TSRG 2021

Transcultural Winter School 2021 (8th of November — 12th of November)

This year’s research project TSRG 2021 as a collaborative initiative between Leadership Excellence Institute Zeppelin and the Boym Institute continued with a Transcultural Winter School in Zeppelin University, in Friedrichshafen.

Instytut Boyma 13.12.2021

This year’s research project TSRG 2021 as a collaborative initiative between Leadership Excellence Institute Zeppelin and the Boym Institute continued with a Transcultural Winter School in Zeppelin University, in Friedrichshafen. It took place between 8th and 12th November. The trip included a series of valuable workshops that were useful not only for the current project but also for the student’s future academic work. Of course, we should also mention the Transcultural Leadership Summit 2021that took place at that time. It represents an information platform to deepen participants’ cultural knowledge and to foster mutual understanding. This year’s region, Southeast Asia, represents both opportunities and challenges, and it is gaining increasing importance. The two-day event through keynotes from experts from SEA and workshops brought more attention to the importance of this region.

During the first day, Polish participants were warmly welcomed by the organizers of the transcultural caravan and representatives of LEIZ. They were welcomed and introduced to the Zeppelin University initiative, by Jessica Geraldo Schwengber, Prof Julika Baumann Montecinos and Dr Lennart Brand. Participants also had the chance to attend a workshop led by Dr Christopher Köhler of LEIZ, entitled “Writing a Quantitative/Empirical Paper — (Many) Ways that Lead to Rome”. The first meeting ended with a nice conversation over coffee and cake before continuing with a tour of the beautiful SMH Campus of Zeppelin University. At the end of the day, thanks to the perfect weather, the students were able to enjoy the beautiful views of Lake Constance and the Alps.

The next day began early in the morning with a Keynote “ASEAN Cross-Region Cooperation: Mapping the Way Towards Identity Building” given by Prof Dafri Adussalim from ASEAN Studies Centre in Indonesia. The lecture was followed by a workshop about exploring Leadership Concepts, which was organized by Tobias Grünfelder. Another item on the agenda was an insightful workshop “Academic Writing — Book Chapter” given by Dr Dominik Fisher and Jessica Geraldo Schwengber. In the afternoon, the participants had the opportunity to visit the Zeppelin Museum, thus getting to know part of the culture and history of Friedrichshafen. The day ended with an informal gathering for dinner and conversation.

Day three was the last day on the Lake Campus. It started with a Keynote on BRI by Prof. Matthias Niedenführ. Following this great lecture, the part introducing the Transcultural Caravan Network began. It was hosted and introduced by Prof Julika Baumann Montecinos. The welcome speech was presented by Prof Josef Wieland. This was followed by an important virtual toast, a presentation of the TSRG 2021 participants and their contributions to the project. Then book launch of the TSRG 2020 was presented by their authors. The event ended with conversations over coffee and cake while talking with professors and exchanging ideas.

During the last two days, the Transcultural Leadership Summit 2021 took place. On November 11 the event officially started with a welcome by moderator Katharina Körth, an opening speech by Tobias Grünfelder and a Welcome address by Andreas Schell, the CEO at Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG. A series of keynotes on Southeast Asia followed, referring to this year’s topic of TLS: “Southeast Asia — Diversity & Digital Disruptions” by Prof Dr Christian von Lübke, “Navigating Culture and Leadership Development in Southeast Asia” given by Adirupa Sengupta, and closing this part of event Prof Josef Wieland, presenting the topic of Mitigating Risk from Cultural Complexity. Then the next part of the panel discussions took place in the following order: “Transculturality in action — How do transcultural leaders operate in Southeast Asia?” with moderator Dr Lennart Brand and speakers: Giovanni Spadaro, Nguyễn Thanh Sơn, Verena Siow; “How to prepare young leaders for cultural complexity?” moderated by Prof Dr Julika Baumann Montecinos and Annika Phuong Dinh, with panel speakers Dr Elizabeth T. Urgel, Dr Nguyen Nam, Dr Wawan Masudi. The event ended with a beautiful Indonesian Dance Performance by Freunde Indonesiens e.V. Polish students also had the opportunity to participate in the Karl Schlecht Forum about “Good Leadership”.

