Some Things Polish A Presentation 18 November 2005

Where is Poland? A. In Europe B. In Central Europe C. In Eastern Europe

D. All of the Above

How big is Poland? A. Ugly Small B. So-So C. Pretty big D. About the size of New Mexico

D. About the size of New Mexico

Population Population: 38,635,144 (July 2005 est.) Median age: total: years male: years female: years (2005 est.) Population growth rate: 0.03% (2005 est.) "Poland." The World Factbook Central Intelligence Agency, Answers.com 11 Nov

Population Infant mortality rate: total: 8.51 deaths/1,000 live births male: 9.59 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: years male: 70.3 years female: years (2005 est.) Total fertility rate:1.39 children born/woman (2005 est.) "Poland." The World Factbook Central Intelligence Agency, Answers.com 11 Nov

Diversity & Development Ethnic groups : Polish 96.7%, German 0.4%, Belarusian 0.1%, Ukrainian 0.1%, other and unspecified 2.7% (2002 census) Religions : Roman Catholic 89.8% (about 75% practicing), Eastern Orthodox 1.3%, Protestant 0.3%, other 0.3%, unspecified 8.3% (2002) Languages : Polish 97.8%, other and unspecified 2.2% (2002 census) Literacy : age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.8% male: 99.8% female: 99.7% (2003 est.) " Poland." The World Factbook Central Intelligence Agency, Answers.com 11 Nov

Diversity & Development The UN Human Development Index (HDI) measures poverty, literacy, education, life expectancy, and other factors. It is a standard means of measuring well-being, especially child welfare. The index was developed in 1990 by the Pakistani economis Mahbub ul Haq, and has been used since 1993 by the United Nations Development Program in its annual report. "UN Human Development Index." Wikipedia. Wikipedia, Answers.com 11 Nov development-index

Human Development Index 2004: Poland Ranked 37th out of 177 countries. "Poland." Wikipedia. Wikipedia, Answers.com 11 Nov

Human Rights The Polish Government generally respects the human rights of its citizens; however, there have been problems in the last five years: There have been reports that police have mistreated persons in refugee camps. Prison conditions overall remain generally poor. A cumbersome legal process, poor administration, and an inadequate budget hamper the court system, and court decisions frequently are not implemented. Lengthy pretrial detention occur occasionally. The Government sometimes restricts the right to privacy. There have been a few restrictions in law and in practice on freedom of speech and of the press. Violence against women continues to be a problem. Women continue to experience serious discrimination in the labor market and are subject to various legal inequities. Child prostitution is a problem. There are incidents of desecration of graves in both Jewish and Catholic cemeteries, and anti-Semitic sentiments persisted. There is some societal discrimination and violence against ethnic minorities. Some employers have violated worker rights provided for by law, particularly in the growing private sector, and antiunion discrimination persists. Trafficking in women and children has been a problem. Source: U.S. Department of State

Human Rights continued Freedom of Speech and Press The Constitution provides for freedom of speech and of the press, and the Government generally respects this right; however, there are a few restrictions in law and practice. The Criminal Code states that an individual who "publicly insults or humiliates a constitutional institution of the Republic of Poland" is subject to a fine or imprisonment of up to 2 years, while an individual who insults a public functionary is subject to a fine or imprisonment of up to 1 year. Freedom of Religion The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government generally respects this right in practice Discrimination Based on Race, Sex, Religion, Disability, Language, or Social Status The Constitution states that "no one shall be discriminated against in political, social, or economic life for any reason whatsoever," and the Government attempts to ensure that these provisions are observed; however, violence and societal discrimination against women and ethnic minorities persisted. Source: Bureau of Public Affairs, U.S. Department of State.

Women According to the Women's Rights Center, 23 percent of women have been victims of domestic violence. According to the NGO La Strada 18 percent of married women admitted to being victims of physical abuse by their husbands. Women's organizations assert that the number of women suffering from domestic abuse is probably much higher due to the fact that battered women usually refuse to admit abuse even to themselves. Government and police statistics do not differentiate between male and female victims of violence. Physical abuse is illegal and spousal rape is treated in the same manner as other types of rape. Police intervene in cases of domestic violence. In 1998 the police, in cooperation with the State Agency for Solving Alcoholic Problems, introduced the "blue card," a record-keeping system designed to better document incidents of spousal abuse. But according to NGO's, the courts often treat domestic violence as a minor crime, pronounce lenient verdicts, or dismiss cases. In 2000 there were 2,399 rape cases reported, compared with 2,029 in 1999, and according to police statistics, the frequency of rape further increased during the year. However, NGO's reported that women often are unwilling to report the crime and estimate that the actual number of rapes is 10 times higher than that reported. Source: Bureau of Public Affairs, U.S. Department of State.

Children The Constitution extends some state protection to the family and children. Education is universal and mandatory until age 18, and public schools are free. The Government sponsors some health programs targeted specifically at children, including a vaccination program and periodic checkups conducted in the schools; however, budget shortfalls prevent complete implementation of these programs. Although it occurs, there is no societal pattern of child abuse. The law prohibits violence against children. A provision of the Criminal Code provides that those who physically or psychologically abuse a juvenile may receive a prison sentence of 3 months to 5 years. However, abuse rarely is reported, and convictions for child abuse also are rare. In addition there are no procedures in schools to protect children from abuse by teachers; the teachers' work code provides legal immunity from prosecution for the use of corporal punishment in classrooms. Source: Bureau of Public Affairs, U.S. Department of State.

“U Siemachy” A Youth Center in Krakow, Poland Summer 2005

Food/Jedzenie

And the new President is… Lech Kaczyński

Jeszcze Polska nie zginela Kiedy my zyjemy. Co nam obca przemoc wziela Szabla odbierzemy.” “Poland is not yet lost While we still live. What the foe by force has taken from us, With sword we will regain.”

The End/Koniec