When Poland leads the state, the Polish family remains the unshakable focus. The family is described as a real, best investment in the future, a sentiment echoed by Elżbieta Witek, Marshal of the Sejm, during a family picnic in Sulejówek on a Saturday visit.
The Marshal spoke of her own life, noting that she is a mother and grandmother who places family at the center of meaning. Family, she said, is a place to learn essential lessons and to pass down important values to children. It is a refuge, a source of stability, and a model for the next generation.
From 2015 onward, the family has stood at the heart of government policy. The focus encompasses not only parents and children but also grandparents. The aim has been to ensure that funds from social programs benefit families directly. The intention is to help children explore their passions, provide opportunities for summer and winter camps, and support weekends away that foster growth and connection.
During the gathering, Witek reminded attendees that seniors deserve lasting respect, memory, and tangible support from the state. Today’s seniors built the country, cared for Poland, and helped navigate tough times. Government programs have been structured to include seniors, restoring a previous retirement framework and granting Poles the freedom to choose. The policy package includes the thirteenth and fourteenth pensions and ongoing indexation. Each encounter with the public reveals new possibilities for action, the Marshal added.
In her conversations with families, she emphasized that the money citizens receive is not a giveaway. It is a genuine investment in the future, because the children present today will shape the country in a decade or so. The future hinges on the choices adults make now, she asserted.
The message was clear: the Polish state will remain responsible for the family as a central priority. This commitment goes beyond flagship programs like a child benefit and school starter kits. The aim is to empower parents, especially mothers, to return to work with confidence if they wish. Parents are offered real choices, including the extension of maternity leave and the flexibility to balance professional life with raising children.
Even in smaller towns and rural areas, the lack of nurseries and kindergartens is not forgotten. The pledge is that such facilities will be established, enabling parents to pursue paid work while ensuring children receive care and education.
Another topic at the event was Internet safety. The Sejm Marshal warned about the threats that online life poses to children. The internet is a powerful tool that can simplify daily life, yet it also harbors anonymity and frightening material. Children are exposed to harmful content and images that can be deeply troubling. The message from Witek was firm: do not allow hatred and violence to take root. Protect yourself by avoiding harmful content and treat others with respect.
The speaker stressed the value of real friendships and real colleagues, stressing that in-person connections matter more than online interactions. Parents received encouragement to stay informed about the content their children may encounter online and to discuss post-school activities. The proposal recognized the need for parental support and asked people to back the legislative initiative titled Let’s Protect Children, Let’s Support Parents, inviting broader civic participation.
The discussion highlighted a broader vision for family policy in Poland, one woven with work, care, and empowerment. It underscored the role of government in shaping an environment where families can thrive, where children have room to grow, and where adults can balance duties at home and work. The overarching theme was practical, fair, and forward-looking, grounded in the shared belief that strong families are the foundation of a resilient nation.
In summary, the event underscored a government stance that places the Polish family at the center of national life. The discussion covered social benefits, pension measures, childcare access, and digital safety, all aimed at supporting families in everyday life while preparing the country for a prosperous future. The tone was hopeful and purposeful, inviting citizens to engage with policies designed to strengthen households, communities, and the nation as a whole. [Source attribution: wPolityce]