Academic Seminars 2025/2026
I invite you to a series of academic seminars dedicated to current, sometimes controversial, but always important topics. In the 2025/2026 academic year, four meetings are planned, with the main focus on labor law and international trade law.
I cordially invite you,
Lukasz Dawid Dabrowski
UNCITRAL Days in SGH Warsaw
UNCITRAL marks its 60th anniversary in 2026, and this seminar, held within the UNCITRAL Days initiative, focuses on the harmonization of international trade law and the ongoing reform of Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS).
Link to registration and seminar details
Ladies and Gentlemen,
it is my great pleasure to invite you to a seminar held in the framework of the UNCITRAL Days events, dedicated to the role of UNCITRAL in the progressive harmonization and modernization of international trade law.
The meeting will take place at the Warsaw School of Economics
5 May 2026
from ...... PM
Building G, Auditorium V
and online via MS Teams
About the Seminar
This UNCITRAL Days seminar is an academic event dedicated to the role of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law in the progressive harmonization and modernization of international trade law. The seminar aims to raise awareness of UNCITRAL legal instruments and their practical relevance for academics, students, policymakers and practitioners engaged in international economic law.
UNCITRAL Days events are academic gatherings organized by universities and institutions to discuss developments in UNCITRAL’s areas of work and to promote understanding of legal harmonization in international trade law.
The seminar will combine a general institutional session on UNCITRAL’s mandate and legal texts with a specialized session focused on the reform of Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS), reflecting UNCITRAL’s ongoing work, particularly in Working Group III.
Concept and Academic Relevance
International trade law traditionally operates within the sphere of private law, regulating cross-border commercial transactions, arbitration, insolvency, and electronic commerce. However, Investor-State Dispute Settlement represents a hybrid legal regime situated between private and public law, involving disputes between private investors and sovereign States.
This seminar explores that evolution — from harmonized private trade law frameworks to the reform of ISDS as a mechanism combining elements of international arbitration, public international law and global economic governance.
UNCITRAL Days in Warsaw
Programme
Opening Remarks (about 5-10 min.)
PART I. - Duration: about 1 hour (general)
1. UNCITRAL: Mandate, areas of work and UNCITRAL texts
Key themes:
Establishment by UNGA Resolution 2205 (XXI) (1966)
UNCITRAL’s mandate
Difference between UNCITRAL and WTO (public vs. private international trade law)
Areas of work
Membership
Consensus-based law-making in a diverse geopolitical environment
2. UNCITRAL in discharging its mandate: Organization of work and inclusiveness
Key themes:
Role of the Commission and Working Groups
Role of the Secretariat
Participation of Member States, observer States, IGOs and NGOs
Engagement of developed, developing and least developed countries
Representation of the world’s various geographic regions and its principal economic and legal systems
Expert-driven negotiations
Constructive technical dialogue among delegations
3. UNCITRAL’s flagship texts in the area of international commercial arbitration and their global impact
Key themes:
The New York Convention as the cornerstone of the enforcement of arbitral awards
The UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration
UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules
PART II. - Duration: about 1 hour (specialized)
Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS)
4. UNCITRAL Working Group III and the ISDS Reform
Key themes:
Origins of the ISDS Reform process
The work on transparency in treaty-based ISDS: differences between international commercial and investment arbitration
Identified concerns: consistency, high costs, duration, legitimacy of the ISDS proceedings
Role of States and observers in consensus-driven reform
5. Reform elements developed by Working Group III to address the concerns
Key themes:
Code of Conduct for Arbitrators and Judges (2023)
Advisory Centre on International Investment Dispute Resolution (2024)
Mediation and alternative dispute resolution in investment disputes
Possible future institutional mechanisms (standing bodies / appellate structures)
Procedural Rules reform
State’s right to regulate and the policy space
Multilateral instrument to implement the various reform elements
PART III. - Duration: about 20 min.
6. Concluding Roundtable and Q&A
All speakers are invited to provide brief final remarks on:
The future of ISDS Reform within UNCITRAL
The role of technical legal harmonization in global economic stability
I warmly invite policymakers, academics, legal practitioners, business leaders, and students to join us for this important discussion.
