The Role of the Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences in Building the Prestige of the Reborn Second Republic of Poland
The Role of the Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences in Building the Prestige of the Reborn Second Republic of Poland

Summary/Abstract: The article shows the importance of the Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences (PAU) in building the prestige of the Polish state, reborn in 1918. It investigates primarily the first years of independence in which the Academy undertook actions aimed at gaining Polish science an international reputation. The scope and nature of the PAU’s cooperation with the authorities of the Republic of Poland – in particular with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – was analyzed. The article is based on source materials – both archival and published – and literature on the subject. The information contained in the sources and published works has been critically evaluated, taking into account the specificity of the analyzed material. Based on the statutory objectives of the PAU, various forms of the Academy’s work were presented, which were related to building the importance of Polish science abroad. Reference was made to the involvement of the PAU in the work of international scientific organizations – the Conseil International de Recherches and the Union Académique Internationale de Recherches et de Publications. The influence of Polish national culture (supported and developed by the PAU) on the prestige of the Second Republic of Poland in the international arena indicated that the PAU’s actions were necessary in view of the desire to strengthen the position of the Republic of Poland in the circle of scholars from other countries – after years of Polish scientific and cultural achievements being underestimated, marginalized and attributed to others. The importance of support for PAU’s activities by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was established, as well as the beneficial effects but also the dangers related to the entry of politics into the field of science.

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