01/07/2026
Can learning happen while having an amazing time? Can European values be shared in a way that is engaging, accessible, and easy to experience? Absolutely! 🌍✨
From 24–27 June, around 180 students and staff members from all member universities gathered for CIVICA CONNECT: Sport, Culture and Inclusiveness Festival, held in the beautiful Mazury Lake District at the AZS Wilkasy Sports Centre.
The festival offered a rich and diverse programme, including:
🤝 Inclusiveness in Sport training delivered by experts from the Scientific Council of the Polish Paralympic Committee
⛵ Sailing regatta
🚢 A scenic lake cruise
🎨 A ceramic painting workshop
🚴 A cycling trip to the historic Boyen Fortress, where participants explored the region's fascinating heritage
🏀 A wide range of sports activities, including 3x3 basketball, kayaking, beach volleyball, tennis, pedal boating, boccia, goalball, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), and many more.
Throughout the festival, students and staff from across the CIVICA Alliance had the opportunity to meet new people, build lasting connections, collaborate in multicultural teams, and put the principles of fair play into practice.
A particularly important part of the programme was the Inclusiveness Training, dedicated to promoting the participation of people with disabilities in sport. Led by outstanding instructors from the Scientific Council of the Polski Komitet Paralimpijski, the training combined expert knowledge with hands-on experience. Participants had the opportunity to try goalball, karate, wheelchair sports, learn how to overcome architectural barriers, and take part in many other practical activities that deepened their understanding of accessibility and inclusion.
The festival was one of the accompanying events celebrating the 120th anniversary of SGH Warsaw School of Economics. We were honoured by the presence of Rector Prof. Piotr Wachowiak and Vice-Rector for International Relations Prof. Jacek Prokop, and we sincerely thank them for joining and supporting our initiative.
Last but certainly not least, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the participants for being part of CIVICA CONNECT (coming from: Università Bocconi, Central European University, European University Institute, IE University, Hertie School, The London School of Economics and Political Science - LSE, Sciences Po, Stockholm School of Economics, Școala Națională de Studii Politice și Administrative - SNSPA and SGH Warsaw School of Economics . Your enthusiasm, openness, and positive energy made this event truly special. We hope you enjoyed every moment, created lasting friendships, and returned home with wonderful memories that will stay with you for years to come. We look forward to seeing you again at future CIVICA events!
CIVICA CONNECT was organised for the community thanks to funding secured by SGH Warsaw School of Economics under the NAWA Narodowa Agencja Wymiany Akademickiej (Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange - NAWA) programme Support for European Universities, within the project "CIVICA 4All: Inclusiveness, Accessibility and Engagement at European Universities."
Photo credits: Matt Langthorne (Hertie), Michał Jędrzejewski www.michaljedrzejewskiphotographer.pl