Students in Łódź Celebrated the Inauguration of the New U.S. President

On January 20,2009, as part of the Speakers Bureau Program, Robert Dahlke, Economic Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw, was among the guests of honor opening a special inauguration event: “Academic Łódź with Barack Obama” at the University of Łódź. The event was initiated by Sejm Deputy Zdzisława Janowska especially for the Łódź academic community, students, and local authorities. The participants had a chance to engage in academic discussion and celebrate the grand occasion of the swearing in of the 44th President of the United States together with their peers.

In honor of the inauguration of new U.S. President Barack Obama, the School of Management of the University of Łodź hosted a panel discussion on January 20 on American politics and the influence of Obama’s future presidency on the society, global politics, and the economyon. Embassy Economic Officer Bob Dahlke delivered opening remarks to the assembled audience of approximately 100 students and faculty, including a large contingent of foreign students from a number of African countries.  In his remarks, Mr. Dahlke addressed the long-term historical significance of President Obama’s political success in the 2008 election campaign.  Panel members, who included Polish and Kenyan academics as well as Poland’s former Ambassador to Kenya, then debated research findings on recent U.S. voting trends and shared their expectations of the new administration’s policies to enhance access to U.S. higher education.  The evening ended with live television viewing  of President Obama's swearing-in and inaugural speech. 

Also, a Congratulations Letter for Barack Obama was read at the opening. “We are very pleased that the Łódź community is joining the United States in celebrating the Inauguration Event,” said Ashley. “Officer Dahlke’s presence at the event proves that the US- Polish relationship remains vigorous and valuable.”, said Cultural Attache Chuck Ashley.