspective of patients and medical professionals". The topic will be the importance of patients' rights as an inalienable element of human rights and the need to adapt them to the dynamic development of medicine. It will address the issue of preserving the subjectivity of patients and their autonomy in deciding whether to participate in medical procedures.

The operator, based on the applicable legislation, well-established court case law and his/her own professional experience will present how the basic rights of the patient are implemented, the consequences of their violation and the patients' entitlements. The following will also be discussed the limits of patients' rights and the related duties of doctors, nurses, midwives and paramedics.

Profile of the leader

Dr Damian Wąsik - Doctor of Laws, a long-standing academic lecturer and researcher. Former legal adviser employed in the health sector and court-appointed attorney in numerous cases concerning medical malpractice. Author, co-author, editor and co-editor of more than 200 scientific publications and popular science in the field of medical law and criminal law. Participant in more than 100 Polish and international scientific conferences devoted to legal and medical issues. Plenipotentiary of the Rector of the School of Vocational Training for Persons with Disabilities.

Webinar schedule

During the webinar, the presenter will answer the following questions:

1. How the catalogue of patient rights is formulated in the Polish legal system?
2. What the patient's right is to provide health services in a safe and efficient manner?
3. What information can the patient ask for in the course of treatment, who should provide it and how?
4. How medical confidentiality is shaping up in relation to the patient? What responsibilities do medical professionals have?
5. Is patient consent required in all cases for treatment? When, in what form and to whom should it be given? What are the consequences for medical staff for providing medical assistance without the patient's consent?
6. How the patient's right is shaping up to medical records?
7. What responsibilities do medical staff have in relation to the need to respect the patient's intimacy and dignity and to respect his private and family life during hospitalisation?
8. What is the issue of damage compensation for violation of patient rights?

Following the presentation, there will be time for questions from webinar participants and answers from the presenter.

"Gift of the Heart" - Student Government of the College of Vocational Training with a visit to an orphanage

On the occasion of Children's Day representatives of the Student Government of our University visited one of the local orphanages, donating gifts collected as part of the "Gift of the Heart". The initiative was met with an overwhelming response from the academic community - both students and staff at our University showed that they have really big hearts!

Children's joy and time spent together

Among the gifts donated were games, balls, skateboards, books, toys, sweets, as well as a special gift - The biggest swing we could buy. The joy of the children was immense. The sight of the happy faces and the sparkle in the eyes of the little ones was the best reward for the joint action of the entire JCCC community.

The atmosphere during the visit was full of positive energy, emotion and joy. The shared games, conversations and moments spent together showed, how important such gestures are and how much good they can dowhen we act together.

A day full of smiles and emotions

The biggest joy for the children was the new swingwhich was set up the same day - the smiles on the faces of the little ones and their enthusiasm were priceless! In addition to the swing, the children also received toys, games, books and sweets - all thanks to the huge hearts of our academic community.

The atmosphere was incredibly warm and joyful. The children were eager to unwrap the parcels and their joy was shared by all present. The time spent together, the conversations and games were extremely moving and gave a lot of positive energy to both children and visitors.

Goodness that stays for a long time

Thank you to everyone who added something of their own - we proved that together we can create great joy and leave some goodness behind. This day will definitely stay with us for a long time!

The limits of freedom of expression in the spotlight. Conclusion of the glossary competition

Institute of Law of the University of Applied Sciences settled a competition for a glossary. The Competition Commission has completed the evaluation of the works analysing the Constitutional Court's judgment (ref. SK 54/13) -. concerning the limits of freedom of expression and offence to religious feelings. The level of content of the submitted analyses was very high, and the participants demonstrated an excellent knowledge of constitutional law, a feel for the issues of freedom of expression and the ability to argue in a factual manner.

Competition theme and objective

The theme of the competition was the Constitutional Court ruling of 6 October 2015. - concerning the case of singer Doda. The participants' task was to the preparation of a gloss, i.e. a legal commentary analysing the ruling in the context of human rights and constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression.

Competition winners

• 1st place: Arkadiusz Morka - 83 points / 90 points
• 2nd place: Sebastian Binkowski - 81 points / 90 points
• 3rd place: Catherine Stobieca - 79 points / 90 points

Congratulations to the winners - The works of the prize-winners stood out for both their substantive depth and clarity of argument.

A student voice on an important issue. Competition committee and reflections

We would like to thank all participants for their commitment and the high level of work submitted. We are delighted that so many students in the College of Vocational Training undertook the analysis of the one of the most famous rulings of recent years.

The entries were judged by a Competition Committee consisting of:

• chairman of the commission - Dr Kamil Stępniak,
• deputy chairman of the commission - Dr Damian Wąsik,
• member of the commission - Dr Mirosław Dela,
• member of the commission - Dr Katarzyna Julia Kowalska,
• member of the commission - Dr Daniel Szalbot,
• member of the commission - Dr Natalia Wąsik.

See you in future editions of the competitions - let the voice of the students of our University resound boldly in the debate on human rights and the limits of freedom of expression.