IIPP Alumna Weronika Sarnowska's journey into Politics — Interview

IIPP Alumna Weronika Sarnowska is running for the Polish Parliament (Sejm) in the next general elections in Poland in October 2023. In this interview, she discusses the motivations, challenges and inspiring learning that have led her to undertake a political career.

Interview with IIPP Alumna, Weronika Sarnowska

Why are you running for the Parliament (Sejm)?

Because I have the energy for change! The socially regressive direction that Poland has taken in the last eight years saddens and angers me. At the same time, there is a huge disconnect between the society’s views and the right-wing politicians. The society is way more progressive than the current anti-EU, repressive government. There is so much positive energy and hope bubbling under the surface. People want change. They want freedom. I lived abroad for many years, which gave me the opportunity to observe Poland from the outside. That’s why I am convinced that Poland is a country of resourceful people, full of energy, ideas, and a desire to take action for change. However, to fully utilise our potential, we need a new progressive government and an effective, entrepreneurial, friendly, just, and empathetic state. That’s what I want to fight for in the Sejm.

You talk about an efficient and empathetic state. You have experience in local administration, but in the British context. What does efficiency mean in practice?

An efficient, modern, entrepreneurial, and empathetic administration is one that places the experience of users — the citizens — at the centre of its actions. User experience is a method of designing services and products based on an understanding of the needs of those who use them. That’s how I worked in Camden, one of the boroughs in London. Another aspect is the use of agile project management methodologies. This approach involves rapid testing and implementation of pilot projects and the philosophy that is better to start small and learn quickly from mistakes. This approach leads to cost savings — we test solutions on a small scale before implementing costly programs — and we can do it faster than in traditional approaches.

How has your time at IIPP influenced this choice, and what are the most valuable learnings that you have taken with you?

It made a huge impact on my decision. I felt extremely privileged about obtaining a scholarship to study at the IIPP in 2019, in the first-ever year of the IIPP Master in Public Administration. The relationships, the opportunities and the knowledge that it provided me with made me feel confident enough to run for Parliament at the age of 31. I want the Polish bureaucracy to be creative; I want Polish public services to be co-designed with citizens! All of these plans would not have emerged had it not been for the MPA.

During your year of studies, the pandemic broke out.

That’s when I started working with Camden’s strategy department on the response to the pandemic crisis. That’s how I ended up at Camden Council, where I worked in the Strategy and Design department.

What did your work at the Camden’s Strategy Department entail in practice?

I dealt with topics like digital exclusion, rising living costs, housing unavailability, discrimination, and even preparations for Brexit! I conducted research and co-design activities with residents. I coordinated work with various units within the council, from those dealing with social housing to public health and waste disposal teams. Daily work with residents and employees from different teams required empathy and listening skills.

What did you bring back to Poland?

I want to use these experiences in Poland. Working in London was a fantastic adventure, but I’m interested in applying what I’ve learned in Poland — at the local and national levels — in the Sejm.

You’ve been in Poland for only a few months, and you’re already running for the Sejm. Isn’t it too soon?

I’ve been active as an activist since I was 25 years old. My involvement began with preparing and participating in demonstrations — for example, in defence of independent courts — and collecting signatures for citizen initiatives — such as the women’s rights initiative “Let’s Save Women.” When senior citizens I met on the street during signature collections thanked me for my work, I felt that this was a cause worth fighting for! While living in London, I organised demonstrations outside the Polish embassy in response to the death of Iza from Pszczyna and police oppression of the LGBTQ community. However, many issues cannot be resolved through street protests alone. That’s why I’m running for the Sejm.

In your campaign, you talk about neighbourhoods and the need to build local communities. Is there room for locality in national politics?

My campaign slogan is “Energy for Change.” I believe that change starts locally, from the grassroots, in our closest communities. Local actions and the “big” national politics are interconnected. As citizens at the local level, we learn to organize, cooperate, build relationships, and gain experience working together for change, even on a small scale, such as creating bike paths or improving sidewalks. We also learn how to influence politicians and demand solutions to our issues.

What do you want to work on in the Sejm?

My vision encompasses five areas: a job market that is friendly to both young and older individuals, tailored to the needs of workers as well as small and medium-sized businesses. A housing market where long-term, stable rental housing is available. Equality of rights and opportunities regardless of gender, who you love, and personal choices, along with a modern, digitised, and efficient public administration, inspired by Camden. That’s the Poland I dream of!

How will the residents of Bielany benefit from having a Member of Parliament from Bielany?

Housing prices in Warsaw, including our district, are rising at an alarming rate. Therefore, my priority is the availability of state-built apartments for long-term rent as an alternative to increasingly inaccessible mortgages. In Bielany, there are over 40,000 people over the age of 60 — responsible senior policy is crucial for them. I believe that these are the proposals of the Left — including the second indexation of pensions and benefits when inflation exceeds 5%, prescription drugs for 5 PLN, widow’s pension. In the urban context, I also value climate adaptation and the protection of urban nature and biodiversity. I’m inspired by Bielany’s “de-concrete” courtyards program and the community’s care for Bielański Forest.

On October 15, we’ll find you on the Left’s list, under what number…

Number 19 on the Left’s list, in Warsaw and abroad.

Good luck!