The last day of Transcultural Winter School was also the final day of Transcultural Leadership Summit 2021. Participants of the trip were welcomed by Indonesian Music by Freunde Indonesiens e.V., followed by two great keynotes: “Fixing the Leadership Gap in Southeast Asia” given by Vibhas Ratanjee, and “Global Literacies — Leadership Development for Global Executives” presented by Samuel M. Lam. The continuation of the day was divided into two workshop sessions, where participants could choose activities on various aspects of Southeast Asia and leadership. The trip ended with an informal meeting over diner with students and professors of LEIZ, during which participants of TSRG had the opportunity to exchange views, talk and sum up amazing memories that were gathered during TWS 2021.

czytaj więcej

Book review: “Korean Diaspora in Postwar Japan – Geopolitics, Identity and Nation-Building”

Book review of "Korean Diaspora in Postwar Japan -  Geopolitics, Identity and Nation-Building", written by Kim Myung-ja and published by I.B Tauris in 2017.

Drug and Road Initiative, that is the Silk Road of drug

This paper deals with the issue of drug business in post-Soviet Central Asia, a region that plays a key role in the trafficking of banned substances from Asia (mainly Afghanistan) to Europe. The study briefly presents the areas that make up the picture of drug business in Central Asia, paying attention to production and distribution.

Polish-Kazakh Business Forum

An interview with Mr. Meirzhan Yussupov, Chairman of the Board of the “National Company” KAZAKH INVEST” JSC - Member of the Board of Directors of the Company

Asia-Integration – Follow-up Report on Polish Policy Challenges Towards Asian Countries

The debate was the consequence of positive reactions to the open letter that the Boym Institute published in the summer of 2020. Many of its readers pointed out the necessity of broad consultations regarding the principles of the new multidimensional policy in order to reflect the diversity of perspectives, interests and conditions.

Are Polish Universities Really Victims of a Chinese Influence Campaign?

The Chinese Influence Campaign can allegedly play a dangerous role at certain Central European universities, as stated in the article ‘Countering China’s Influence Campaigns at European Universities’, (...) However, the text does ignore Poland, the country with the largest number of universities and students in the region. And we argue, the situation is much more complex.

Foreign Direct Investment in Vietnam

Thanks to continuous economic development, Vietnam attracts a record number of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). The catalyst for such a strong growth of FDI in Vietnam is not only the ongoing trade war between the US and China, but also new international agreements.

Women’s liberation in China: interview with prof. Wu Lijuan

Interview of Ewelina Horoszkiewicz with prof. Wu Lijuan - Associate Professor at the Department of Sociology at Peking University. Her research concentrates on the gender issues and social changes brought about by globalization. She wrote a book “Job Placements and Job Shifts in China: The Effects of Education, Family Background and Gender”.

Patrycja Pendrakowska for Observer Research Foundation: “The Polish example: Defending the castle in the European East”

We would like to inform, that Observer Research Foundation has published article of Patrycja Pendrakowska - the Boym Institute Analyst and President of the Board.

Polish-Macanese Artist Duo Presents New Works in Lisbon

Artist couple Marta Stanisława Sala (Poland) and Cheong Kin Man (Macau) will present their latest works in the exhibition “The Wondersome and Peculiar Voyages of Cheong Kin Man, Marta Stanisława Sala and Deborah Uhde”, on view at the Macau Museum of the Macau Scientific and Cultural Centre (CCCM) in Lisbon, from 5 June to 6 July 2025.

Short summary of events at the Boym Institute

We want the Boym Institute to become a valuable platform of exchanging views, making valuable acquaintances and, above all, deepening knowledge. Therefore, we undertake the organization of many events: debates, lectures, and conferences.

Are “Climate Refugees” (Just) About Climate?

