**Poland’s Limited Visibility in the Global South Highlighted by UN‑Affiliated Expert**
*Warsaw, 30 August 2026* – Dr. Wojtek Wilk, president of the Polish Centre for International Aid (PCPM) and a United Nations expert on crisis management and humanitarian coordination, warned that Poland remains largely unknown to populations in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Speaking about the country’s “soft power” – the ability to influence other nations through cultural and political appeal rather than military force – Wilk said Polish policymakers have focused predominantly on traditional diplomacy, defence and European Union alliances, leaving little room for broader public‑diplomacy initiatives.
> “When I ask what they think of ‘Poland’, everyone answers: ‘Ah, Holland!’ And it’s not a joke. It’s reality,” Wilk told reporters, referring to conversations he has had in several Global South countries.
### Existing Influence and Untapped Potential
Wilk acknowledged that Poland already enjoys a degree of influence in Eastern Europe. He noted that citizens of Belarus, Moldova and some Ukrainians view Poland as a model of a better life, largely because it is seen as an alternative to Russia.
He identified other regions where Poland could expand its reach. In the South Caucasus – Georgia and Armenia – and in Central Asian states, he believes there is “promising territory.” In Uzbekistan, for example, older respondents still associate Poland with a popular Polish television series that aired during the Soviet era.
For Western Europe, North America, South Korea and Japan, Wilk suggested that Poland’s soft‑power strategy should aim to attract tourists, skilled workers and investors.
### Lack of Engagement in Africa, Asia and Latin America
According to Wilk, Poland has made “virtually no effort” to build influence in much of Africa, Asia and South America, despite “significant opportunities.” He cited Lebanon as an example where many individuals educated in Russia maintain cultural ties to Moscow, implying that Poland could have offered an alternative cultural connection.
Wilk contrasted Poland’s approach
Article and image source: nashevremya.pl
