Europe is increasingly asking not only how to develop technologies, but also why, for whom, and how to safeguard democracy at a time when public debate has largely moved into the digital sphere. This is precisely where culture, social responsibility and innovation meet – an intersection that has been at the heart of the European Cultural Foundation (ECF) for decades. Prof. Aleksandra Przegalińska, Vice-Rector for Innovation and AI at Kozminski University, has been appointed to the ECF Supervisory Board.
ECF is an independent foundation based in Amsterdam, established in 1954 to strengthen a shared sense of Europe through culture – understood broadly as a space for dialogue, education, civic engagement and solidarity. Within the Foundation’s governance structure, the Supervisory Board plays a key role, working with the management team and providing strategic oversight, including stewardship of resources and the appointment of key roles. The Honorary President of ECF is HRH Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands.
One of ECF’s most important areas of work in recent years is European Digital Citizenship – a programme that promotes responsible, inclusive and rights-based participation in Europe’s digital public space. Built on more than 20 years of investment in media and digital initiatives—particularly for young people and underrepresented communities—its ambition is to strengthen digital competences and the quality of public debate in an era marked by polarisation, disinformation and growing “democracy fatigue”.
For Kozminski University, Prof. Przegalińska’s appointment is both a point of pride and a tangible opportunity for greater international impact. Having a representative of the University contribute to strategic oversight within one of Europe’s most recognised cultural institutions enhances our global visibility and reinforces the relevance of our expertise in AI, technology ethics, and the societal consequences of digital transformation in the European conversation.
Equally important is the network and collaboration dimension. ECF operates at the intersection of culture and public policy, engages in advocacy, and works with key platforms and think tanks such as the European Policy Centre (EPC) and Friends of Europe, as well as with European cultural and heritage networks. This opens space for Kozminski University to be present in discussions that shape Europe’s priorities in education, culture and digital democracy.
ECF also brings concrete project opportunities. The Foundation runs, among others, the Culture of Solidarity Fund, supporting initiatives that strengthen solidarity and Europe’s shared public space. Since 2020, the Fund has delivered multiple editions, supporting hundreds of projects across Europe and launching new calls in response to evolving societal challenges.
Finally, the appointment carries a symbolic dimension: Prof. Przegalińska’s presence on the Supervisory Board strengthens the representation of Central and Eastern Europe within an institution that helps shape Europe’s cultural and civic imagination. For Kozminski University, it is another step towards being a truly European university – not only in ambition, but in actively co-creating the agenda.
