If there is one positive thing to say about the terrible events that have befallen us in the last weeks, it is Poland (and its eastern neighbor and close friend Ukraine) have garnered the sympathy and ositive attention of the whole world, especially the western part of it. If I had access to a “sentiment barometer” for Poland vs. other countries in the eyes of the world’s population, I think Poland during the last month would have qualified as a safe runner-up to the heroes in Ukraine.

Poland needs this. But also Poland deserves this. I must say that the unity, engagement and unbelievable support Poles, Polish companies and institutions have delivered has been second to none.

While you hear other EU and western countries wondering how to manage thousands of refugees, Poland has been providing shelter to millions of refugees and doing it with a humanitarian and open-hearted spirit.

When I met the Warsaw deputy mayor recently he told me, on the “refugee-acceptance” index, Poland had climbed from the 100th spot to the 3rd rank in a matter of two weeks – behind Turkey for Syrian refugees – and the US.

Meanwhile, although the World Bank has cut its forecast of Poland's GDP growth in 2022 by 0.8 percentage points to 3.9 percent owing to the impact of the war in Ukraine, I don’t think it’s too bad. And with that, I hope and pray for peace soon. And in the spirit of this issue’s cover star, I will say, there are still so many things we influence that can be better — let us work for a better tomorrow!

Three observations from the past weeks:

1. Understanding the new reality for the Polish economy, when its population has risen by over 6% in six weeks

2. US President Joe Biden’s visit to Poland highlighting the credit Poland has been getting in these tough times

3. You are never too old — I made a new personal best at Warsaw Half Marathon in March