International Symposium “Multicultural Individuals in a Globalizing World” at WSB University in Warsaw

WSB University hosted the international symposium “Multicultural Individuals in a Globalizing World”, held at the University's Warsaw campus, located on the eighth floor of the Palace of Culture and Science. The event was organised by Dr. hab. Iga Lehman, Professor at WSB University, and Prof. Mike Szymański from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The symposium was also attended by representatives of the WSB University authorities: Prof. Łukasz Sułkowski, President of WSB University, and Prof. Joanna Kurowska-Pysz, Deputy Head of the Doctoral School.

The symposium programme focused on issues related to multicultural identities, the ethical dimensions of living and working across multiple cultures, acculturation processes, the careers of individuals operating in multiple cultural contexts, migrants’ returns to their countries of origin, and their reintegration.

The event brought together 20 researchers from Poland, Germany, Israel, China, and the United States, representing various academic disciplines and research institutions. Participants also included distinguished scholars from leading universities around the world, including Prof. Christoph Barmeyer (Universität Passau), Prof. Günter K. Stahl (WU Vienna University of Economics and Business), Prof. Markus Pudelko (University of Tübingen), Prof. Carmit Tadmor (Tel Aviv University), and Prof. Yih-Teen Lee (IESE Business School, University of Navarra). Their participation underscored the international character of the event and created a unique platform for the exchange of knowledge and the development of international research collaboration.

An important part of the programme consisted of open panel discussions addressed to WSB University doctoral students and participants of the Executive MBA postgraduate programme. These sessions provided participants with an opportunity to engage in discussions with an international group of experts on contemporary challenges in multiculturalism research, academic career development, and the practical aspects of diversity management in organisations. The panels constituted an important element in disseminating research findings and strengthening cooperation between the academic community and management practice.

This was the second edition of the international initiative, originally launched at the University of Passau under the title “Opportunities and Challenges of Multiculturalism at the Individual Level”, organised by Prof. Christoph Barmeyer, Dr. Elisabeth Huber, and Prof. Luciara Nardon from Carleton University in Ottawa. This year's edition was conceived as a forum initiating a new stage of multiculturalism research—a place where an international group of scholars jointly identified the most significant research challenges, developed new theoretical and methodological perspectives, and set the directions for future research projects.