What is belonging, where does it come from and is it important to us? Is it possible to feel empowered in a diverse group, to influence its shape and actions, and to share common aspirations among its members? Where do we get the strength to build up our sense of identity and openness in everyday life? Answers to these questions were sought by participants in a debate organised at the Faculty of Economics on the occasion of the UG’s involvement in World Values Day.
The celebration of World Values Day is an annual campaign taking place on the same day in more than 80 countries, aiming to raise awareness and encourage the practice of universal values around the world in the ever-changing external circumstances.
The Faculty of Economics of the UG, as an important academic centre in the field of economic sciences, joined the group of entities that undertake initiatives, meetings and debates dedicated to building attractive, sustainable social ecosystems and organised two very interesting panel debates on October 19 in the auditorium of the Faculty of Economics in Sopot.
The gathered guests were welcomed by the Director of the Shared Services Centre of the Bajer company in Gdańsk, the Vice-President of ABSL and Chapter Leader of ABSL in Tri-City, Remigiusz Wojciechowski:
‘Today, we are going to talk about affiliation. I was wondering when was the last time I felt it. Quite recently, while standing in a long queue for an election. What united us there was the identity of citizens, democrats, Europeans. And although no one said it out loud to each other, we felt a certain togetherness. Today, gathering in this hall, we also have something in common. These are common values, such as openness, curiosity, and a desire to grow.’
The floor was then taken by the Faculty of Economics’ Dean, dr hab. Monika Bąk, prof. UG: ‘It is no coincidence that we are here today within the walls of UG. The core values of our university are the rational pursuit of truth through innovative research, following the best models of world science, modern education for civilisational and social development, mutual respect and trust, tolerance for diversity of views, and the solidarity of the entire academic community. We welcome you to our faculty, which has co-organised this event, with great joy and enthusiasm. In the field of social sciences - and economics in particular - debate and cooperation between academia and the socio-economic environment is an absolute prerequisite for our action and a value in itself. I invite you to the debates.’
The Deputy Dean for Development and Cooperation with the Socio-Economic Environment at the Faculty of Economics UG, dr Magdalena Markiewicz, moderator of the first part of the debate, reminded that the Modern Business Services sector is one of the most diversified industries in Poland, employing 435 thousand people, nearly 20% of whom are foreigners. In Tri-City alone, there are over 200 centres employing 38 thousand people. She also pointed out that employees of the MBS sector, including graduates of the University of Gdańsk, function at the crossroads of cultures on a daily basis, sharing their duties with colleagues from abroad or working in international teams. ‘In such a diverse environment, it is important to celebrate what we all have in common: values,’ said dr Magdalena Markiewicz.
She then opened the first debate, which focused on belonging in a changing world and finding oneself in a time of social, cultural and business change.
The moderator’s questions were answered by three women with a variety of successes to their credit: Gdynia’s Deputy Mayor for the Economy, Katarzyna Gruszewska-Spychała, the Head of the Department of Intercultural Psychology and Psychology of Type at the Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Gdansk, dr hab. Natasza Kosakowska-Berezecka, prof. UG, and the Polish table tennis player, four-time Paralympic medallist Natalia Partyka.
Each of the guests has achieved a great deal, although it is clear that the road to the goal is never easy. The moderator began the discussion with the issue of a sense of belonging, emphasising that everyone needs it. Where does a sense of belonging come from, and is it important to us - this was the first question addressed to the speakers.
Prof. Natasha Kosakowska-Berezecka was the first to respond: ‘A sense of belonging is important. It is a strength that comes from people. Each of us can recall a good relationship we had. When we think about it, it turns out that the best dimension of this relationship is felt when we have something in common with the other person, when we have shared stories and experiences, because then we feel that we belong. In addition to this sense of being alike, there is also a sense of our uniqueness. People have two needs: to be like someone, to be in a relationship with someone, and to be a self-determining, autonomous individual. These two conditions are important in relationships. If they are satisfied, we then have a sense of security. The same principle also translates, for example, into research teams. Good teams give the individual a sense of belonging, but also power and agency - the feeling that I have a say in what the group I am part of does. Only then does a sense of belonging lead to really satisfying results.’
