The ceremony brought together representatives of both communities. On behalf of the PSORW Association, the letter of intent was signed by Łukasz Kubiak, Chairman of the PSORW Board and Mayor of Krobia, and Tadeusz Wojciechowski, member of the Association's Board and mayor of the Sławno Commune. The Faculty of Geographical Sciences of the University of Lodz was represented by Prof. Marcin Wójcik, Dean of the Faculty.
The event was also attended by invited guests from the association: Marek Chmielewski, Member of the Polish Parliament and Honorary Member of PSORW; Paweł Kisowski, Deputy Chairman of the PSORW Management Board and Mayor of Świerzawa; Janusz Reszelewski, Mayor of Drzewica and Member of the PSORW Audit Committee; Antoni Wujda, Acting Mayor of the Zduńska Wola Commune; Bogdan Kaczmarek, Mayor of the Żelechlinek Commune; and Maria Tyszer, Director of the Association's Office. Ryszard Wilczyński, who is a renowned expert on the Network of the most interesting villages, Vice-Chairman of the European Association for Rural Development and Village Renewal (ARGE), and Representative of the Opole Voivodeship Board for Rural Development, provided invaluable input into the discussion.
The authorities of the Faculty of Geographical Sciences, University of Lodz, were represented by the following Vice-Deans: dr hab. Wojciech Tołoczko, Associate Professor at the University of Lodz, Vice-Dean for Development and Promotion of Earth and Environmental Sciences; Dr Marta Nalej, Vice-Dean for Ciurricula and Education Quality; and Dr Małgorzata Frydrych, Vice-Dean for Student Affairs. Dr Karolina Dmochowska, Dean's Representative for Communications, Promotion and PR; Dr Tomasz Napierała from the Institute of Urban Geography, Tourism Studies and Geoinformation and Dr Anita Kulawiak from the Department of Regional and Social Geography, both members of the Faculty's External Relations Team.
This is a very important agreement for both parties: it concerns the needs of local government units, primarily in the development of rural tourism, which is the most important element of the PSORW activity, but also many areas, scientific and teaching activities of the Faculty of Geographical Sciences, such as spatial development, environmental protection and geomonitoring issues
– commented immediately after the signing of the agreement, Dean of the Faculty of Geography of the University of Lodz, Prof. Marcin Wójcik.
Partnership between science and local government in the service of rural areas
The signed letter of intent establishes a framework for cooperation, which will include the initiation and implementation of joint projects in the areas of rural renewal and tourism, educational and promotional activities aimed at strengthening the potential of rural areas, the exchange of knowledge and best practices, and the joint organisation of conferences, seminars and workshops. The document emphasises that this cooperation is an expression of a shared will to work for the good of society and rural areas.
Specific plans for the coming months
Following the signing ceremony, a discussion took place about the possibilities of implementing the cooperation. Discussions focused on topics such as the implementation of theses, commissioned seminars and fieldwork in the municipalities belonging to the association – opportunities to engage students and researchers from the Faculty of Geographical Sciences, University of Lodz in shaping local development. Support provided by experts from the faculty in building the Network of the Most Interesting Villages in Poland – one of the flagship projects of the Polish Network for Rural Renewal and Development (PSORW), which has been implemented for over a decade, is a particularly interesting direction.
The interdisciplinary strength of the UniLodz Faculty of Geographical Sciences
The presence of researchers representing two scientific disciplines: Socio-Economic Geography and Spatial Management, and Earth and Environmental Sciences is a unique asset of the Faculty of Geographical Sciences at the University of Lodz. This will enable collaboration with the Polish Network for Rural Renewal and Development to encompass a holistic, integrated approach to the analysis of rural areas – from environmental and spatial research to the diagnosis of local communities and their activities in promoting rural renewal and the development of rural tourism. It is precisely this multifaceted nature that makes the Faculty of Geographical Sciences at the University of Lodz an exceptionally well-prepared partner for an organisation that brings together such diverse municipalities and stakeholder groups.
Both parties expressed their belief that the cooperation will contribute to the development of rural Poland and strengthen the dialogue between local government practice and science – benefiting both rural communities and the quality of research and education at the Faculty of Geographical Sciences, University of Lodz.
Source: Dr Karolina Dmochowska, Faculty of Geographical Sciences, University of Lodz
Edit: Press Office, University of Lodz
Photos: Maciej Andrzejewski, Centre for Brand Communications, University of Lodz
