The speech called „The New Challenges” was delivered at the Churchill’s Europe

Symposium in September 2004 by the President of Poland – Aleksander Kwaśniewski. The

speech was delivered in English language, despite the fact that Kwaśniewski’s mother
language is Polish The speech focus mainly on the challenges that lie before Europe, but also
what challenges can whole world expect in coming times. The year, in which it was delivered,
2004, was very important for Europe in both positive and negative ways. It was the year,
when Poland and other nine countries from the former communist bloc joined the EU, the
finish line of the process of “returning to Europe”. What is more, it should not surprise that he
was invited to deliver speech, as he was the head of state from the biggest country that
recently joined the EU and can have big influence on this organization Despite the title of
speech that suggests challenges, he perceives the future of Europe in bright light, because
both parts of Europe can give something positive to the other side. He uses many well-
prepared arguments to support the main idea of his speech. He mentions that the Eastern
Enlargement is not the end of barriers in Europe, countries like Croatia or Ukraine also have
their European aspirations. The problem of terrorism is also mentioned by Kwaśniewski as
something that still exists, because nearly two weeks before this speech, nearly 300 children
were killed by terrorists in Beslan, Russia. He perceives the terrorism as challenge not only
for Europe, but also for world. Polish President also emphasizes the role of the co-operation,
reconciliation and international friendships, he enlists many of this kind of initiatives, as the
key to success. Even the relations between Poland and Germany, which had been difficult due
to the Second World War, now are flourishing. As the coming challenge, Kwaśniewski also
mentions the possibility of growing rivalry between Europe and other world super-powers
like China, Japan or USA. He emphasis the cooperation not only on European, but also world
level as the key not to repeat the Cold War.
In his speech, Kwaśniewski uses the metaphor of showing the similarity of the
Switzerland Confederation and European project by saying that “Brussels has emerged as new
Bern”. He shows that the rest of Europe followed the Swiss path and came to conclusion that
idea of nationalism is less worth than idea of co-operation. At the end of his speech,
Kwaśniewski uses a kind of hyperbole to by saying “Let the World unite!”, the task that
always seemed impossible to be carried out, but author by referring to Churchill worlds “Let
Europe arise”, which were said in 1946, but after so many years Europe really returned to
normality, it must leave the feeling that maybe this dream can also come into the reality.
Despite nearly 20 years after this speech was delivered, some of Kwaśniewski’s
challenges mentioned by him, seem to have overwhelmed the leaders of the world. The globe
is once again divided, co-operation seems to be outdated for some countries. Hopefully, may
his worlds “Let the World unite!” truly come into reality one day.