The discussion about the role and meaning of the cooperation between Gdańsk and Scandinavian countries, as well as building of a strategic partnership element on the North-South axis in the form of Poland’s cooperation with the states of Scandinavia – these are the main topics of the Jagiellonian Club’s meeting in Olivia Business Centre, which was held on the July 4.

The meeting was led by Bogusław Wieczorek, the representative of the Jagiellonian Club in Gdańsk, while Krzysztof Mazur, PhD, President of the Jagiellonian Club, opened it with his speech.

Next, Adam Balcer, the author of the Jagiellonian Club Analysis Centre’s report: “Turn to the North! Opportunities and obstacles in cooperation with Scandinavian countries”, presented the main theses of his publication concerning strategic analysis of the importance of Poland, Pomerania and Gdańsk in this context.

Poland should establish strategic partnership with the countries of the Nordic Council as its natural allies – said Balcer – Taking such a course results from the changes taking place in Europe and in the world: strengthening the cooperation between euro-zone countries, growing importance of Russia, as well as Poland’s need to make a “modernisation jump”.

Balcer also noticed that recently Poland has intensified its cooperation with Scandinavian countries. However, if we compare it with the cooperation with the Visegrad Group countries, this relation still remains in the shadow. Meanwhile, there are many reasons not to neglect Scandinavian direction – for example cooperation in the scope of innovation, in energy sector or administration.

The next subject on the agenda was a discussion panel held by Marcin Kędzierski, PhD, the Programme Director of the Jagiellonian Club Analysis Centre. The conversation revolved around the question about the role which Gdańsk should play in opening Poland up to Scandinavia, as well as challenges which will be waiting for Pomerania and Gdańsk in the nearest future, when it comes to the cooperation with Scandinavian countries.

The following guests took part in the discussion: Andrzej Bojanowski – former Vice President of Gdańsk for economic affairs (2009-2017), Maciej Grabski – Olivia Business Center’s investor in Gdańsk, Magdalena Markiewicz, PhD – an associate dean of the Faculty of Economy at the University of Gdańsk for the development and business cooperation, Michał Stąporek – Deputy Editor in Chief of Trójmiasto.pl. The representatives of local and regional authorities, as well as representatives of academic circles and business were also invited to the discussion. Participants paid special attention to the significance of closer relations with the representatives of Baltic Sea region countries on many levels. Emphasis was also put on the significance of the exchange of knowledge and experience in the scope of education and innovation in business and tourism.

“Turn to the North!” report is fully available here.

The Jagiellonian Club – a Polish association and social-political think tank with conservative and republican profile, established in 1989 in Cracow. The Club aims at supporting and spreading the republican way of thinking about Poland and world. The organisation was established in 1989, shortly after finishing the Round Table Talks, and it acquired legal personality in 1994. Currently, the Club is a Polish nationwide organisation, which conducts educational, expert, journalistic activities and implements civil political initiatives.

In its activities the Club refers to the heritage of First and Second Republic of Poland, the “Solidarity” movement and Christian thought and philosophy. According to the Preamble of Articles of Association, the mission of the Jagiellonian Club is to act for welfare and benefit of the Republic of Poland, as well as to multiply spiritual, intellectual and political heritage of Poland, taking care of common good, justice, responsibility, entrepreneurship and respect for tradition and religion.

Expert activity within the scope of the Jagiellonian Club Analysis Centre is conducted in a spirit of respect for four fundamental values: freedom, ownership, community and tradition.

On Thursday, July 6, the fourth edition of the meeting of expats living in the Tri-City from the 3 camp powered by Interizon series took place. The event was organized by the Pomeranian ICT Cluster Interizon in the Gallery of Various Arts. The event was a partnership between Olivia Business Centre and the Gdańsk Tourist Organisation, which gave foreign guests a very practical gift – vouchers for the Tourist Card.

This edition was unique compared to the previous ones, because this time foreigners were shown what a fantastic place they live in. Due to the limited number of places, only 20 people took part in the event. The participants came from, among others, Great Britain, France, Russia, Ukraine and Croatia. This group also included representatives of the community of Residents of Olivia Business Centre, m.in. from Amazon and PwC, who decided to tie their lives to the Tri-City.

The participants of the meeting were captivated by the fantastic atmosphere, the uniqueness of the place and the multitude of inspirations provided by the representatives of the Gdańsk artistic community, such as Maciej Kosycarz and Magdalena Beneda.

Both artists presented their career stories along with the context of development in the area of business and connections with new media and new technologies, which facilitate the development of relationships and social contacts, including the possibility of building reach to recipients and customers.

