APSS Leads Nine-Day Educational Study Tour on Social Policy, Social Entrepreneurship, and Social Innovation in Warsaw, Poland

From 17 May to 25 May 2026, 26 APSS undergraduate students from BA (Hons) in Social Policy and Social Entrepreneurship and the BA (Hons) in Social Work participated in an educational study tour to Warsaw, Poland. This tour was led by Dr Javier PANG (Lecturer) and Dr Anna ISKRA (Research Assistant Professor). This trip offered students a unique opportunity to explore civil society, social innovation, refugee integration, urban community development, and the complex political landscape of Central Europe.

As part of the academic programme, the group visited the University of Warsaw, one of Europe's most prestigious and historical universities, and APSS’s partner in the innovative Dual Degree Programme. This engagement deepened students’ understanding of current Polish and European affairs, including migration and its humanitarian consequences, migration policy, the rule of law, and the role of civil society in democratic societies.

To bring history into sharper focus, students also visited the former Warsaw Jewish Ghetto and the Jewish Historical Institute (Żydowski Instytut Historyczny). Visits to non-governmental organisations such as Open Jazdów (Otwarty Jazdów) and Conflict Kitchen (Kuchnia Konfliktu) provided first-hand insight into the civil society and community engagement in Poland. The group also visited Kampinos National Park, which offered a moment of reflection and renewal amid the natural beauty of the park, providing a meaningful contrast to the intensity of the city-based learning experiences throughout the tour.

Together, these visits gave students a grounded perspective on how civil society organisations in Poland respond to some of the most pressing social issues of our time, while also connecting academic learning with real-world practice.