Appointment letters for members of the Council of the 9th term

The Council for Social Assistance is a consultative and advisory body in social assistance matters. It was established in 1991 at the relevant ministry for social security pursuant to the provisions of the Social Assistance Act and the ordinance issued on the basis of the statutory delegation.

The tasks of the Council include giving opinions on draft legislations, initiating amendments of laws and regulations regarding social assistance and preparing expert opinions concerning selected areas of social assistance.

During the Wednesday ceremony held in the office of the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy, appointment letters were granted to members of the Council for Social Assistance of the 9th term. The letters were granted to members of the new Council by Deputy Minister Iwona Michałek.

Gesture towards the other person

During the ceremony, a letter from the minister of family, labour and social policy was read. In its content, Marlena Maląg stressed that, notwithstanding such successes as the considerable reduction of extreme poverty, an increase of income or consistent support for families, it is necessary to remember about persons still struggling with life issues. In this context, Minister Maląg quoted the words of Pope Francis, who said: ‘How beautiful it would be if each of us could say in the evening: today I made a gesture of love towards the other person.’

‘I think it can be a great motto for this respectable body that have gathered today so that we could leave the world in a slightly better condition than the one we encountered,’ we can read in the letter.

Minister Maląg passed also congratulations to newly appointed members of the Council, expressing her belief that their knowledge, experience, familiarity with social issues and, most importantly, empathy and commitment will serve all those who need support and aid.

‘Such a broad range of backgrounds that you represent will guarantee reaching all groups needing a helping hand in order to overcome difficulties and become independent. And, consequently, to participate fully in social life in order to fulfil their roles in family, on the labour market or in the local community,’ she wrote.

Deputy Minister Iwona Michałek was also present at the ceremony. Addressing members of the Council, she stressed that the ministry is working on various legal acts, so their remarks and reflections would be very valuable to it. ‘But, at the same time, we strongly hope that you will also be originators of laws and projects that you would like to initiate and that you regard as worth putting into practice. We are absolutely ready to give you any kind of support and we are open to dialogue and co-operation to the broadest extent,’ said Minister Michałek.

Council for Social Assistance of the 9th term

According to the act, the Council consists of not more than 20 persons representing organisational units of social assistance, local government units, governors of provinces, social and professional organisations, churches and other religious associations and scientific communities. Members of the Council are appointed by the minister. Members of the Council for Social Assistance fulfil their functions gratuitously. The term of office of the Council lasts three years.

The following persons were appointed to the Council of the 9th term: the Director of Caritas for the Kalisz Diocese Rev. Jacek Andrzejczak; Urszula Bejma, M.D., from Caritas Poland; the Head of the Municipal & Communal Social Assistance Centre in Drohiczyn Bożena Chrząstowska, the Director of the Diocesan Life Protection Foundation in Opole Rev. Jerzy Dzierżanowski; the President of the Polish Social Policy Association Prof. Mirosław Grewiński, Ph.D.; the Director of the Municipal Family Support Centre Piotr Grudziński; the Secretary of the Polish Federation of Social Workers and Social Service Employees Unions Maria Kamińska; the Director of the Social Assistance House in Kotlina Janusz Krawiec; the Deputy Mayor of Lublin for Social Affairs Monika Lipińska; the Director of the Social Assistance House Rafał Marek.

The Council also consists of: the Chairman of the County Council in Świdnik Andrzej Mańka; the Deputy Director of Caritas for the Rzeszów Diocese Rev. Piotr Potyrała; acting as Director of the Department of  Social Policy of the Kujawy-Pomerania Provincial Office Beata Rojewska; the Director of the Saint John Paul II Social Assistance House in Lublin Antoni Rudnik; the Deputy Starost of the Gorzów County Magdalena Słowińska; the Director of the Social Assistance House in Więckowice Henryk Sikora; the Diocesan Director of Caritas for the Gdańsk Diocese Rev. Janusz Steć; the Chairman of the Intercompany Trade Union of Employees of the Social Welfare Centre and the Complex of Municipal Nurseries in Olsztyn Krzysztof Tomasik; the Director of Central Sport and Olympic Training Centre in Spała Waldemar Wendrowski and the Director of the County Family Support Centre in Koszalin Mirosława Zielony.