Federation of Poles in Great Britain

History

The Federation of Poles in Great Britain (FPGB) ( _pl. Zjednoczenie Polskie w Wielkiej Brytanii (ZPWB)) started in 1946, when the British Government formally withdrew recognition of the Polish Government in Exile, Michael Hope, "The Abandoned Legion", Veritas Foundation Publication ISBN 1-904639-09-7, Paperback First Edition Chapter "The Transfer of Diplomatic Recognition"] . From that time until 1990 The Federation represented the interests of the Polish immigration with respect to British authorities.

Subsequent to the transfer of the Presidential Insignia by President Ryszard Kaczorowski to President Lech Walesa, Peter D. Stachura, Editor "The Poles in Britain 1940-2000", Frank Cass, 2004, ISBN 0-7146-8444-9, Paperback First Edition Page 45] , some responsibilities were vested in The Federation. The Federation was recognised by both Polish and British governments, as well as other Polish organisations world-wide, as the organisation representing the Polish ethnic minority in Great Britain.

The Federation exists not only to both promote and defend the interests of the Polish ethnic minority in Great Britain, but also to promote Polish history and culture among the British people.

Detailed information is contained in the Federation's Statutes.

Recent Actions

The Federation has felt since Poles started to arrive in the UK after EU enlargement that the Daily Mail has run articles which defamed Poles. In the end they raised a formal complaint with Press Complaints Commission. The PCC arranged a deal between the Federation and the Daily Mail. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/aug/05/dailymail.pressandpublishing ] .

Membership

The Federation was created to link the various Polish organisations and federations in Great Britain. Subsequently a change in the Statutes allowed for the introduction of Individual Membership. Members of the Polish ethnic minority, permanently resident in Great Britain, members of their families and all persons supporting the aims of The Federation can become individual members of The Federation.

ee also

*Polish British
*Polonia
*Poles

References

External links

* [http://zpwb.org.uk Federation of Poles in Great Britain web site]
* [http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/mar/14/dailymail.pressandpublishing UK Poles attack Daily Mail 'bias' Guardian article on the Federation complaining about Daily Mail coverage of Poles]
* [http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/aug/04/dailymail.pressandpublishing?gusrc=rss&feed=networkfront Guardian article on the resolution of complaint against The Daily Mail]
* [http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/aug/08/pressandpublishing.thetimes?gusrc=rss&feed=networkfront Guardian article on Giles Coren's Article in The Times]