The report entitled “Newcomers, immigrants, refugees…. Kashubia as a place and environment of settlement” by Cezary Obracht-Prondzyński, presents the social consequences of migration in Kashubia and Pomerania, examining the relationships between the immigrant population and the local community.

It should be noted that the Pomeranian Voivodeship, primarily the metropolitan area and its surrounding areas, is an area of very strong migration flows, with people arriving from various parts of the country. According to the author, migration is one of the key current topics and political issues.

Kashubia and Pomerania, being a coastal region, have always been prone to migration. An interesting example is Gdynia, which became one of the strongest drivers of interregional migration in the pre-war Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. In 1921, it had only 1,300 inhabitants, in 1930 – 25,000, and in 1938 – over 122,000. This increase was primarily due to the influx of new settlers, a significant portion of whom came from Pomerania (over 45%) and Greater Poland (21%), with the remainder from other areas of contemporary Poland.

After 1945, multi-directional migrations took place: voluntary (including cross border migration) and forced migration (including the displacement and flight of Germans or those considered German to the west; the deportation of Pomeranian populations to the east; expatriation from the Eastern Borderlands; Operation Vistula). Settlement migration, however, took place with varying intensity in different parts of Pomerania, including Kashubia.

The post-war migration and settlement movements resulted in various intergroup relations. Among other things, mental and cultural barriers arose, including linguistic ones (Kashubian, German, and Ukrainian); there were instances of discrimination, looting, and disputes over property; different economic methods; There was a lack of stability, rootedness, or familiarity with the area; stereotypes and prejudices were reinforced.

This report also includes a study entitled “Attitudes and behaviours of Pomeranian Voivodeship residents in the context of building the identity of Pomeranians,” conducted by a team of researchers led by C. Obracht-Prondzyński. It presents data on the attitudes of contemporary Pomeranian residents towards migrants. Many issues were addressed, including: the attitudes of Pomeranians towards various nationalities; whether the region is becoming a better place to live as a result of people from other countries arriving and living here in Pomerania; and whether Poland should accept foreigners (refugees from Muslim countries, economic migrants, migrants from European countries). The research shows that over a quarter of people feel aversion to migrants, and over half are critical of migrants from Muslim countries. Interestingly, the Pomeranian Voivodeship is a relatively popular destination for immigrants (in 2021, the Ukrainian population was clearly dominant), but overall, these immigrants came from dozens of countries, resulting in the region’s ongoing process of increased multiculturalism.

In his conclusions, the author notes, among other things, that our society still struggles with “others” (Muslims, LGBT+ people, migrants, refugees, and minorities), although attitudes are evolving. If we want to help someone, we should help “our own people,” not “others”—we still perceive a significant distance from “others.” However, when “others” are affected by the misfortune we perceive, we recognize within ourselves a significant amount of empathy and humanity.