'We work to build bridges and bring communities together': Longford man represents campaign

Slawek (Slavek) Kazek from Ballymahon has been selected from the 125,000 members of the Polish diaspora in Ireland to represent the community in a national campaign highlighting the achievements, creativity, and contributions of Polish people in Ireland.

Slavek has been living in Ballymahon for nearly twenty years and works as the Business Admin Team Leader at An Post Insurance.

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He is also a member of the board of directors of a local Credit Union and the Chair of the Midlands Polish Community CLG. He is the driving force behind initiatives such as the International Children’s Day Picnic, joint Polish-Irish choral concerts and many more initiatives celebrating multicultural community spirit.

Slavek is also the winner of the 2025 Leaders for Change bursary by the National College for Ireland.

Slavek said, “I am very proud to feature in the Beyond Borders campaign. Together with my colleagues at the Midlands Polish Community, we work to build bridges and bring communities together. Ireland is our home and we want to make sure that everyone is included and we support each other. Volunteering is such an important part of my life and I see this as a great way to meet people, make friends and create the future of Ireland.”

Slavek continued, “When I came to Ireland, I had to take one step back to move two steps forward later on. This country gave me a space to grow and I feel proud to give something back. Volunteering is such an important part of my life and I see this as a great way to meet people, make friends and create the future of Ireland. I’m not just an immigrant - I’m part of the Irish story.”

The campaign has been commissioned by Forum Polonia, a Polish migrant rights organisation. Through a series of personal stories, portraits, and short videos, the campaign showcases ten Polish individuals from across Ireland who are shaping their communities in diverse fields — from education and culture to business, art, science, and volunteering.

The project challenges sometimes outdated stereotypes about Polish migrants and aims to highlight the complexity of identity — reminding audiences that every person who has come to Ireland brings with them not just a journey, but a lifetime of experience, talent, and resilience.

Barnaba Dorda, the Chair of Forum Polonia, said, “A year ago, we celebrated the 20th anniversary of Poland joining the EU, and that was the beginning of the large-scale migration of Poles to Ireland. Many of us started working in manual work sectors, filling in labour gaps. Twenty years on, we can see the progress the Polish community has made, but we feel that the stereotypes about Polish migrant workers are still prevalent. With the ‘Beyond Borders’ campaign, we want to replace labels with stories. Polish people have been part of Ireland’s progress for two decades — this campaign celebrates that connection and reminds us that we all belong.”

Aga Wypychowska, a co-creator of the campaign, said: “The campaign’s central message is We are here. We create. We inspire. An immigrant is a full person with a personal history, professional life, and unique skills. We want to show that Polish people are not just participants in Irish life — they are co-creators of it.”

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The Beyond Borders campaign will run across Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn, featuring short video interviews, photography, and a final short film summarising the initiative. Forum Polonia invites everyone — Polish, Irish, and beyond — to follow the campaign, share the stories, and celebrate life Beyond Borders.