The contemporary security environment is characterized by high dynamics of change, increasing unpredictability, and the interpenetration of various types of threats. Poland, as a state located on the eastern flank of NATO and the European Union, occupies a special position in the European security architecture. The ongoing war in Ukraine, pressure from the Russian Federation, and intensifying great-power rivalry mean that security issues are gaining exceptional importance at the international, state, and local levels.

The 8th International Security Congress will provide a space for interdisciplinary debate on current and future challenges to Poland’s security. Particular attention will be paid to Poland’s position in the changing international environment and the role of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in ensuring regional security. An important area of reflection will also include the consequences of the war in Ukraine and the capacity of the state, public institutions, and society to function under conditions of destabilization, crisis, and the threat of war.

The aim of the Congress is to create a forum for the exchange of knowledge, experience, and best practices among representatives of academia, public administration, uniformed services, and experts in broadly understood security studies. The Congress is intended to support the diagnosis of current threats, the analysis of possible scenarios of developments, and the search for solutions strengthening the resilience of the state, its institutions, and society.

A key point of reference for the discussions will be the experience resulting from the war in Ukraine. This conflict has highlighted the importance of national defense preparedness, the efficiency of public administration, and society’s ability to respond rapidly to emerging threats. The conclusions drawn from these experiences are of crucial importance for the future security of Poland, the Central and Eastern European region, and the entire Euro-Atlantic community.

Thematic modules

Poland in the changing international security environment

This module focuses on Poland’s place in the European and global security architecture. It includes analysis of the consequences of the war in Ukraine, pressure from the Russian Federation, great-power rivalry, the role of NATO, and Poland’s position within the Euro-Atlantic security system. The module addresses issues related to border security, transatlantic relations, allied cooperation, national defense, the instrumentalization of migration, and challenges arising from Poland’s geostrategic location.

State resilience and institutional capacity in the face of crises, threats, and war

This module focuses on the state’s ability to function effectively under conditions of crisis and the threat of war. It covers the resilience of public administration, security services, local communities, communication systems, public services, and response mechanisms in emergency situations. Special attention is given to crisis management, civil protection, civil defense, protection of critical infrastructure, energy, health and economic security, and the legal aspects of state response to risks affecting national security.

Hybrid threats, cybersecurity, and information security

This module addresses contemporary threats that may destabilize the state and society without conventional armed conflict. It includes activities below the threshold of war, cyberattacks, disinformation, propaganda, sabotage, subversion, provocations, and attempts to undermine public trust in state institutions and to polarize society. The scope of the module also covers technological security, data protection, artificial intelligence, digital resilience, cybersecurity of ICT systems, media literacy, and counteracting information manipulation.

Societal resilience, security education, and citizen preparedness

This module is devoted to the social dimension of security and the role of citizens in building national defense potential. It covers threat awareness, security education, civic education, population preparedness for crisis situations, first aid, social self-organization, and the role of families, schools, universities, non-governmental organizations, and local communities. It also addresses issues related to the education of personnel for the security system, public trust, and social cohesion in conditions of destabilization, crisis, and war.