Katarzyna Gruszecka-Spychała was the second to present her position; her speech was about the sense of belonging in the city. ‘Belonging also works in law. Let us note that self-government is nothing more than a community, although this is often forgotten. Looking at and analysing what is happening in other cities, we seem to be at a point where belonging to smaller public communities becomes more important to people than belonging to the larger ones. Many researchers say that in the near future, we will face a sense of belonging through citizenship to the city rather than to the state. Residents will feel a stronger emotional connection to their small rather than large homeland. We can observe this trend is progressing rapidly. I often see that it is no longer just a sense of belonging to the city but, for example, to a neighbourhood. (...) Gdynia has the characteristic that its inhabitants have a powerful sense of identity. They strongly emphasise their distinctiveness as residents of Gdynia. There is a great need for community in people. You have to put a lot of effort into identifying its sources, and if you nurture this feeling, you will see fantastic results, such as the fact that Gdynia’s inhabitants have been demonstrating for years that they are the happiest city residents in Poland.’
Natalia Partyka was the third to talk about her unique experiences. Dr Magdalena Markiewicz asked her what happens when a little girl, alone, without her parents, goes to the other side of the world for the Olympics. What is it like to suddenly find yourself somewhere else at such a young age? What can you then build a sense of belonging on?
‘At the age of seven, I found myself in a ping-pong hall. So, it was decided by my parents that I would start training. I joined a sports club in Zaspa, a group of my peers. The coaches tried to infect us with their passion for the sport, showing us its beauty. Because I was born without a right forearm, I stood out from the group. My coaches at the time happened to know people from the disabled sports community and immediately let them know about me. That was also the first time we came across something like a parasport. So, from the very beginning, I belonged to two sporting environments: athletes with and without disabilities. Thanks to the first group, looking at the great, smiling players it consisted of, I understood that my disability was not a limitation and everything depended on me.’
Natalia Partyka made her debut at the Sydney Games at the age of 11. She went to Australia for a month - alone, without her parents or relatives. ‘I was in a group of people who cared a lot about me. I was the youngest participant in the Paralympic Games. A mascot. Not only of the Polish national team. This trip gave me a lot of motivation and self-confidence.’
The second question of the debate was about feelings of agency and influence. The moderator asked the panellists how they built this feeling in themselves and where they got their strength from.
The Deputy Mayor of Gdynia was the first to respond. ‘Building a sense of value and identity in the context of the city, with its very high diversity, is difficult. The city is made up of a large group of people with very different views. You can’t reach everyone with one idea. You have to balance being determined to achieve a goal and being resistant to criticism. When I reflect on diversity, I am accompanied by the thought that the world should be one for all. The whole space should be organised universally so that everyone can fit in. However, there is an awful lot to do in this regard. These are huge challenges.’
Prof. Natasha Kosakowska-Berezecka talked about how to build teams, their sense of integration, identity and striving towards one goal despite the great diversity of their members.
‘I will refer to two important levels of team management: micro and macro. Micro refers to the space of relationships within the team, to giving oneself the right to be distinct and to respect the other’s differences. Macro, on the other hand, refers to the level of decision-making. The right to be different and to have a different opinion is one thing, but here, it is essential to give people the power, the feeling that they can co-decide. Diversity only works then.’
The next question of the debate was about what helps the guests succeed. Here again, the answers referred to values, the ability to give oneself permission to be weak, and doing things in harmony with oneself.
The second part of the debate, on shades of belonging and commitment, was equally lively. HR Manager at Bayer Aleksandra Peszek, Technical Program Manager and Diversity and Inclusion Leader at Intel Katarzyna Cichocka, and second-year International Business student Oliwier Piekarski discussed the exchange of experiences and mutual inspiration in sector companies and universities. The debate was moderated by Klaudia Knapik, HR Manager at DNV.
They talked about the qualities of a good leader, a well-functioning group, inclusivity and belonging.
Both parts of the debate ended with questions from the audience.
The World Values Day at the University of Gdańsk was held under the patronage of the Rector of the University of Gdańsk, prof. dr hab. Piotr Stepnowski.