Maciej Kosycarz talked about the history of the creation of extraordinary photographs of Gdańsk, from his archive, as well as from an unusual collection of photos taken by his father Zbigniew. On the other hand, Magdalena Beneda, an artist, painter and graphic artist, who manages to combine art with business, presented her own collection of unique paintings, porcelain and fabrics with motifs of monuments and the most important places on the map of Gdańsk.

We believe that the 4th edition of the 3camp powered by Interizon meeting allowed to build new relationships between members of the international IT community, which, according to the motto “Nothing that started yesterday ends up today!”, will be lasting and will help participants develop their professional lives.

The next edition
of Summer Under the Palm Trees
is behind us! This time we refreshed ourselves to the sounds of the amazing
Jacek Kulesza’s
music and made new friends while waiting for refreshing juices. Once again, there was a vote for what you would like to have in the garden – this time there was a duel between hammocks and deckchairs,
the hammocks won
. Thank you all very much for coming and we invite you next Thursday for more surprises!

Our summer campaign aims to bring closer the idea of our

Garden, which grows in the very heart of Olivia:) During the day, the over 1000-square-meter Garden, filled with greenery, is to serve as a place for meetings, relaxation and workshop space, and in the evenings it will serve as a center of social and artistic events, also dedicated to the residents of the Tri-City.

We invite you to see the photos:

On Thursday, July 6, the 4^th edition of the meeting of expats who live in Tricity was held as part of 3 camp powered by Interizon. The event was organised by Pomeranian ICT Cluster Interizon in Galeria Sztuki Rozmaitnych. Olivia Business Centre and Gdańsk Tourism Organisation, which handed a very practical gift to the foreign guests – Tourist Card vouchers, were the partners of the event.

This edition was unique in comparison with previous ones because this time foreign guests were shown how fantastic the place they live in is. Due to a limited number of seats, only 20 people could participate in the event. Participants came, among other countries, from: Great Britain, France, Russia, Ukraine and Croatia. Among these guests there were also the representatives of Olivia Business Centre Residents’ community, among others from Amazon and PwC, who decided to spend their lives in Tricity.

Participants were captivated by a wonderful atmosphere, uniqueness of place and multitude of inspirations from the representatives of Gdańsk artistic milieu – Maciej Kosycarz and Magdalena Beneda.

Both artists presented their own career histories together with the context of development in the area of business and relations with new media and new technologies, which facilitate the development of social relations and contacts, including the development of ways to reach recipients and clients.

Maciej Kosycarz told about the history of unique photos of Gdańsk from his archive, as well as from an unusual collection of photos taken by his father Zbigniew. While Magdalena Beneda – artist, painter and graphic designer, who knows how to combine art with business, presented her authorial collection of unique paintings, porcelain and fabrics with the motives of historical buildings and the most important places on the map of Gdańsk.

We believe that the 4^th edition of 3camp powered by Interizon meeting enabled to build new relations between members of international IT community, which, according to the slogan ” Nothing that started yesterday ends up today!”, will be long-lasting and will help participants develop their professional life.

Searching, as well as continuous development of passion is a very important issue in every person’s life. If we follow our passion, we can live fuller, wiser and, for sure, more interesting life. However, to see the effects of such actions, you need to start in a right way and as soon as possible. That is why, we would like to tell you about a boy, whose engagement prepossessed us so much, that we decided to introduce him to our entire Olivia Business Centre community.

This story begins many months ago, when, among the audience of Olivia Camerata chamber music, we met a 13-year old boy. He, without any help, found information about the possibility to participate in the event, he registered via e-mail (nowadays it is much easier than in the past :)) and… appeared in Olivia Sky Club. Seemingly, ordinary behaviour, but – taking into account the fact that information on Camerata’s concerts is published on selected websites and our hero is only 13 – we should appreciate both the fact that he reached it, as well as that finding the announcement at the right time and in the right place (which is rarely visited by teenagers) helped match many elements 😉

This way, Mateusz Chaj (because he is the hero of this story) became a regular participant of events, meetings and conferences organised in Olivia Business Centre. Since admission to the majority of them is free (although registration is required), there is no age limit. That is why, Mateusz took an active part in such projects as Olivia Cooltura’s meetings with Marek Kamiński and Maciej Kosycarz or Jagiellonian Club, during which the role and meaning of the cooperation between Gdańsk and Scandinavian countries were discussed. It is a broad and diversified range of topics and activities, taking into account both the age of our hero and his basic activities at school. If we add also signing up to OBC team and cycling for Gdańsk as part of “Cycle in May”, we have a nearly complete picture of Mateusz – a person with many passions.