As the awareness of the scale and pervasiveness of climate impacts on human societies keeps rising, so does the frequency with which the terms “climate refugees” and “climate migrants” are being used in the public discourse “to describe those who are being displaced due to adverse consequences related to climate change” (Atapattu, 2020).

How to deal with gender-based segregation?

Interview on the project Supporting the Economic Empowerment of Afghan Women through Education and Training in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Magdalena Sobańska-Cwalina and Krzysztof M. Zalewski (The Boym Institute) in discussion with: Yakup Beris, Johannes Stenbaek Madsen, Maria Dotsenko, Gulnar Smailova,

Online Course: “Feminism and Democracy: a Deep Dive”

The course will be taught via interactive workshops, employing the Adam Institute’s signature “Betzavta – the Adam Institute’s Facilitation Method“, taught by its creator, Dr. Uki Maroshek-Klarman. The award-winning “Betzavta” method is rooted in an empirical approach to civic education, interpersonal communication and conflict resolution.

Book review: “Europe – North Korea. Between Humanitarianism And Business?”

Book review of "Europe – North Korea. Between Humanitarianism And Business?", written by Myung-Kyu Park, Bernhard Seliger, Sung-Jo Park (Eds.) and published by Lit Verlag in 2010.

Online Course: “Conflict Resolution and Democracy”

The course will be taught via interactive workshops, employing the Adam Institute’s signature “Betzavta – the Adam Institute’s Facilitation Method“, taught by its creator, Dr. Uki Maroshek-Klarman. The award-winning “Betzavta” method is rooted in an empirical approach to civic education, interpersonal communication and conflict resolution.

Development strategies for Ulaanbaatar according to the conception for the city’s 2040 General Development Plan- part 1

In the first part of this analysis of Ulaanbaatar’s winning 2040 General Development Plan Conception (GDPC) I look into the historical preconditions for the city’s planned development as well as present the legislative climate in which works on Ulaanbaatar’s future development strategies have recently found themselves.

Women’s change in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan, under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, has embarked on a path of reform. Almost daily, the media there report on new initiatives and projects. It is no coincidence that in December 2019 The Economist awarded Uzbekistan the country of the year title.

From ‘strategic engagement’ to ‘competition’. Interview with William Yu

Ewelina Horoszkiewicz in conversation with Professor William Yu (UCLA) on USA, China and Europe. Professor William Yu  is an economist with the UCLA Anderson Forecast and specializes in the economies of Los Angeles and China.

Global Security Initiative and Global Development Initiative: Two Wings for Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind

Peace and development as the call of our day again face severe challenges on a global scale, with more prominent instability, uncertainty and complexity

Beyond Grey Hulls: Europe’s Role in “Crowdsourcing” Maritime Domain Awareness in the South China Sea

If developments observed in the South China Sea over the recent months are of any indication, it simply means that the situation has worsened. China’s continued aggression towards its neighbors – the Philippines and Vietnam in particular, has continued unabated.

A Story of Victory? The 30th Anniversary of Kazakh Statehood and Challenges for the Future.

On 25 May 2021, the Boym Institute, in cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, organised an international debate with former Polish President Aleksander Kwaśniewski (1995-2005).

Polish-Asian Cooperation in the Field of New Technologies – Report

Polish and Polish-founded companies are already on the largest continent in sectors such as: IT, educational technology, finance, marketing, e-commerce and space. Despite this, the potential lying dormant in the domestic innovation sector seems to be underutilized.

To free oneself from the Chinese embrace. On Indo-Russian relations with Nandan Unnikrishnan

Interview with Nandan Unnikrishnan, who has served for many years as a correspondent for Indian media in Russia. Currently he is a research fellow at the Observer Research Foundation in Delhi. The interview was conducted during the Raisina Dialogue 2019 in Delhi.

Indian Roundtable – Poland’s Challenges and Opportunities in the Subcontinent

In recent years, India has been the fastest growing among the major countries' economies in the world. (...) In the coming decades, the Subcontinent's largest country may remain one of the pillars of global economic growth. This is one of the reasons why the country is already the most popular destination for Polish foreign investment in the Asian-Pacific region.