Director Marcin Wrona Speaks to YouNxt

The Toronto International Film Festival is long gone but we wanted to share with you a brief interview that we conducted with Polish Director Marcin Wrona during his visit to the city with the film  Christening (Chrzest). YouNxt and organizers of Ekran (the Polish Film Festival in Toronto) hosted Marcin and Producer Tomasz Szulc during their highly successful premiere at TIFF. To read all about their trip check out some of our previous coverage:

1. https://younxt.wordpress.com/2010/09/17/christening-tiff-%E2%80%93-first-screening-a-huge-success/

2. https://younxt.wordpress.com/2010/09/18/christening-shines-again-at-tiff/

Thank you to Jakub Cychner for the great editing work on this.

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YouNxt at the Roundtable

On October 28-29, YouNxt was invited by the Trade Commissioner’s Office of Poland (in Montreal) to participate in round table talks relating to trade between Canada and Poland. Here are some of the photos with more on our Facebook page…

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Schmoozing with Poland’s Business Elite

It’s been a hectic few weeks and we have the photos to prove it!

Over the last while members of YouNxt have taken part in a number of networking and cultural events all over the city. We’ll be rolling out the photos on our blog and Facebook page so keep an eye out.

In the meantime here are some photos from an event which took part last night. Members of YouNxt were invited to a special networking reception at the Polish Consulate in Toronto on the occasion of the official visit to Canada of Poland’s Northern Chamber of Commerce to promote business and trade relations between Poland and Canada.

As always there was great food, great wine and lots of productive conversation.

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Our 100th Post!

Congratulations to us! This blog post marks the 100th post since we began this blog on March 11, 2010. 

We’ve organized many events since then and have written about a wide variety of Polish and Polonia related things. Below is a quick overview of what we’ve been up to since March 11, 2010.  

We hope that you’ve liked what you’ve seen/read and that you continue to check us out. And if you are particularly inspired please join YouNxt by becoming a member. 

For those who don’t know us, YouNxt is a network dedicated to connecting, promoting and advancing Polish-Canadian talent. 

YouNxt is the young professional’s branch of the Canada-Poland Chamber of Commerce of Toronto and together we work to provide up and coming professionals with unparalleled networking opportunities as well as exceptional social, cultural and educational events that focus on leadership and professional development. 

Thanks for all of your support throughout the past several months and stay tuned as we have MANY exciting events planned for the near future. 

To learn more about us visit our website. 

And if you have any questions, comments or suggestions feel free to drop us a line at younxt@gmail.com 

YouNxt attends an event with Speaker of the Polish Senate Mr. Bogdan Borusewicz.

Speaker of the Polish Senate Mr. Bogdan Borusewicz (right)

Members of YouNxt, the Canada-Poland Chamber of Commerce and the Polish Community meet with Canadian Minister of International Trade Mr. Peter Van Loan

Consul General Marek Ciesielczuk (left) and Canadian Minister of International Trade Peter Van Loan at the YouNxt and Chamber of Commerce networking event organized at the Polish Consulate in Toronto

YouNxt and Ekran host Polish Director Marcin Wrona and Producer Tomasz Szulc during the Toronto International Film Festival

YouNxt's Opening Reception party for PLAKAT - the Polish Film Poster Exhibition during TIFF2010

YouNxt and Ekran Hot Docs Reception at Veritas Restaurant in Toronto

Director Jedrzej Niestroj (left) and Director Rafal Sokolowski at the YouNxt and Ekran Hot Docs reception

YouNxt's PLAKAT Opening Reception

The Hollylodz fundraising gala attended by YouNxt

YouNxt is an official partner of the "Your Voice. Your Choice" (Masz głos, masz wybór) campaign to encourage voting in Poland's Presidential elections

Networking Garden Party organized by YouNxt and the Canada-Poland Chamber of Commerce

YouNxt's Garden party attended by the President of the European Union Chamber of Commerce

Ontario Minister of Revenue John Wilkinson speaks at a YouNxt and Chamber of Commerce networking event.

YouNxt sends young professionals to a special screening of Discovery Channel's MegaWorld Poland

MegaWorld Poland screens at the Polish Consulate in Toronto

YouNxt's PLAKAT Opening reception at Steam Whistle

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Poland in the Rockies 2010: Unforgettable and Compelling

YouNxt welcomes guest blogger Paulina M. Abramowicz to the fold. Thank you for sharing your Poland in the Rockies experiences and thank you Paulina and Kasia Kaminska for the great photos.

Poland in the Rockies 2010 Alumni

We ARE Polish and Proud!

For those of us fortunate enough to attend Poland in the Rickies (PiTR) 2010, it was an experience we shall never forget. Some even described it as “life altering”. I questioned what this meant only to realize that a mere 12 days can catapult one’s confidence. A mere 12 days can also realize one’s hopes in understanding our complicated, painful and distinguished past (without a PhD in European History, Political Science or Literature).

For those of us, 1^st 2^nd, 3^rd or 4^th or no generation Polish, PiTR filled a void. A void where we felt “free” to comfortably ask difficult, non-popular questions without risk of judgement or ridicule. We learned why being “Polish” burdened so many of our predecessors with a befuddling, and seemingly deeply rooted sense of shame. Just check out a sample Wikipedia page.

And there, amongst the most breathtaking mountain views and invigorating fresh air, we learned, we asked, we questioned. By the end of the 12 days, all of us walked away with a deep sense of resolve. A resolve to stop living in silence and carry ourselves PROUD. For those of in a quest for answers – we received a cornucopia of them – too many for us to absorb… all in one seemingly intense moment of our lives.

We left, heartbroken, that it was all over. However, with an uplifted hope, along a deep sense of insight. Even if, for all of Poland’s complexity, not everything was crystal clear in our minds, one thing was surely clear in our hearts– of who we are and how we want to shape this, our future generation. The only thing we remain left with – is more to read, more to do, more to ask, more memories to cherish and more friendships to keep.

Everyone who came was positive, open, welcoming and warm. Everyone smart, motivated and accomplished. For all of us, these were sleepless, exhilarating, and deeply special 12 days. And there are two very special people we are forever indebted to – Irene and Tony – thank you with our collective, sincere and deepest gratitude!

For more information on Poland in the Rockies please visit the PiTR Website.

Written By: Paulina M. Abramowicz

Photos By: Paulina M. Abramowicz and Kasia Kaminska

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Talking International

Honourable Peter Van Loan (centre) with members of YouNxt, the Canada-Poland Chamber of Commerce and the Polish-Canadian Community

Aside from organizing some pretty cool social and cultural events that provide invaluable networking opportunities and a chance to experience Polish culture, YouNxt aims to give young professionals an unprecedented chance at meeting political leaders and the business elite.

The aim is to help young adults grow in their personal lives and professional careers by giving them a chance to learn from the best and brightest. 

Additionally, YouNxt gives young professionals a great opportunity to play an active part in improving this country by having them provide their input to the people who call the shots.

Recently, YouNxt and the Canada-Poland Chamber of Commerce along with the Polish Consulate in Toronto organized a meeting with Canada’s Minister of International Trade, the Honourable Peter Van Loan.

Mr. Van Loan was on hand to provide insight into the ongoing free trade negotiations between Canada and the European Union which according to a Canada/EU study would benefit Canada by $12 billion by 2014.

For young entrepreneurs looking to make their mark in the near future, this agreement, once finalized, could potentially present some fantastic opportunities.

So whether you’re an up and coming business guru, fashion designer, hot shot lawyer or the next Mark Zuckerberg – pay attention and get involved.

Consul General Marek Ciesielczuk with the Honourable Peter Van Loan

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