We decided to appreciate and distinguish Mateusz’s incredible involvement in the development of our community, also because we think that proactive attitude is one of the most important attributes of everyone who wants to create their future successfully. We are also very glad that Mateusz’s family accepted our invitation to Olivia Business Centre and that we could get to know better the boy, for whom openness and curiosity about the world are a standard and who wants to and can bravely enjoy the surrounding world (what is more he covered for us nearly 560 kilometres) 🙂

This is what Mateusz said about Olivia Business Centre during our meeting: – I like this place. I like it for many interesting events in which I can participate. I began with concerts of classical music. I also participate in meetings with famous people in Sky Club. I am always very curious about what they are going to say and Olivia Business Centre even gives me a chance to talk to them. Maybe one day I will be working here. Besides, I expected that Olivia Business Centre will be the best in terms of kilometres covered. Anyway, we achieved good results. I hope that next year they will be better – he added with smile on his face.

We want Olivia Business Centre to be a friendly meeting place for different environments and people. That is why, we are trying to create optimal conditions for personal and professional development, as well as to support people in creating new activities or developing their passions. Our events, meetings, conferences (several hundred a year!) are addressed not only to Olivia’s employees, but also all Tricity residents. The example of Mateusz can be for sure an inspiration for everyone, who is looking for ways and conceptions of how to develop their potential and talents.

– It is very motivating for us that such a young boy, Mateusz who is now fourteen, even now puts a lot of hope in pursuing his career in Olivia. We don’t know what his life will look like and which choices he will make, but we have noticed and decided to recognise his today’s involvement, passion, openness and continuing determination to learn. He is a unique young person. Mateusz loves cycling, that is why we presented him with a new bike – says Monika Bogdanowicz from Olivia Business Centre, who is responsible, among other things, for CSR area in the company.

– Our entire family was invited to Olivia Business Centre. It was a great astonishment and a huge surprise for us! Mateusz has always been interested in many unobvious subjects and has always taken part in various near and far expeditions and trips. I am glad that his passion for meeting interesting people and cycling has been noticed and distinguished with such a beautiful gift. I think that he will be cycling with confidence that it is worth doing more. For yourself and others – adds Małgorzata Chaj, Mateusz’s mother.

See the photo gallery from the meeting:

Taking advantage of the proximity of Olivia Business Centre to the sea, we have prepared a unique offer for the growing community of our centre – the Olivia Yacht Club. As part of it, we returned m.in. to the formula of popular and practical meetings led by Mateusz Kusznierewicz, Olympic champion and world champion in sailing. The first training and regatta took place on 5 September.

On that day, in the late afternoon, a group of almost forty Olivia Business Centre Residents met at the National Sailing Centre in Gdańsk. In one of the conference rooms, the participants of the meeting listened carefully to the words of Mateusz Kusznierewicz, who explained the basic rules of the regatta and gave practical tips.

After a short briefing and getting acquainted with the basic rules of the regatta, the participants divided into crews and, under the supervision of instructors, started rigging yachts. The meeting was attended by people of various levels of advancement, including complete beginners. However, there was at least one person on board with experience as a helmsman.

After practicing the basic manoeuvres, the five-minute signal was given for the start of the first race. The route was simple, we had to go around the port side of the buoy and pass the starting line again. The regatta went smoothly, safely and in a friendly atmosphere, which is best evidenced by the smiling faces of our sailors.

Unfortunately, after four races, we had to return to the port to make it before dark. In the end, the crew of yacht no. 8 turned out to be the best, scoring the same number of points as the crew of yacht no. 5, but finishing the last race in a higher position.

” I’m very proud of you ,” said Mateusz Kusznierewicz at the end. – With each race you started better and better, and in the last one the time difference between the first and last crew on the starting line was less than a minute.

The meetings at the National Sailing Centre will last until winter. The next joint sailing is planned for October. But it doesn’t stop there. At the beginning of 2018 at Olivia Business Centre, theoretical meetings will begin with a course that will enable obtaining a patent. Judging by the reaction of the participants, the group of sailors in Olivia may soon grow significantly.

We invite you to test your strength, more information and registration at: yachtclub@oliviacentre.com.

Taking advantage of the fact that Olivia Business Centre is situated not far away from the sea, we have prepared a unique offer for the growing community of our centre – Olivia Yacht Club. Within its framework we came back to, for example, the form of popular and practical meetings led by Mateusz Kusznierewicz, the Olympic champion and world champion in sailing. First training and regatta took place on September 5.

