embassy events 2009

Gdynia Business Week Opens on August 16

17 August 2009

Ambassador Ashe poses for a group photo with Gdynia officials, Mike Waske from the Seattle-Gdynia Sister City Association, and Steve Hyer, Executive Director of the Washington Business Week

On August 16, 2009, U.S. Ambassador to Poland, Victor Ashe, spoke at the opening of Gdynia Business Week, a project of the Seattle-Gdynia Sister Cities Association and the Foundation for Private Enterprise, inspired by the Washington Business Week.  Gdynia Business Week, taking place on August 16-22 this year, is an intensive six-day program in which high-school aged students experience a simulated work environment, and develop business management skills.  In his opening remarks, Ambassador Ashe emphasized the significance of Sister City programs. “Sister Cities provide a real person-to-person foundation for the continued relationship between the United States and Poland,” he said. “The Washington Business Week in Gdynia is an excellent example of the lasting impact on young lives that Sister City Associations can have.” Ambassador Ashe received an award from the National League of Mayors, signed by its current president Seattle Mayor Greg Nichols.

The City of Gdynia will host 100 Polish students, 5 Seattle students, and 11 representatives from Northwest corporations who will act as student advisors. The cities of Seattle and Gdynia, and the Seattle-Gdynia Sister City Association, envision this program leading to the establishment of a long-term relationship between Washington Business Week, Polish and Seattle-area corporations, and students. Speakers and guests throughout the week include: Gdynia Mayor, Wojciech Szczurek; Gdynia Deputy Mayors Michal Guc, Ewa Lowkiel, Boguslaw Stasiak, and Marek Stepa; former Polish Ambassador to the United States, Janusz Reiter; and Michal Jaworski from Microsoft, Poland. For more information on the Gdynia Business Week, please visit the official Seattle-Gdynia Sister Cities Association website: http://www.seattlegdynia.org/