Security has no gender. A state’s resilience starts with its people

Introduction

On 16 April 2026 in Rzeszów, a conference entitled “Women – the foundation of defence and security” will take place, with SSSE EURO‑PARK MIELEC / ARP S.A. as a partner. The event, organised by the Podkarpackie branch of the Women in the Centre association, is an important contribution to the debate on modern security, state resilience and the role of women in the defence system and crisis response.

The conference will launch a series of educational and workshop activities for women from the Podkarpackie region, aimed at strengthening their competences in defence, security, social resilience and crisis management.

Supporting women in strategic areas

As an institution long involved in dual‑use projects, industrial development and initiatives related to defence and security, we are well aware that these areas are still largely dominated by men. This is precisely why we consciously and consistently support the presence of women – their expertise, leadership competences and real impact on building the state’s resilience.

Contemporary security is not only about military capabilities, but also about:

· the resilience of society and institutions,

· citizens’ preparedness for crises,

· effective cooperation between public administration, business and civil society organisations.

That is why women’s participation in these processes is not an add‑on, but a necessary component of a modern security system.

A rich conference programme

The conference will be held at the Hotel Metropolitan in Rzeszów and will be open to the public. The programme includes expert presentations and panel discussions with representatives of public administration, uniformed services, social organisations and business.

Event agenda:

13:00 – Opening of the conference and welcome
The opening address will be delivered by Magdalena Sobkowiak‑Czarnecka, Government Plenipotentiary for the European Defence Industry Reinforcement through Common Procurement Instrument.

13:30–15:00 – Women in state resilience systems: from local communities to global strategies
A block devoted to building state resilience, the role of local government, civic engagement and crisis management in local communities.
Speakers will include:

· Riflemen’s Association “Strzelec” of Józef Piłsudski – lecture “Defence is female. Social readiness for 21st‑century crises”

· Conscious Civil Defence Association – “Volunteer Civil Defence – the key to the most resilient country in the world”

· Dr Eng. Iwona Szkudlarek, author of the book “Women, Defence, Security”

15:00–15:45 – Panel: “Women – leaders in uniformed services and public administration”
A panel with female representatives of uniformed services, moderated by Agnieszka Petelicka, President of the GROM Foundation “Strength and Honour”.

16:00–16:45 – Panel: “Socio‑economic mobilisation and the success of civil defence”
This part will feature Wiktor Cichoń, Director of SSSE EURO‑PARK MIELEC, who will present the perspective of cooperation between business, public administration and society in the face of today’s security challenges. The panel will highlight the crucial role of regions’ economic and organisational potential in building the state’s resilience.

17:00 – Summary and closing of the conference

Throughout the event, information stands of partners, uniformed schools and the Military Recruitment Centre will be available.

Why are we a partner of this event?

Our involvement in the conference stems from a deep conviction that:

· a strong and modern state needs the engagement of all its citizens, regardless of gender,

· supporting women in defence and security is a real investment in social and economic resilience,

· security starts with knowledge, competences and cooperation between the public sector, business and society.

The conference provides an important space for sharing experiences, building relationships and inspiring further action to enhance security and civic awareness.

16 April 2026 | Hotel Metropolitan, Rzeszów
Registration: https://forms.gle/bU24962NBgAniMe59

See you in Rzeszów.