Wiadomości

Tu i Teraz

20/12/2003 00:45:37

Prudential PLC

On Thursday 9 October 2003 at the residence of the British Ambassador in Warsaw, Prudential plc of the United Kingdom ("Prudential") announced that it was establishing the "Przezorność" Foundation in Poland. Przezorność is the name of a Polish insurance firm which the Prudential insurance company bought in 1927, thereby entering the Polish market, where it remained until 1936.

Over five years, the "Przezorność" Foundation will give 4 million dollars to 19 Polish institutions and charities statutorily involved in social care, education, history and culture.

The establishment of the Foundation, whose aim is to commemorate the owners of insurance policies from the period 1927-36 or their heirs, whom the Prudential cannot trace, is the result of much consideration and discussion in which, among others, the Federation of Poles in Great Britain has played an active part.

Irrespective of the Foundation's establishment, Prudential continues to seek the owners and heirs of "Przezorność" insurance policies. Hence, whoever thinks he has a right to claims regarding former policies should check this in the Internet under www.prudential.co.uk/aboutpru/wwpolish. There, one can also check the list of names of policy owners. Further information can be obtained by sending an email to polishpolicyenquiries@prudential.co.uk or writing to: Mr. David Higgins, GLS, Laurence Pountney Hill, London EC4R 0HH

Because about half the policy owners were Jewish, half the Foundation's funds will be intended for Polish-Jewish charities and half for Polish, but all having their registered offices in Poland. They are as follows:

Education:
Warsaw School of Economics, Semper Polonia Foundation, Communications Without Barriers Foundation, Internet in Schools – Programme of the Polish President, Polish Children and Youth Foundation, Leon KoŹmiński College of Enterprise and Management in Warsaw, "School of Leaders" Association, Joseph Conrad (Chevening) scholarships, Museum of History of Polish Jews, Judaica-Jewish Culture Centre Foundation
Social care:
Sue Ryder Foundation, Union of Jewish Religious Communities in Poland
Culture:
Festival of Jewish Culture in Kracow, Globe Artistic Foundation, Pacanow Centre Scholarships
History:
Józef Piłsudski Family Foundation, Katyń Families Association, Stutthof Museum, Sobibor Museum

In each case the "Przezorność" Foundation will support some specific organisational program which it is helping. In the case of the Semper Polonia Foundation it will be a scholarship program to cover the costs connected with postgraduate studies in Poland for young Poles living in Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Belarus and Latvia. In the case of the Sue Ryder Foundation, it will be the purchase of a coach equipped with specialist mammographical equipment. The Globe Theatre Foundation will receive financial support in producing plays and organising theatrical workshops in English. The Jewish Culture Festival in Kracow will receive funds supporting the organisation of future festivals. The Józef Piłsudzki Family Foundation will receive help in renovating museum buildings and premises so they can be opened to visitors.
In the case of the Katyń Families Association the "Przezorność" Foundation will act as founder of a monument to the victims of the Katyń crime in Lublin, publications extending knowledge on this subject, and awards for students writing master's degree theses on the Katyń subject.

Today, when insurance companies do not enjoy the best of opinions, I am proud that the Federation of Poles in Great Britain could co-operate with Prudential in their noble action and, if only to a small degree, contribute to such a generous and just result.

Jan Mokrzycki.