This day, late afternoon, a group of nearly forty Olivia Business Centre Residents met in the National Sailing Centre in Gdańsk. In one of the conference rooms, participants listened carefully to Mateusz Kusznierewicz’s words, who was explaining basic regatta’s rules and gave practical tips.

After a short briefing and getting acquainted with basic regatta’s rules, participants divided into teams and started to rig their yachts under the supervision of instructors. People with skills on different levels, even complete beginners, attended the meeting. However, on every yacht there was at least one person who was experienced as a pilot.

After going through some basic manoeuvres, the signal was given, what meant that there were five minutes left till the start of the first race. The route was easy. Participants had to go round a buoy with yacht’s left port and once again pass the starting line. Regatta proceeded smoothly, safely and in friendly atmosphere – smiles on our sailors’ faces were the best proofs.

Unfortunately, after four races it was time to come back to the harbour before the dusk. Ultimately, the crew from yacht number 8 turned out to be the best. Its members scored as many points as crew number 5, but they completed the last race in higher position.

– I am very proud of you – said Mateusz Kusznierewicz in his closing speech. – Race after race you were getting better. In the last race, the time difference between first and last crew at the starting line was less than one minute.

The meetings in the National Sailing Centre will be held till winter. Another joint sailing is planned for October. However, that is not the end. At the beginning of 2018 in Olivia Business Centre, there will begin a course, which will enable you to get a sailing license. First meetings will be theoretical. Judging from participants’ reactions, the group of sailors in Olivia may become much bigger.

Try your hand, more information and registration are available on:
yachtclub@oliviacentre.com
.

A month ago, at Olivia Business Centre, we initiated a campaign to help those affected by the storms that swept through Pomerania on the night of 11 to 12 August. The districts of Kościerski, Bytów and Chojnice suffered the most. The damage in the municipalities was (and still is) enormous: torn power lines, flooding, torn roofs of houses, schools, offices… During the storms, 5 people died. According to current estimates, the effects of the cataclysm will be removed even for several years, fallen trees… by 2019 (as a result of the storm, more than 44 thousand hectares of forests were destroyed).

A few days after the catastrophe, representatives of Olivia Business Centre were present at the site in Chojnice. We talked m.in. with Inspector Adam Kuklewski from the Department of Organization and Civic Affairs of the Municipality of Chojnice and Bernadette Zimnicka, Director of the Municipal Education Team. A joint analysis of the most urgent needs resulted in the rapid purchase of a power generator, tarpaulins and saws by Olivia Business Centre, which were handed over to the representatives of the municipality a moment later. More m.in on the website of the Volunteer Fire Brigade in Charzykowy.

– We went all the way to Słupsk to buy chainsaws – says Paweł Pinker from Olivia Business Centre – There were simply not enough of them in the immediate vicinity. It is encouraging that the most important needs signalled at that time were reacted so quickly.

An issue that requires long-term action, according to the information obtained in the municipality, is the assistance to the school in Silno. The facility suffered a lot of damage, a large part of the roof was torn off, some rooms were flooded. We are still waiting for the final valuation of the damage. After receiving them, specific decisions will be made on the extent to which Olivia and her Residents can be involved in the process of rebuilding the school. It is used not only by pupils, kindergarten pupils and toddlers from grades 1-3, but also by the local community.

From the very beginning, we have also tried to involve the companies residing in our business complex in helping the victims. Individuals from Airhelp, Bayer and the company responded promptly to our appeal. Among the employees of Energi, Fujifilm and Staples , there was a min. collection of items needed by the school day-care center in Kłodawa, the school in Silo and other institutions whose pupils started the next school year in September.

On Monday, 11 September, Olivia Business Centre was visited by Zbigniew Szczepański , the mayor of the Chojnice commune and Krzysztof Gierszewski, the deputy mayor of the city of Brusy. They personally collected school supplies, including backpacks, pencil cases, office supplies, notebooks and crayons, collected by employees of the aforementioned Energa, Fujifilm and Staples.

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL DONORS!

– What else can a community like ours do for you, the municipality, for the victims? – asked Zbigniew Szczepański at the end of the meeting, which was attended by representatives of donors, Monika Bogdanowicz from Olivia Business Centre.

– You have declared your help in the reconstruction of the old, historic school in Silno, for which I am very grateful. You have also already made significant donations, which have reached the most affected at a crucial moment. Let me remind you that the storm affected, also in a material sense, as many as 1/3 of the inhabitants of our commune, which has 18 thousand people. We value this gift of the heart. Often the work of psychologists is to give hope, you are such now, give us hope – said Zbigniew Szczepański, the mayor of the Chojnice commune. – Now you are directing your help to children. This help, school starter kits, is to the point and significant. I would like to thank all the companies from the bottom of my heart, on behalf of myself and the residents.

