Freedom Games tackles challenges ahead for Poland and Europe

The ninth edition of the major liberal event ‘Freedom Games’ took place in Łódź, Poland, on 14-16 October with the theme of green independence.

This theme was in response to the growing challenges posed not only by climate change, but also Russian aggression against Ukraine and its consequences for Europe.

The event was co-organised by Liberté Foundation in Łódź and the European Liberal Forum and brought an impressive range of speakers, including author Johan Norberg conservationist Jane Goodall (ethologist & conservationist), and European Ombudsman Emily O’Riley, as well as Nowoczesna leader Adam Szłapka MP and Dr. Detmar Doering, Project Director Central Europe and the Baltic States at Friedrich Naumann Foundation.

With the war in Ukraine and its implications for societies and economies in Europe high on the agenda, the participants also discussed upcoming 2023 parliamentary election in Poland and the country’s democratic future.

Szłapka emphasised the importance of the election for Poland, calling for mobilisation and unity of opposition parties:

“The future of liberal democracy in Poland will be at stake in the 2023 elections. Maximum mobilization of opposition parties and their supporters will be key to the success. With the increasing inflation, the economic situation of households needs to be in the centre of attention.”

This weekend, @Nowoczesna leader @adamSzlapka joined in the Freedom Games

👉 With liberal democracy under attack by the authoritarian majority in Poland 🇵🇱, elections in 2023 will be critical for the country’s democratic future! @EurLiberalForum https://t.co/uJ7vm32In8
— ALDE Party (@ALDEParty) October 17, 2022

As part of the European Liberal Forum HUB at the event, speakers from Poland and abroad discussed such topics as energy, the EU response to war refugees, rule of law, or LGBTQIA+ rights, human rights and more.

🙌We are ready to start at the ELF Hub at #FreedomGames2022! The main theme of this year’s forum is #GreenIndependence” as a response to the growing challenges of #climatechange, and Russian aggression in #Ukraine.

💻Follow the conversations online: https://t.co/WqWpkPPRW4 pic.twitter.com/5Jg4n5kabJ
— European Liberal Forum (@EurLiberalForum) October 15, 2022