Walesa’s only speech in country at Durham

May 6 2008 by Karen Dent, The Journal

THE man who led Poland out of Communism and became its first democratically elected president is in the North East on Thursday to address business leaders.

In further evidence of closer links between the North East and Poland, Lech Walesa will address the North East Chamber of Commerce.

The NECC, organising the event with Durham University, One NorthEast and the TUC, used its ties with the British Polish Chamber of Commerce to persuade the Nobel Peace Prize winner to choose the region for his only talk in England.

Mr Walesa, a former Gdansk shipyard electrician who founded the Solidarity union to improve the rights of Poles under communism, was elected Polish president in 1990, a post he held five years. NECC president Richard Bottomley said: “This is an incredible opportunity to hear directly from one of the world’s greatest leaders of all time. …

“The growth of the North East economy in recent years and the role that Polish workers have played in filling the skills gap was critical in securing his presence here in the region.”

Mr Walesa is visiting when Poland is being lauded as one of the EU’s highest potential growth economies.

TUC northern secretary Kevin Rowan said the visit was a great coup: “The region has gained much from the Polish workers coming here and giving a significant boost to our economy, providing a dynamism and energy that has contributed to recent economic growth and facilitating a more subtle shift as the North East becomes more internationally diverse.”

To reserve a place contact June Howarth on (0191) 374-6490.