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After Brexit: The Future of Poles in Britain

POL

18 November 2016, 6:30pm

William Mong Hall, Sidney Sussex College, University of Cambridge

 

Click here to watch a video of this event on YouTube

 

Click here to view photos from the event.

 

Honorary Guests:

Jonathan Knott, Ambassador of the United Kingdom in Warsaw

Arkady Rzegocki, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland in London

 

Panel discussion featuring:

Kenneth Armstrong, Professor of European Law, University of Cambridge

Aneta Buchert, Polish City Club

Elizabeth Kardynal, Federation of Poles in Great Britain

Jakub Krupa, Polish Press Agency, London

 

After the result of the June referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union, the future of free movement between the UK and the rest of Europe has been thrown into doubt. Millions of EU nationals - including almost a million Poles - living and working in the UK face a period of great uncertainty, with "Brexit" negotiations perhaps set to commence in 2017. At the same time, anti-migrant sentiment has been on the rise in Britain, with a significant spike in hate crimes after the referendum, especially against Poles.

In this difficult climate, Cambridge Polish Studies hosted a panel discussion on the future of the thriving Polish community in the UK. The discussion focused on the possible impact of "Brexit" negotiations on Poles residing in Britain and the challenges facing Poles across the country, while also highlighting the great successes and achievements of British Poles. As well as being a serious discussion of pressing issues for the Polish community, the event was also a celebration of Polish life in Britain.