Between Two Kin-States: The Round Table Meetings on the German Minority in Poland and the Poles in Germany 2010–2019

ABSTRACT

This paper analyses the series of Polish-German Round Table meetings on supporting members of the German minority in Poland and the Poles in Germany which took place during 2010–2019. The course and results of these talks can be interpreted as a clash of kin-state policies that treat these groups as a ‘foreign’ extension of the nation and emphasise the need to care for them. They carry interesting conclusions regarding: the role of minority groups themselves as non-state entities influencing and shaping kin-state policies; and the tension surrounding the use of the terms ‘national minority’ and ‘immigrant community’.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Andreea Udrea, David Smith, Karl Cordell, Dorota Pudzianowska and Michał Nowosielski for all their helpful comments. I am also grateful to the anonymous reviewers for their constructive feedback during the peer-review process.

Notes

1 Author interviews were conducted with two employees of the Department of Religious Denominations and National and Ethnic Minorities (Ministry of the Internal Affairs and Administration) who participated in the preparation to the Round Table talks in 2018–2019 (July 2019)—interview No. 1—[GI1] and with representatives of Polish organisations in Germany who participated in the conference entitled ‘The situation of Polish minorities and organisations in neighbouring countries—three looks’ organised by the Warsaw University (November 2019)—the interview No. 2 [GI2].

2 This view was expressed by the interlocutors from both sides (i.e. government and Polish organisations)—[GI1] and [GI2].

3 According to author interview with representative of Związek Polaków Niemczech—[GI2]. 

4 Opinion expressed by interlocutors from Polish organisations in Germany —[GI2].

5 Opinion from interlocutors from Polish organisations in Germany—[GI2]. 

6 Opinion from the one employee from the Department of Religious Denominations … —[GI1]. 

7 Opinion expressed by interlocutors from Polish organisations in Germany —[GI2]. 

8 Opinion from the employees from the Department of Religious Denominations … —[GI1]. 

9 Opinions expressed by interlocutors from Polish organisations in Germany [GI2].