Łukasz Dawid Dąbrowski
Assistant Professor, Institute of World Economy
SGH Warsaw School of Economics
Attorny-at-law
Biogram SGH -Link
ORCID:Link
Sanctions on Russia: Trading Under Pressure. National Security, International Trade, and Questions of Effectiveness
An Inquiry into the Role of Restrictive Measures in Shaping Strategic Security, Political Stability, Trade Relations, and Global Investment Flows
Link to registration and seminar details
Ladies and Gentlemen,
it is my great pleasure to invite you to the seminar devoted to the issue of sanctions (restrictive measures) adopted by the EU against Russia in response to the armed aggression against Ukraine, and their implications on national security, but also on trade and investments.
The meeting will take place in person at the Warsaw School of Economics
December 11, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM,
Building G, Auditorium II, Al. Niepodległości 162,
and online via MS Teams.
Since 2014, the European Union has imposed an evolving package of sanctions in response to Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine. These measures—expanded significantly after the full-scale invasion of 2022—target key sectors of trade, finance, and investment, aiming to curb Russia’s ability to sustain the war. Nearly a decade later, however, important questions remain.
These issues and interdependencies are particularly important from Poland’s perspective, given its proximity to the theater of war in Ukraine and the ongoing hybrid attacks by Russia—ranging from fake news to “drone attacks” on Polish territory.
This seminar will explore the following themes:
Block 1: Legal, Institutional and Political Dimensions
What are the legal bases of EU sanctions under EU and international law, and are they consistent with WTO rules?
Do sanctions serve mainly as symbolic expressions of political resolve, or do they generate tangible strategic effects – to what extent have EU sanctions achieved their intended political goals since 2014?
How should effectiveness be assessed: by weakening Russia’s economy, constraining its war effort, or influencing its political decision-making?
How USA and geopolitical situation influence effectiveness of EU sanctions?
Block 2: Adaptation, Circumvention, and Economic Consequences
Which sectors of international trade have been most affected by EU measures against Russia?
How have sanctions reshaped foreign investment flows between the EU, Russia, and third countries (e.g., China, Turkey, Gulf states) and how do EU sanctions impact third countries and multinational corporations?
How has Russia adapted to sanctions through import substitution, alternative markets, or “shadow” trade networks – what role do non-EU states play in circumvention, and how effective are enforcement mechanisms in addressing it?
Do sanctions strengthen or weaken the EU’s position within global trade networks – what unintended consequences have EU sanctions had for global supply chains, energy security, and international finance?
Bringing together experts in international law, economics, and policy-making, the event will offer a comprehensive, multidisciplinary perspective on one of the most pressing trade and security issues of our time.
I cordially invite policymakers, academics, legal practitioners, business leaders, and students to join us for this important discussion.
Łukasz Dawid Dąbrowski
Assistant Professor, Institute of World Economy
SGH Warsaw School of Economics
Attorny-at-law
Biogram SGH -Link
ORCID:Link
Whistleblowing w walce z korupcją w miejscu pracy: „dmuchanie w gwizdek” czy „para w gwizdek”?
Paradoksy ochrony sygnalistów: między fasadową etyką a lukami prawnymi
Link do rejestracji i szczegółów seminarium
Szanowni Państwo,
z ogromną przyjemnością zapraszam Państwa na seminarium poświęcone zagadnieniu ochrony sygnalistów, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem mechanizmów zgłaszania działań o charakterze korupcyjnym.
Spotkanie odbędzie się stacjonarnie w Szkole Głównej Handlowej w Warszawie
30 października 2025 r., w godzinach 12:00–14:00
budynek G, Aula II, Al. Niepodległości 162
zdalnie przez platformę MS Teams.
W codziennej pracy wielu pracowników styka się z nieetycznymi praktykami – kumoterstwem, nepotyzmem lub działaniami promującymi osoby niekompetentne, lecz wpływowe. Tego rodzaju układy, zarówno w sektorze publicznym, jak i prywatnym, utrudniają rzetelne wykonywanie obowiązków, ograniczają rozwój zawodowy i negatywnie wpływają na dobrostan psychofizyczny pracownika.
Jednym z instrumentów prawnych służącym przeciwdziałaniu tym zjawiskom jest ustawa o ochronie sygnalistów. Choć to stosunkowo nowe narzędzie, budzi ono duże nadzieje i oczekiwania.