“We are in a city that is a symbol of great solidarity, with a capital S. You are also active here. This solidarity can be seen in Olivia Business Centre. – emphasized Zbigniew Szczepański and added – DYour interest in our wonderful tourist base and your presence in the beautiful municipalities of Brusy and Chojnice will be of additional help. We need to rebuild. Our national park or Bory Tucholskie did not suffer that much. We have over 160 km of bicycle paths in the county, we have 100 lakes… And we hope that the inhabitants of the Tri-City will simply come to us for holidays, rest, holidays. Welcome. This will be an invaluable support for us.

If any of you are still interested in cooperation and help, please contact us at razem@oliviacentre.com

You can also find out more on our FB page, including:

Anyway…

A month ago, in Olivia Business Centre, we initiated the campaign which aim was to help victims of storms, which hit Pomerania in the night of 11^th to 12^th August. Kościerski, Bytowski and Chojnicki counties suffered the most. Losses in communes were (and still are) serious: destroyed power lines, flooding, roofs of houses, schools and institutions were blown off… 5 people were killed during storms. According to current estimates, it will take a few years to deal with the consequences of this natural disaster. Fallen trees will have been removed till… 2019 (as a consequence of storms more than 44 thousand hectares of forests were damaged).

Just a few days after the disaster, the representatives of Olivia Business Centre were present on the site– in Chojnice. We talked, for example, to Adam Kuklewski – an inspector from Organisational and Civil Affairs Department of Chojnice Commune and with Bernadeta Zimnicka, director of municipal educational complex. Joint analysis of the most pressing needs resulted in Olivia Business Centre’s rapid purchase of power generator, tarpaulins and saws, which a while later were handed to the representatives of the commune. More information can be found, for example, on the website of Voluntary Fire Brigade in Charzykowy.

– We went to Słupsk to buy chain saws – said Paweł Pinker from Olivia Business Centre – There were none left in the nearest neighbourhood. It is heartwarming that people reacted so fast to the most important needs that were being signalised at that time.

According to information obtained in the commune, the issue, which requires long-term measures, is helping a school in Silno. The school was seriously damaged, considerable part of the roof was blown off, some rooms were flooded. Now we are waiting for the valuation of damages. Later on, we will determine to which extent Olivia and its residents can take part in school reconstruction. Not only students, pre-school children and children from classes 1-3 benefit from the school, but also the local community.

From the start, we have tried to prompt companies residing in our business complex to help the victims. The companies responded to our appeal in a flash, some individuals from, for example Airhelp, Bayer and other enterprises did too. Among workers from Energa, Fujifilm and Staples there was organised a collection of things needed in school clubroom in Kłodawa, school in Silno and other facilities, in which students started another school year in September.

On Monday, September 11^th, Olivia Business Centre was visited by Zbigniew Szczepański, mayor of Chojnice commune and Krzysztof Gierszewski, deputy mayor of the city of Brusy. They collected school starters which included backpacks, pencil cases, office supplies, notebooks and crayons gathered by the workers of Energa, Fujifilm and Staples.

– What can such a community as ours do for you, for your commune, for the victims? – this was the question Monika Bogdanowicz from Olivia Business Centre asked Zbigniew Szczepański at the end of the meeting, in which the representatives of donors took part.

– You declared help in the reconstruction of an old, historic school in Silno and I am very grateful for that. You also gave us significant gifts, which reached the most injured victims in a key moment. I would like to remind that the storm hit, also in a material sense, 1/3 of residents of our commune, which counts 18 thousand people. We do appreciate this gift of the heart. Very often the work of psychologists consists in giving hope. You are such people right now, you give us hope – said Zbigniew Szczepański, mayor of Chojnice commune. – Now you address your help to children. This help, school starters, is on point and significant. We would like to thank all companies from the bottom of our hearts on our behalf and on behalf of our residents.

– We are in a city, which is the symbol of great solidarity. You are also active here, you function here. This solidarity can be seen in Olivia Business Centre. – emphasised Zbigniew Szczepański and added – Your interest in our great tourist accommodation and your presence in beautiful Brusy and Chojnice communes will be additional help. We have to rebuild. Our national park and the Tuchola Forest didn’t suffer that much. In our district we have more than 160 kilometres of bicycle paths, 100 lakes… We hope that Tri-City residents will be simply coming to us for their holidays or in their leisure time. You are welcome. It will be invaluable support for us.

If you are still interested in cooperation and help, please write to us on
razem@oliviacentre.com

WE THANK ALL DONORS FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS!