Q: This coming December the city of Poznań will be hosting the United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC) and the annual Conference of the highest decision making authorities of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (COP 14). The conference in Poznan - to be held between 1 and 12 December - will be a milestone on the road towards reaching agreement on legislation which is to enter into force in 2012. Are the authorities and inhabitants of the city aware of the significance of these two events?
A: The people of Poznań are certainly aware of the importance of these international events. Poznań has been not without reason considered as the capital of Polish ecology. For many years now events have been held in this city to promote ecological solutions and interest as well as attendance of these has been growing. Awareness among society has also been rising consistently of the need to protect the natural environment. In the run up to UNFCCC and COP 14 this city has declared this year the "Year of Climate and Environment”. Specialised conferences, exhibitions, debates and happenings are held to discuss issues resulting from global warming as well as the possibilities of much wider use of renewable energy sources in this region of Wielkopolska. These events are to convince the residents to change their habits and increase the ecological awareness for their own benefit and also for that of their children.
Q: Would you agree that ecological awareness in Poznań stems also from the fact that this city has long been the site of the POLEKO: International Trade Fair for Environmental Protection…
A: Yes, I think so. This year’s POLEKO Fair at end of October will be held for the 20th time. It will focus on earth-climate related technologies, a topic to be the subject of the forthcoming UN Framework Conference on Climate Change. POLEKO is the largest fair of its kind in all Europe – 1000 exhibitors from 21 countries took part last year.
Q: I understand that Poznań is well prepared to host such big events …..
A: It is. Poznań is renowned world-wide as a regional trade fair centre with a fine and established traditions. Located in the city are more than 300 conference halls. Faciltities are available at the congress centre at the site of the Poznań International Trade Fair to arrange a meeting of 10,000 people at one time and one place. About 3,000 meetings and conferences of all sizes are held in this city each single year.
A: But Poznań is not just a city of fairs…..
Q: The city is more than that. For one, it is also a major business and commercial centre worth investing capital in. Over the years, many international corporations have set foot in this city and are operating successfully. Many are expanding. The latest extension of the Bridgestone tyre factory, the Unilever consumer goods factory and Volkswagen are some examples. Poznań is a large education centre with several hundred thousand students availing themselves of the opportunities there. The city is also a major cultural centre with plenty on offer in theatres, museums, art galleries, the philharmonic hall, and cultural centres. It is also renowned as the site of international music festivals.