Meet Danuta

Opole is my home town. I am bound to it by birth, by work, and by heart. I use the knowledge I have gained to know more, do more, and work better.

I graduated from a scholarship programme at Georgetown University as well as the University of Wisconsin in the United States. I also undertook postgraduate studies on International Relations from the Pultusk Academy of Humanities. I completed studies regarding regional politics and structural funding at Luiss University in Rome, a scholarship programme at the Japan International Cooperation Agency in Tokio, as well as studies at the Danish School of Public Administration on strengthening implementation of the community acquis at regional level. I have taken part in studies in Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, France and Belgium. Based on these qualifications, I am familiar with ways of obtaining EU funds in a way that is most beneficial to our nation, region and their citizens. I use my knowledge to actively participate in European life.

For many years I worked in regional institutions intending to prepare our region for European integration. Together with my colleagues from Lower Silesia, I composed a strategy for the development of the Polish-Czech border. By exchanging information with partners abroad, as well as our neighbouring regions, I was able to implement a brand-new, international programme – “A European Officer in Every Community” – by assembling almost a hundred specialists on European affairs. Together we were able to receive one of the first available grants of European funding, win the right to tens of projects and muster millions of euros of funding for use by our region. As a result, our citizens enjoy top levels of funding regional projects, the results of which are rated highly by the European Committee.

I represented our region in Polish Parliament for two terms, concentrating on European affairs and regional development issues. Currently, I am applying the experience I gained while being in charge of the Polish delegation to the Council of Europe and as an active vice-president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.