The twentieth anniversary of fundamental market reforms in Poland : What have weachieved; what have we learnt?

Abstract

Th e second festival Days of Poznań University of Economics (PUE) marking the anniversary of granting the university status took place on 20–21 January 2010. Th e PUE Days 2010 was a special event as the celebration coincided with the twentieth anniversary of the introduction of fundamental economic reforms in Poland. Th e PUE welcomed a special guest – Professor Leszek Balcerowicz, a holder of the PUE honorary doctorate, the prime author of the stabilization program and the former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance in charge of economic policy in the government of Tadeusz Mazowiecki twenty years ago. Professor Balcerowicz delivered a lecture on “Economic transformation in Eastern Europe: Conclusions aft er 20 years of experience”, and held a meeting with students during which he talked about the current economic crisis and its impact on the Polish economy. Professor Marian Gorynia, the President of the University, chaired a debate in the main Auditorium entitled “Polish economic transformation 20 years later” during the PUE Days. Th e speakers included Professors Bogusław Fiedor, Stanisław Gomułka, Krzysztof Jajuga, Tadeusz Kowalski, Witold Orłowski, and Andrzej Wojtyna. An exhibition presented publications by the PUE researchers focused on the market reforms of 1989–1990 was also held in the main University building.