Celem seminarium jest przede wszystkim omówienie kluczowych mechanizmów ochronnych przewidzianych w ustawie o ochronie sygnalistów oraz próba odpowiedzi na pytania dotyczące jej praktycznego funkcjonowania:
czy przewidziane w ustawie mechanizmy są skuteczne z punktu widzenia formalnoprawnego?
jakie są przyczyny jej ograniczonego stosowania?
jakie miejsce ustawa zajmuje w systemie prawa pracy?
jakie działania mogą stanowić podstawę do uruchomienia jej procedur – zwłaszcza w kontekście zachowań o charakterze korupcyjnym?
czy ustawa ułatwia „zachowanie się przyzwoicie” bez narażania się na negatywne konsekwencje ze strony funkcjonujących układów instytucjonalnych, takich jak kliki, koterie lub nieformalne sieci wpływów?
jakie środki ochrony przysługują sygnaliście w przypadku ujawnienia jego tożsamości i zastosowania wobec niego „systemowego” mobbingu lub dyskryminacji?
Seminarium kierowane jest do szerokiego grona odbiorców, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem studentów, którzy jako przyszli pracownicy i liderzy różnych organizacji powinni już dziś zdobywać wiedzę na temat etycznych standardów pracy, mechanizmów ochrony sygnalistów oraz sposobów przeciwdziałania korupcji.
Wierzę, że spotkanie to stanie się ważnym głosem w debacie nie tylko o potrzebie tworzenia i wdrażania polityk ochronnych (kodeksów, procedur, wytycznych), ale przede wszystkim o konieczności realnego przestrzegania podstawowych wartości i praw pracowniczych. Liczę również na to, że przyczyni się ono do podniesienia świadomości w zakresie dostępnych pracownikom narzędzi ochrony prawnej.
Serdecznie zapraszam,
Łukasz Dawid Dąbrowski
adiunkt, Instytut Gospodarki Światowej
Szkoła Główna Handlowa w Warszawie
Adwokat
Biogram SGH – Link do biogramu
ORCID – Link do ORCID
Publikacja: Prawo pracy w zarysie – Link do publikacji
Publikacja: Przestępczość korupcyjna w świetle prawa międzynarodowego – Link do publikacji
Academic Seminars 2026/2027
Seminaria naukowe 2026/2027
Risky Business? Legal Rules on High-Risk Vendors and Their Global Trade Effects
Commercial and Trade Relations with China in a Shifting Global Order: Between Strategic Dependence and Legal Restrictions
Link to registration and seminar details Registration is not open yet
Ladies and Gentlemen,
it is my great pleasure to invite you to a seminar dedicated to the intersection of cybersecurity, international trade law, and geopolitics, highlighting the EU’s delicate balancing act: securing critical infrastructure while managing complex trade relations with China. The HRV debate provides a platform for a broader discussion on cooperation with China, particularly in light of its close ties with Russia.
The meeting will take place in person at the Warsaw School of Economics
March, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM,
Building G, Auditorium II, Al. Niepodległości 162,
and online via MS Teams.
The global rollout of fifth-generation (5G) networks is advancing rapidly, with the United States and China leading in coverage, although significant regional disparities remain. While sixth-generation (6G) technology is still in development, countries such as the U.S., China, Japan, and South Korea are already investing heavily in 6G research and contributing to the creation of international standards.
Alongside these technological advances, EU Member States face critical challenges in protecting infrastructure from potential foreign influence, particularly regarding Chinese telecommunications suppliers. Many EU countries have introduced regulatory frameworks to identify and restrict high-risk vendors (HRVs), reflecting growing concerns over cybersecurity, national security, and strategic dependence. These measures carry important implications for EU–China trade relations, as they directly limit the participation of Chinese firms in European ICT markets and, to some extent, align with broader U.S. policy objectives.
Excluding certain entities—primarily Chinese ICT equipment suppliers—from the telecommunications market directly impacts both the financial standing of those vendors and the businesses that rely on their services. Companies dependent on HRVs face costs associated with equipment replacement, operational disruptions, and potential delays in infrastructure rollout. These burdens fall disproportionately on telecommunications operators and, more broadly, on the IT sector.
This seminar will address the following key themes:
What are the main legal and economic consequences for businesses when a supplier is designated as a high-risk vendor (HRV)?
How do HRV regulations influence the balance between national security concerns and the principles of free trade under WTO rules?
In what ways do EU regulatory measures shape political and commercial relations with China in the ICT sector?
