International Human Rights Day is celebrated on the anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UN General Assembly on 10 December 1948. At the University of Gdańsk, this day was an opportunity to meet with President Lech Wałęsa, co-founder of Solidarity and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. The meeting was moderated by the Director of the Institute of Political Science, dr hab. Arkadiusz Modrzejewski, prof. UG.

The meeting with the leader of the democratic opposition in the People's Republic of Poland was held in a packed hall, attended by many students and university staff, as well as representatives of the media. Vice-Rector for Cooperation and International Relations, dr hab. Anna Jurkowska-Zeidler, prof. UG, reminded the audience that Lech Wałęsa is also an honorary doctor of the University of Gdańsk, and that this year marks the 35th anniversary of awarding him this title.

The event was an opportunity to look back at the past and reflect on the present (full of uncertainty) and the future - both of Poland and the world. The former President of Poland answered numerous questions from students of various disciplines and encouraged them to become actively involved in social issues and to take responsibility for the fate of their country and the world.