“The MISO Foundation Gala was a large networking and social event (about 400 participants) of a social/civic nature for individuals, organizations, institutions, companies involved in promoting the idea of civil society, fostering civic attitudes, and in activities to increase citizen involvement in the public and economic life of the country.” The event was attended by the MISO community, i.e., the Board of Directors, Program Council, associates, volunteers, the Analysis Center, as well as invited guests, including: leaders of NGOs and think-tanks, politicians, diplomats, local government officials, businessmen, representatives of the world of culture, science, administration and media.

On behalf of the Foundation, the official part of the Gala was addressed by Founder & CEO Mateusz Komorowski, Chairman of the Program Council Prof. Renata Mieńkowska-Norkiene and Head of the Center for Analysis Karol Reczkin. Actress Maja Komorowska, journalist Konrad Piasecki and Commissioner for Human Rights Prof. Marcin Wiącek (online) served as keynote speakers. The event was hosted by Wojciech Szeląg.

The gala was opened by the Managing Director of the Targowa Creative Center, Ms. Ewa Janus-Khouri, who presented Mateusz Komorowski with a commemorative plaque created by the New Technologies Studio, along with his wishes that MISO continues to create a civic and democratic future.

MISO CEO Mateusz Komorowski thanked the Gala participants for a big attendance, noting that the people met during the event share common values, the gene of citizenship and the framework of a democratic state of law. “For 10 years - or more precisely, for 10 years and 9 months, since MISO was established on January 13, 2012 - we have consistently pursued the Foundation's mission of promoting the idea of civil society, fostering civic attitudes and working to increase citizen involvement in the public and economic life of the country” - Mateusz Komorowski said. Since its inception, the Foundation has carried out more than 150 interesting and important social and civic projects and initiatives at the local, regional, national and international levels. These included various congresses, conferences, debates, workshops, trainings, seminars, roundtables and expert meetings. The Foundation also partnered with dozens of national and international events on civic issues. In addition, MISO nominated many young civic activists to participate in national and international programs, internships and study visits, and supported the development of emerging experts, leaders of social initiatives, active participants in public debate. Mateusz Komorowski stressed that “what the political scene and public life in Poland look like today is not the fault of democracy - it is the weakness of civil society in the political dimension. Without building a strong civil society, our democracy will always be lame. Let's also remember that we can't be a gray mass of individual electrons - we must form a team and act together, because broken, divided, passive, indifferent we will be powerless in confrontation with the authorities.” At the end of his speech, Mateusz Komorowski emphasized that MISO, after more than 10 years of its existence, is a dynamically developing and resilient Foundation with an established position on the NGO market, and he thanked the partners and donors with whom the Foundation cooperates on a daily basis and jointly implements civic projects.

Then Prof. Renata Mieńkowska-Norkiene, Chairman of the MISO Program Council, took the floor, thanking everyone involved in the development of the International Institute of Civil Society. “MISO has succeeded in drawing the attention of Poles to the problems of the labor market, among other things, and has managed to do a lot to improve the quality of cyber-security, as well as to create a community of people who want real democracy in Poland.” - the speaker added. Renata Mieńkowska-Norkiene stressed that she had a dream for Poland to return to the path of democracy, for the rights of all people to be respected, for Poland to be a safe country and a country with free media and fair elections. The chairwoman of the Program Council presented MISO's input to the humanitarian assistance in Ukraine and to refugees in Poland.

Karol Reczkin, Head of the MISO Analysis Center, shared the history of the establishment of the Center, which is MISO's analytical and expert center, and presented plans for 2023. “This is a special anniversary moment, and based on all available expertise and opinions we have gathered at MISO AC, we have come to the conclusion that 10 years is the ideal age for the thriving development of our activities.”

The second part of the Gala featured keynote speakers. In his speech, journalist Konrad Piasecki focused on the role of the media in democracy. “Weakening traditional media also means weakening liberal democracy,”  Mr Piasecki remaked. News televisions are the televisions to which the community is still attached, and this gives hope. Especially after the pandemic era and now during the war in Ukraine, people trust this type of traditional media. “Unfortunately, a large part of the public that learns about the world from the Internet are those who learn from social media. They are controlled by algorithms that try to arouse feelings like fear, rage, resentment or aggression. This type of information is transmitted without any control.” - Konrad Piasecki said. He concluded his speech with an appeal - “Let's take care of the traditional media, though let's not get into social media discussions in terms of their information bubbles. Let's remember that we ouselves create the media. Let's take care of the media, because the death of the media is the death of democracy.”

Next, actress Maja Komorowska took the floor, noting that “you can't build a true democratic and civil society without social responsibility.” She talked about steps NGOs should take in order to act strategically, professionally and effectively. She cited examples of organizations and activists that are close to her beliefs. “Nor can I forget my gratitude to all those who act selflessly for others, and who in this apocalyptic world show that there is goodness among us. Hope comes from kindness, and without hope nothing makes sense.” - the actress concluded.

Closing speech was that of Commissioner for Human Rights Prof. Marcin Wiącek, who, in a recorded message to the participants, congratulated the MISO Foundation on the beautiful jubilee of its activities and stressed that the foundation appeared in Poland at a very difficult time, setting extremely ambitious goals. “You have strengthened the main structure of NGOs, whose role in civil society can perhaps only be compared to the work of the heart in a human body,” he said. The CHR said he regarded the involvement of NGOs with the utmost satisfaction and gratitude. For both the organization and the Commissioner, the most important things are people, responding to their needs and helping them solve problems. He concluded his speech with the words: “I am directing an appeal to NGOs  to be particularly vigilant and active wherever human dignity may be threatened or civic subjectivity disregarded. Let the motto of the International Institute of Civil Society  be a model for all of us: “Together we can do more!”.

The official part of the event ended with a concert by the “Queens of Violin” violin duo.