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When asked about their beliefs about their fellow citizens, Poles most often agree that they are distinguished by a tendency to complain (36 percent of responses), according to a representative survey conducted for the We Did It In Poland campaign, which aims to promote Polish achievements at home and abroad. At the same time, however, 29 percent of respondents acknowledge that Poles have the energy to take action, and 27 percent that they are able to achieve their goals. The same percentage points out that Poles have a presence in global markets (in contrast, 15 percent think they operate mainly locally). The same number of respondents believe that our fellow countrymen are achieving their goals, and 26 percent believe that we have high ambitions. According to 24 percent of those surveyed, Poles have unconventional ideas.
Interestingly, almost the same percentage of respondents express the opinion that Poles are changing the world (20 percent of responses), and that they are not contributing anything to the world (19 percent of responses). Also, 19 percent each think that Poles make plans but do not carry them out, and that they follow patterns.
People over 60 appreciate Poland and Poles the most
Perception of Poland’s development potential increases with the age of the respondents. As many as 84 percent of respondents from the so-called “baby boomers” generation. baby boomers (over 60 years of age) are convinced that our country has great development potential. Among respondents from generation X (44 to 59 years old), the figure is 75 percent, and in generations Y (28-43 years old) and Z (18-27 years old) it is already 66 percent. As many as 55 percent of the youngest respondents believe that Poland is lagging behind other European countries in terms of development. Among respondents from generations Y and X, this percentage drops to 40 percent, and in the oldest group surveyed – to 33 percent. Representatives of the baby boomers generation are also more likely to attribute energy, ambition and the ability to achieve goals to Poles. Younger respondents tend to view Poland through the prism of passivity and resignation.
Only 4 percent of Poles are proud of Poland’s level of development
Behind the sense of pride in Poland is mainly a sense of national identity (25% of responses) and an appreciation of historical heritage (22% of responses). Proud of the country’s level of development are only 4 percent of those surveyed , and the achievements of modern Poles are indicated by individuals (less than 1 percent). The beauty of the country, the ability to unite, national heroes, the friendliness of the people, security and rich culture are also mentioned among the reasons for pride in Poland (felt by a total of 56 percent of respondents). On the other hand, among the reasons for feeling ashamed, respondents point to quarrels and conflicts, backwardness, divisions and lack of cooperation, or the country’s lack of development, among others.
Poles have had a hand in creating many innovative solutions and pioneering technologies that are making a real difference in the world. Therefore, we should appreciate our achievements and talk about them with pride. In this way we can motivate future generations, inspiring them to believe in their own potential and success – says Rafal Modrzewski, CEO and co-founder of ICEYE, a Polish-Finnish company that is a world leader in the field of continuous Earth monitoring using radar satellites, with applications including defense and emergency response to natural disasters.
As part of the We Did It In Poland campaign, an interactive exhibition showcasing selected innovations that we, as Poles, can boast of, will be on display at the National Stadium in Warsaw from April 4 in the conference center where Polish presidency officials are meeting. By mid-May alone, the exhibition is expected to be visited by 9,000 guests of the Polish presidency. Earlier, the exhibition was presented in Brussels.
We Did It In Poland Campaign
The We Did It In Poland campaign has received the patronage of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Among its goals is to strengthen the image of Poland as an innovative, dynamic and modern country, making a significant contribution to the development of the European Union. The campaign is also intended to initiate conversation about Polish successes, activate Poles and encourage them to share in social media their stories, photos or videos related to what they have achieved, what inspires them in Poland, what or whom in our country they admire. Information about Polish innovations worth bragging about can also be submitted via a form on the website.
*The survey, commissioned by the EnabledPlus Foundation, was conducted by research agency Group 4P from December 6-12, 2024, using the CAWI method on a representative sample of 1010 Poles aged 18 to 70.
The mission of the EnabledPlus Foundation is to promote diversity as a fundamental organizational value, to make equality the norm, and inclusion a key element of the path to business and individual success. We create educational programs, nationwide social campaigns and projects dedicated to the individual needs of cooperating companies.
The EnabledPlus Foundation grows out of the organization Success Written in Lipstick, created by Olga Kozierowska in 2008.
Partners of the We Did It In Poland campaign: Business Science Poland, BLIK, Booksy, PZU Foundation, Mastercard, ORLEN.
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