The formal meeting of the Senate of the University of Lodz began with the performance of the national anthem by the University of Lodz Choir. Then the Rector of the University of Lodz, Prof. Elżbieta Żądzińska welcomed the audience, including many distinguished representatives of the Polish academic world, former Rectors of the University of Lodz, the Rector Elect and representatives of the government, politicians, local government officials, honorary consuls and representatives of entrepreneurs who came to the anniversary meeting of the Senate.
In the opening speech, the Rector of the University of Lodz recalled the beginnings of the university, dating back to the times of the Free Polish University – a bastion of progressive pre-war Polish thought, which was established in Lodz in 1928. She emphasized that today the University of Lodz was an academic community of almost 30,000 people, a member of UNIC, one of significant alliances of European universities, and next to other public universities in Lodz a member of the Lodz Academic Partnership.
The Rector of the University of Lodz also spoke about the mission of the university, which is – according to the motto of the University of Lodz: Veritas et Libertas – "the pursuit of truth, the fight for the truth, standing in the truth, freedom of speech, freedom of academic discussion."
As Master Kotarbiński, the first great Rector of the University of Lodz and a philosopher, warned: You can sometimes go far with a lie, but you can never go back. The motto Veritas et Libertas applies to all of us at the University of Lodz: students, doctoral students, research workers, as well as winners of Doctor Honoris Causa Titles
– said the Rector.
Then, on the occasion of the 79th anniversary of the establishment of the University of Lodz, Prof. Elżbieta Żądzińska wished everyone that the university's values: truth, freedom, respect and courage would always be an unwavering guide for its community.
In the part of the ceremony devoted to awarding the Doctor Honoris Causa title, a laudation in honour of Dr hab. Adam Bodnar, Associate Professor at SWSP University, was delivered by the honorary doctoral thesis supervisor, Prof. Dr hab. Krzysztof Skotnicki from the Faculty of Law and Administration of the University of Lodz. He emphasized that research aimed at preventing social exclusion and discrimination and protecting all minorities is of great importance in the laureate's scientific achievements. This is an issue that is particularly consistent with the values that guide the community of the University of Lodz.
Adam Bodnar was one of the first to undertake research on the so-called hate speech, clearly emphasizing that it must be considered with taking into account the memory of the most tragic events of the 20th century. As you can see, in his research he does not avoid difficult questions regarding the most current problems of socio-political life. Many of the works of Prof. Adam Bodnar showed in advance the threats that technological progress brings to freedom, human rights and the position of an individual
– said Prof. Krzysztof Skotnicki.
The supervisor emphasized that the great skill of Prof. Adam Bodnar, which deserved special recognition from the University of Lodz community, was combining scientific interests in the issues of freedom and human rights with social work for their protection. This fully corresponds to the value that guides the University of Lodz in its activities, i.e. sharing one's experiences and knowledge with others.
According to Prof. Krzysztof Skotnicki, Adam Bodnar, as a constitutional lawyer, was and is aware that human rights and freedoms become fiction if they are not protected, and this is only possible in a state whose functioning is based primarily on the principle of separation of powers and the right to an independent court, where independent and impartial judges adjudicate. Hence his great involvement in the fight for the rule of law in Poland and his criticism of changes made in the judiciary, as well as his actions in defence of freedom of speech and media freedom. This required a lot of courage, as it was met with a negative assessment by representatives of the authorities and some circles, especially right-wing and conservative ones, and was expressed and, unfortunately, still is expressed in hate, which he is so opposed to and which he writes about as a scientist.
The motto of the University of Lodz is "Veritas et Libertas". Truth and freedom constitute our academic ethos understood as the search for and defence of truth and freedom of scientific research and freedom of academic discussion. But this should also guide us in other areas of social and public activities. Another fragment of the document "Values that guide the community of the University of Lodz" reads: “The University of Lodz conducts reliable and responsible research. “Good Job” shapes the foundations for sustainable development and engages the community. What makes our work good is our persistence in making a conscious effort that will provide better living conditions for future generations.” And further, this document reads as follows: "Diversity is the strength of the University of Lodz. Respect and understanding for different opinions and attitudes, as well as cultural openness and ideological tolerance constitute foundations of our activities. Professor Adam Bodnar has repeatedly expressed that he shares these values, and when they are threatened, he is ready to protect and fight for them. Human dignity, freedom and rights, as well as their protection and the rule of law are of particular importance to the community of the University of Lodz, and this is what guides us in science and in everyday life. These are also the values professed by Professor Adam Bodnar, which is visible in his scientific, social and public activities and the contribution he has made in Poland and Europe to defending the idea of a democratic state of law and protecting individual rights. That's why we see him among us and welcome him to our group
– concluded Prof. Krzysztof Skotnicki.
After reading and presenting the diploma of a Doctor Honoris Causa title, Dr hab. Adam Bodnar, Associate Professor at SWSP University, did not hide his emotion, expressing his gratitude for granting this highest honour that the academic community can bestow on a scientist. He also expressed gratitude to Prof. Krzysztof Skotnicki for the initiative, effort and carrying out the entire process. He also thanked for the laudation, while listening to which, he said, he did not recognise himself. He thanked the reviewers for their excellent assessment of his work.
After receiving the title, Dr hab. Adam Bodnar delivered a lecture. He started with a thesis formulated in 2008 by Lawrence Helfer, one of the most famous theoreticians dealing with human rights. At the time, this researcher stated that the validity of the European Convention on Human Rights depended on the rooting of this agreement in the national legal order. This rootedness cannot be considered without taking into account the social context.
Recently, I have realized that this rooting of democratic values, international agreements and EU law was decisive for the changes that took place in Poland at the end of 2023. In the years 2015-2023, there was an erosion of democratic values, the basic principles of the rule of law and constitutional democracy were undermined, human rights were violated on a massive scale, which was met with violent protests from civil society
– said Dr hab. Adam Bodnar, Associate Professor at SWSP University.
According to the laureate, this opposition, which took various forms, did not result only from human characters, courage, determination, faith in a democratic state, but also had its institutional, scientific and social foundations resulting from the fact that in the years from 1989 to 2015 Poland was gradually rooted in the system of democratic, European values. This rootedness also concerned legal norms embedded in the social system of our country, which in turn did not allow for the destruction of the legal system in Poland.
When powerful clouds hang over our heads, when storms can come from the east every day, the trees of the EU community must have strong social support, their roots must go really deep, creating inseparable cooperation and trust, based on the same values – constitutional and European values
– Doctor Honoris Causa of the University of Lodz concluded his lecture.
After the speech, individuals and representatives of institutions of particular merit for the university were awarded the medals of the University of Lodz, i.e. "Universitatis Lodziensis Amico (Friend of the University of Lodz)" and "Universitas Lodziensis Merentibus".
Those honoured with the "Universitatis Lodziensis Amico (Friend of the University of Lodz)" medals
Those honoured with the "Universitas Lodziensis Merentibus" medals
The formal meeting of the University of Lodz Senate on the occasion of the 79th anniversary of the establishment of the university ended with the singing of Gaude Mater Polonia by the University of Lodz Choir.
Edit: Communications and PR Centre, University of Lodz
Photos: Maciej Andrzejewski, Communications and PR Centre, University of Lodz