Leaders of change at Impact Talks during Malta Festival

Seven debates, two inspiring speeches, and over twenty prominent figures from the worlds of business, culture, sports, and social activism will gather at Impact Talks during Malta Festival. Among them are Dominika Kulczyk, Sylwia Gregorczyk-Abram, Olga Łęgosz, Maria Andrejczyk, Katarzyna Zillmann, Małgorzata Kalicińska, Henryka Bochniarz, and many others. This exciting program will take place on September 14 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Atrium of the University of the Arts in Poznań. All panels and talks are free to attend.

Impact Talks at Malta Festival Poznań introduces a new format of discussions, drawing on the experience of organizers behind one of the most significant economic and tech events in Europe. The opening panel features investor, philanthropist, and patron of Malta Festival, Dominika Kulczyk, in conversation with Sylwia Gregorczyk-Abram from the Wolne Sądy Foundation and Monika Sajkowska from the Dajemy Dzieciom Siłę Foundation, discussing the role of leadership in driving social change. Journalist, TV host, and YouTuber Magda Mołek will moderate the discussion and the entire event.

In line with this year’s Malta Festival theme, care for our planet will also take center stage. The debate on the consequences of climate change and effective solutions to combat environmental destruction will include Piotr Maciołek from Polenergia, Joanna Maćkowiak-Pandera from Forum Energii, and British science journalist Gaia Vince, author of bestsellers “Transcendence” and “Nomad Century.”

Another pressing topic will be the crisis of loneliness among young people, tackled by Jan Gawroński, Deputy Ombudsman for Children, Magdalena Namysłowska from the Warsaw Center for Psychotherapy and Psychiatry, and Cleo Ćwiek from the Można Zwariować Foundation. This discussion will be moderated by Janusz Schwertner, journalist and co-creator of the documentary “Nic nie czuję,” which exposed the shortcomings of child and adolescent psychiatry in Poland.

Influencers Michał Marszał, Kamila Kalińczak, and Olga Łęgosz will speak on how social media is shaping the younger generation, in a panel moderated by Arkadiusz Szulczyński from Brunch Marketingowy.

The event also promises an inspiring conversation between three remarkable athletes: Maria Andrejczyk, Natalia Partyka, and Katarzyna Zillmann, who will share their journey from passion to the peak of sports. Grzegorz Nawacki, editor-in-chief of XYZ, will lead the discussion.

Another standout session, co-organized with Forbes Women Polska, will explore “Power Before and After 50: Confidence and Strength in Women Regardless of Age.” Speakers will include Dorota Czekaj from the Women Entrepreneurs Network, Joanna Zboch from Estée Lauder Companies Central Europe, Beata Borucka, creator of SilverTV, and author Małgorzata Kalicińska.

Impact Talks will conclude with a discussion featuring Henryka Bochniarz, Chair of the Main Council of Lewiatan, Karolina Andrian from Share the Care Foundation, Ewa Rumińska-Zimny, Vice-President of the Congress of Women, and MEP Michał Wawrykiewicz. They will share their experiences in turning visions into reality through social transformation.

The audience will also have the chance to hear from Chris Bailey, a productivity expert and one of the most-watched TED speakers, who has personally tested nearly every productivity tactic under the sun.

The 34th edition of Malta Festival runs until September 15 in Poznań, offering a rich program of international stars, renowned artists, urban performances, and, thanks to Impact Talks, thought-provoking debates and exceptional meetings. Women and nature—symbolized by Malta’s thematic pillars—are at the heart of this year’s festival, aligning with Dominika Kulczyk’s advocacy for women’s rights and environmental care.

Dominika Kulczyk, whose foundation has long championed women’s rights, envisions Malta becoming Europe’s most recognized festival for women’s culture. In announcing the purchase of the festival, she said: “If we believe that culture and art can change reality—and my goal, as well as that of Kulczyk Foundation, is to change the reality for women—then our involvement in Malta Festival perfectly aligns with our strategy. By organizing a festival aimed at empowering women, highlighting their issues, promoting gender equality, and fostering harmony between both worlds, we will gradually improve the situation for women and shift male perspectives.” The theme of this year’s edition is “For Love!” All necessary information can be found at malta-festival.pl.

Event schedule:

11:15 – 11:55
Moderated discussion :: Leaders of Change ::
Dominika Kulczyk, Kulczyk Foundation;
Monika Sajkowska, Dajemy Dzieciom Siłę Foundation;
Sylwia Gregorczyk-Abram, Wolne Sądy Foundation;
Moderator: Magda Mołek

11:55 – 12:10
Keynote :: Climate and Migration ::
Gaia Vince

12:10 – 12:35
Moderated discussion :: How to Address the Climate Crisis? ::
Gaia Vince;
Piotr Maciołek, Polenergia;
Joanna Maćkowiak-Pandera, Forum Energii;
Moderator: Grzegorz Nawacki, XYZ

12:35 – 13:00
Moderated discussion :: Gen Z – The Loneliness Crisis ::
Jan Gawroński, Deputy Ombudsman for Children;
Magdalena Namysłowska, Warsaw Center for Psychotherapy and Psychiatry;
Cleo Ćwiek, Można Zwariować Foundation;
Moderator: Janusz Schwertner, Goniec.pl

13:05 – 13:30
Moderated discussion :: The Power of Influencers: Shaping a New Generation ::
Michał Marszał;
Kamila Kalińczak;
Olga Łęgosz, nomadmum;
Moderator: Arek Szulczyński, Brunch Marketingowy

13:30 – 13:45
Keynote :: Take Control of Your Time, Attention, and Energy ::
Chris Bailey

13:40 – 14:05
Moderated discussion :: The Power of Women in Sports: From Passion to Success ::
Maria Andrejczyk;
Natalia Partyka;
Katarzyna Zillmann;
Moderator: Grzegorz Nawacki, XYZ

14:05 – 14:30
Moderated discussion :: Power Before and After 50: Confidence and Strength in Women Regardless of Age ::
Dorota Czekaj, Women Entrepreneurs Network / Black Swan;
Joanna Zboch, Estée Lauder Companies Central Europe North;
Małgorzata Kalicińska, author;
Beata Borucka, Silver TV;
Moderator: Katarzyna Dębek, Forbes

14:30 – 14:55
Moderated discussion :: From Vision to Reality: Leaders of Social Transformation ::
Henryka Bochniarz;
Karolina Andrian, Share the Care Foundation;
Michał Wawrykiewicz, MEP, Civic Platform (EPP);
Ewa Rumińska-Zimny;
Moderator: Janusz Schwertner, Goniec.pl