University of Silesia in Katowice

From February 28 to March 2, 2023, the Winter School of Diplomatic Protocol and Etiquette took place in Katowice. The event was attended by students from the International Political Science and Diplomacy program at the University of Silesia in Katowice and the International Relations and Diplomacy program at Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas.

The series of sessions began with virtual meetings with lecturers. On the first day in the capital of the Silesian Voivodeship, students attended lectures by experts from Lithuania and Italy. Prof. Šarūnas Liekis from Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas discussed the major geopolitical challenges on the eastern border of the European Union. Meanwhile, Prof. Federico Donelli from the University of Trieste addressed issues concerning the southern border. The inaugural segment concluded with a lecture by Ambassador Artur Harazim, Deputy Director of the Diplomatic Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, focusing on the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. In the afternoon session, under the guidance of Ambassador Artur Harazim, students began workshops on etiquette and diplomatic protocol.

The second day was dedicated to intensive workshops on topics such as preparing official invitations and receptions, the principle of precedence, dress and table etiquette in diplomatic relations, and the rules of flag protocol. At the end of the day, students had the opportunity to put their newly acquired knowledge and skills into practice during a formal dinner with a Polish diplomat and invited lecturers.

The third day of the winter school focused on intercultural communication and regional knowledge. In the morning, students participated in practical sessions led by Dr. Paweł Zakrajewski, Director of the English Philology program, entitled “Diplomatic Conversation Skills: International Negotiation.” The second part of the communication block, titled “Cross-cultural Communication,” was conducted by Dr. hab. Iwona Dronia, Prof. UŚ. In the afternoon, students took a study visit to the historic building of the Silesian Parliament, guided by Dr. hab. Małgorzata Myśliwiec, Prof. UŚ.

Photo by Matylda Klos

This year’s edition of the event was made possible by the project “Stronger Together – Strategic Partnerships of the University of Silesia in Katowice within the Transform4Europe Network”. The Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange funded a project under the Strategic Partnerships program.

Private archive of prof. M. Myśliwiec