What challenges do EU Member States face in maintaining technological sovereignty while relying on global supply chains?
How might the designation of HRVs affect global ICT markets and the pace of innovation?
Can restrictions on HRVs inadvertently create trade tensions or discourage international investment?
How should policymakers reconcile cybersecurity imperatives with commitments under international trade agreements?
What strategies can businesses adopt to mitigate risks associated with HRV regulations while remaining competitive internationally?
Bringing together leading experts in international law, economics, and policy-making, the seminar will provide a comprehensive, multidisciplinary perspective on one of the most pressing trade and security challenges of our time.
I warmly invite policymakers, academics, legal practitioners, business leaders, and students to join us for this important discussion.
Łukasz Dawid Dąbrowski
Assistant Professor, Institute of World Economy
SGH Warsaw School of Economics
Attorny-at-law
Biogram SGH -Link
ORCID:Link
No Work, No Reward? The Shorter Workweek Is Here!
How Reduced Working Hours Could Shake Up Your Job and Life
Link to registration and seminar details Registration is not open yet
Ladies and Gentlemen,
it is my great pleasure to invite you to a seminar dedicated to the topic of working time.
The meeting will take place in person at the Warsaw School of Economics
October, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM,
Building G, Auditorium II, Al. Niepodległości 162,
and online via MS Teams.
The standard working week in Europe is approximately 40 hours, although there is no single uniform standard across all countries, and averages differ by sector and nation. The EU Working Time Directive sets a maximum of 48 hours per week, including overtime, and guarantees minimum daily and weekly rest periods.
Iceland launched a pilot program for a four-day workweek as early as 2015, the United Kingdom conducted trials in 2022, and similar experiments are currently underway in Germany and Spain. In many cases, productivity remained stable while employee well-being improved. In Scotland, a 32-hour workweek was introduced for certain public officials without any reduction in pay, while in Belgium employees are allowed to compress their workweek into four days by extending their daily working hours. By contrast, the Spanish parliament rejected a proposal to introduce a shorter working week.
In Poland, although there are no formal regulations regarding a four-day workweek, some companies and public institutions have introduced shorter schedules on their own initiative. A government pilot program is now testing reduced working hours (e.g., 35 hours per week) in selected Polish companies. Employers that meet specific requirements related to employment contracts, employee tenure, and the participation of at least half of their workforce may receive up to PLN 1 million in subsidies from the Labour Fund (PLN 20,000 per employee), provided they maintain both employment levels and salaries.
The potential benefits of such arrangements include improved work–life balance, more opportunities for personal development, reduced risk of burnout, and extended professional activity. Employers have reported gains in efficiency and creativity, fewer errors and accidents, and stronger competitiveness in the labor market. Nonetheless, many Polish employers continue to express concerns about possible declines in productivity and the need to reorganize workflows. At the same time, research indicates that employees are increasingly motivated by access to remote or hybrid work options, which are becoming more feasible thanks to modern digital tools.
This seminar will explore the following themes:
Block 1: Opportunities and Challenges of a Shorter Workweek
What are the main benefits for employees of a shortened workweek, in light of international experiences – and how can those experiences inspire Polish businesses and public institutions?
Do international examples suggest that a shorter workweek improves productivity, or do they rather challenge the traditional saying that “no gain without pain”?
What legal and organizational challenges are associated with implementing a four-day workweek?
Could reducing working hours have a negative impact on people employed under civil law contracts, such as contract of mandate (umowa zlecenie) or contract for a specific work (umowa o dzieło)?
What alternatives to a shortened workweek – such as remote or hybrid work – can be applied in Poland to improve employee motivation and well-being?
Block 2: Risks, Inequalities, and Long-Term Consequences of a Shorter Workweek
Could a shorter workweek create inequalities between employees in different sectors or at different levels of the organizational hierarchy?
Could a shorter workweek (combined with little or no homework in schools) reduce the aspirations and ambitions of the younger generation?
Can a “resting nation” remain competitive economically and technologically compared to countries that prioritize constant growth and long working hours?
Does the policy of shorter working hours create inequalities for those who continue to work hard in order to succeed?
Is shorter working time and a focus on rest a path toward sustainable living, or does it risk weakening the country’s competitiveness and slowing development – and if so, what mechanisms should be introduced to prevent a decline in innovation and productivity at both the national and international level?
