When the world gets closer.

We help you see farther.

Sign up to our expressly international daily newsletter.

Already a subscriber? Log in.

You've reach your limit of free articles.

Get unlimited access to Worldcrunch

You can cancel anytime.

SUBSCRIBERS BENEFITS

Ad-free experience NEW

Exclusive international news coverage

Access to Worldcrunch archives

Monthly Access

30-day free trial, then $2.90 per month.

Annual Access BEST VALUE

$19.90 per year, save $14.90 compared to monthly billing.save $14.90.

Subscribe to Worldcrunch
GAZETA WYBORCZA

Refugees, The Moral Failure Of Poland's Leaders

The recent visit by Pope Francis highlighted how little Polish leaders care about the emergency of Europe's refugee crisis.

Anti-immigration protests in Warsaw last February
Anti-immigration protests in Warsaw last February
Jakub Halcewicz

-OpEd-

WARSAW — The current Polish government is not fit to have talks with the leaders of the modern world — be it Barack Obama or Pope Francis.

While on board his plane to Poland for last month's World Youth Day celebration, the pope told journalists — not for the first time — that "the world is at war" because it has lost the way to peace. Can he count on the Polish people as allies to find that peace?

During his first speech at Wawel Castle in Kraków, Francis said the world needs "a spirit of readiness to welcome those fleeing from wars and hunger, and solidarity with those deprived of their fundamental rights, including the right to profess one's faith in freedom and safety."

Now let's go back to reality. Our reality.

Are we Poles and the Polish political elite ready to accept those people fleeing from wars and hunger? We are one of the biggest European Union countries — for many, a symbol of freedom and democracy regained, belonging to the happy and wealthy part of the world. Are we aware of the responsibility that this entails?

Unfortunately, it's highly doubtful. The refugee crisis did not begin yesterday, yet until now we as a country and as citizens did not do much to prepare for it, or in any way tried to resolve it. During parliamentary debate over the past four years, development assistance has barely ever been mentioned (as verified by the fact-checking website MamPrawoWiedzieć). Not once did members of Parliament discuss the main aim of the development assistance, which is fighting poverty.

Under the current government, anger towards foreigners has multiplied, and our involvement in crisis solution has been nearly non-existent. At a global conference aimed at helping territories around Syria hosting refugees, we pledged less financial assistance than Hungary, the Czech Republic or Slovakia. And the Polish officials sometimes explain that instead of accepting refugees, they should be helped at places from which they are coming.

On his recent trip here, the pope tried to bring us closer to the problems of war, refugees and migration. Regardless of how we interpret his words, he said much worth remembering. President Andrzej Duda and his government have thus far shared no insights into how Poland can take part in resolving the problems of Europe and the world. Perhaps there isn't any plan to do so.

Luckily a country is something more than just the government. Francis urged young people to get involved and try to change the status quo. ""People may judge you to be dreamers, because you believe in a new humanity, one that rejects hatred between peoples, one that refuses to see borders as barriers and can cherish its own traditions without being self-centered or small-minded. Don't be discouraged."" What will Poland do now that the pope has returned to Rome?

You've reached your limit of free articles.

To read the full story, start your free trial today.

Get unlimited access. Cancel anytime.

Exclusive coverage from the world's top sources, in English for the first time.

Insights from the widest range of perspectives, languages and countries.

food / travel

Bogus Honey, Olive Oil Remix: How Fraudulent Foods Spread Around The World

What you have in your plate isn't always what you think it is. As food counterfeiting increases in the food industry and in our daily lives, some products are more likely to be "fake", and it's up to consumers to be careful.

Image of honey

Honey

Arwin Neil Baichoo / Unsplash
Marine Béguin

All that glitters isn't gold – and all that looks yummy isn't necessarily the real deal.

Food fraud or food counterfeiting is a growing concern in the food industry. The practice of substituting or adulterating food products for cheaper, lower quality or even harmful ingredients not only deceives consumers but can pose serious health risks.

Here's an international look at some of the most widespread fake foods – from faux olive oil to counterfeit seafood and even fraudulent honey.

Keep reading...Show less

You've reached your limit of free articles.

To read the full story, start your free trial today.

Get unlimited access. Cancel anytime.

Exclusive coverage from the world's top sources, in English for the first time.

Insights from the widest range of perspectives, languages and countries.

Already a subscriber? Log in.

You've reach your limit of free articles.

Get unlimited access to Worldcrunch

You can cancel anytime.

SUBSCRIBERS BENEFITS

Ad-free experience NEW

Exclusive international news coverage

Access to Worldcrunch archives

Monthly Access

30-day free trial, then $2.90 per month.

Annual Access BEST VALUE

$19.90 per year, save $14.90 compared to monthly billing.save $14.90.

Subscribe to Worldcrunch

The latest