The President of Poland has presented Marek Szablewski, Professor of Physics at Durham University, with a prestigious national award for services to the Polish Scouting Association, which operates outside of Poland.
Professor Szablewski was awarded the Order of Polonia Restituta at a ceremony at the Polish Presidential Palace in Warsaw in July. Similar to an MBE in the UK, the Polonia Restituta is Poland's second-highest civilian state award.
Professor Szablewski was given the award to recognise his voluntary work with the Polish Scouting Association. He’s currently President of the Association which operates from outside Poland in 14 countries across four continents with around 7,000 members.
Professor Szablewski said: “This award is a wonderful recognition of our scouting organisation, and of all the hundreds of volunteer leaders and helpers around the world who give up their time for the good of young people.
“Personally, it’s not something I ever expected to receive and I’m still very pleasantly surprised! It feels like the culmination of many years work and receiving the award at the Presidential Palace was particularly poignant for me.
“My mother, grandmother and uncle, along with other Polish civilians, took refuge in the air raid shelter beneath the palace when Warsaw was bombed at the start of the war in 1939.”
The Polish Scouting Association organises activities across the world, including camps, jamborees and meetings for children and young people of Polish heritage. The association fosters teamwork, resilience, leadership, practical skills and knowledge of Polish culture, history and traditions.
Marek has worked with the Association for over 40 years. Recently he participated in activities and visit groups including the Association’s 10th World Jamboree in North Carolina in 2024, which welcomed over 1,200 participants.
Professor Karen O’Brien, Vice-Chancellor and Warden, has congratulated Professor Szablewski: “Marek’s extensive work with the Scouting movement, supporting so many young people to develop skills and knowledge for life, is highly deserving of this prestigious national award.”
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