Bringing together leading experts in international law, economics, and policy-making, the seminar will provide a comprehensive, multidisciplinary perspective on one of the most pressing trade and security challenges of our time.
I warmly invite policymakers, academics, legal practitioners, business leaders, and students to join us for this important discussion.
Łukasz Dawid Dąbrowski
Assistant Professor, Institute of World Economy
SGH Warsaw School of Economics
Attorny-at-law
Biogram SGH -Link
ORCID:Link
Szukasz tematu pracy dyplomowej, który nie tylko spełnia wymagania akademickie, ale także dotyczy rzeczywistych problemów?
Zakres proponowanych tematów obejmuje zagadnienia istotne z perspektywy współczesnych procesów gospodarczych, prawnych i społecznych, analizowanych w ujęciu krajowym oraz międzynarodowym.
🌍 Handel międzynarodowy i prawo handlu międzynarodowego
Analiza mechanizmów kształtujących globalny obrót towarami i usługami oraz regulacji prawnych stanowiących podstawę funkcjonowania współczesnych rynków międzynarodowych.
💼 Handel zagraniczny i prawo handlu zagranicznego
Badanie relacji gospodarczych między państwami, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem wymiany handlowej, barier celnych oraz regulacji prawnych wpływających na przepływ towarów i usług.
🤝 Inwestycje zagraniczne i międzynarodowe umowy inwestycyjne
Analiza systemów ochrony inwestycji, zakresu zobowiązań państw oraz praw inwestorów, a także mechanizmów rozstrzygania sporów w drodze arbitrażu międzynarodowego.
👷 Świadczenie pracy w ujęciu krajowym i międzynarodowym
Porównawcze ujęcie regulacji prawa pracy w różnych jurysdykcjach, obejmujące zarówno normy krajowe, jak i standardy wynikające z aktów prawa międzynarodowego.
🔐 Cyfryzacja - cyberbezpieczeństwo
Ujęcie prawne i organizacyjne cyfryzacji, digitalizacji, cyberbezpieczeństwa, ochrony danych oraz współpracy międzynarodowej w zakresie bezpieczeństwa teleinformatycznego.
📈 Rynki regulowane – mechanizmy i wyzwania
Charakterystyka funkcjonowania rynków podlegających szczególnym reżimom prawnym, rynku komunikacji elektronicznej, energii lub transportu, i innych sektorów strategicznych.
💡 Znaczenie podjęcia wskazanej problematyki
Realizacja pracy dyplomowej w wybranym obszarze umożliwia:
pogłębienie wiedzy specjalistycznej w zakresie analizowanych zagadnień,
rozwinięcie umiejętności identyfikacji oraz interpretacji złożonych problemów prawnych i gospodarczych,
odniesienie treści badawczych do realnych procesów kształtujących współczesne życie gospodarcze, polityczne i społeczne.
Are you looking for a thesis topic that not only meets academic requirements but also engages with real-world issues?
The scope of the proposed topics covers issues of significance from the perspective of contemporary economic, legal, and social processes, examined in both national and international contexts.
🌍 International Trade and International Trade Law
Analysis of the mechanisms shaping the global exchange of goods and services, as well as the legal frameworks underpinning the functioning of contemporary international markets.
💼 Foreign Trade and Foreign Trade Law
Examination of economic relations between states, with particular focus on trade exchange, customs barriers, and legal regulations affecting the movement of goods and services.
🤝 Foreign Investments and International Investment Agreements
Analysis of investment protection systems, the scope of state obligations and investor rights, as well as dispute resolution mechanisms through international arbitration.
👷 Employment in National and International Contexts
Comparative study of labour law regulations across various jurisdictions, encompassing both domestic norms and standards derived from international legal instruments.
🔐 Digitalization - Cybersecurity
Legal and organisational aspects of digitisation, cybersecurity, data protection and international cooperation in the field of information and communication security.
📈 Regulated Markets – Mechanisms and Challenges
Characteristics of markets subject to special legal regimes, including electronic communications, energy, transport, and other strategic sectors.
💡 Significance of Addressing the Selected Issues
Conducting a thesis in one of the proposed areas allows for:
deepening specialist knowledge in the chosen field of study,
developing skills in identifying and interpreting complex legal and economic problems,
relating research findings to real processes shaping contemporary economic, political, and social life.