Established to mark the international recognition of an independent and sovereign Polish State, Foreign Service Day is a time to come together, celebrate, and remember Poland’s path
to independence and freedom, which was made possible with the efforts of political circles operating in partitioned Poland and in exile. 

On this day, we need to reflect on raison d’état, a concept which since the 19th century has had
a positive connotation in Poland’s historical tradition, recalling a common public interest that transcends particular interests. It is a helpful concept in civic education and an important factor in political analysis of the international behaviour of various states. Raison d’état serves to inspire and mobilise citizens to act for the country’s good and is an immanent trait of democracy, which assumes that citizens will feel responsible for the common good. In this sense, raison d’état should guide the activities of all members of the foreign service.

Poland is an important international actor. Thanks to a consistent foreign policy, Poles’ strong aspirations to freedom, and their solidarity and entrepreneurship, our country has been increasingly important on the international stage. In the face of multiple challenges, often new and emerging on an unprecedented scale, our growing involvement in numerous regional and global formats demonstrates Poland’s sense of shared responsibility for Europe and the world. Our goal is to enhance our country’s position on the international scene, strengthen the impact of its economy in the international system and protect our nationals abroad. Foreign Service Day provides an excellent opportunity to provide wider audiences with insights into selected aspects of modern Polish diplomacy, which are not commonly known to the public.

This year again, due to coronavirus pandemic restrictions, we had to give up the tradition of organising the MFA’s Open Day. Nevertheless, please feel welcome to browse the online materials and events that have been prepared for this year’s celebrations. We hope to meet you on the MFA’s Open Day next year.

Join us in celebrating Foreign Service Day.

 

Łukasz Jasina

MFA Spokesperson

 

Photo: Tymon Markowski / MFA