Public Workshop on Poland and the End of Communism

The Australian Institute of Polish Affairs (AIPA) and the Contemporary Europe Research Centre (CERC) at the University of Melbourne cordially invite you to a Workshop entitled:

Poland: 20 Years On From the Historic Elections of 1989

Time: 6.30 – 8.00 pm, Thursday 4 June 2009
Location: Lecture Theatre, Level 2, 234 Queensberry Street, Carlton

It is exactly 20 years since the historic election in Poland that saw the emergence of a democratic parliamentary opposition, something hitherto unheard of in the communist world. The election set off a chain of events in neighbouring countries and within six months communism in Central Europe was defunct. This workshop will recall the heady days of 1989 and assess the impact of the Polish elections on the end of communist rule in Europe and developments in Poland since then.

• Format:
  Formal Introduction by Prof. Leslie Holmes, Deputy Director, CERC; and Mr. Adam Warzel, President, AIPA
  
  Opening Address: HE Andrzej Jaroszynski, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland in Australia
  
  Keynote Speech – Prof. Jan Pakulski (Chair of Sociology and former Dean of Arts, University of Tasmania, and a former President of AIPA)
  
  Panel Discussion – Dr. Stefan Auer (La Trobe University), Dr. Matt Killingsworth (La Trobe University) and Prof. Leslie Holmes (University of Melbourne)
  
  NB: All are welcome to this free public lecture and panel discussion. However, since seating is limited, registration is required.
  
  RSVP – by 4.00 pm on Monday 1 June 2009 – either by ‘phone to CERC (03 8344 9502) or by e-mail to cerc@cerc.unimelb.edu.au
  
  This public event is jointly sponsored by the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Canberra, the Australian Institute of Polish Affairs, and the University of Melbourne