Lech Walesa went from electrician to union leader to in 1990 becoming the first democratically elected President of Poland. The first mention of Mr Walesa’s dissident activities goes back to 1968, when he encouraged his fellow workers at the Gdansk shipyard to boycott the official rallies condemning students’ strikes. From... Read more
Lech Walesa went from electrician to union leader to in 1990 becoming the first democratically elected President of Poland.
The first mention of Mr Walesa’s dissident activities goes back to 1968, when he encouraged his fellow workers at the Gdansk shipyard to boycott the official rallies condemning students’ strikes. From that time on, he started to be increasingly active in social affairs in Poland. He actively participated in the Strike Committee during the 1970 protests and was offered the post of the President of the Committee.
His personal stance, tenacious negotiations, and campaigning for the strikers’ demands led to the establishment of the Solidarity Free Independent Trade Union. It was the first bloodless victory in Polish history. This was also the time when the eyes of the entire world were on Gdansk and Lech Walesa. The totalitarian regime reacted to those developments by introducing martial law in December 1981. Mr Walesa was among the first individuals to be interned. Two years later, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
By the end of the 1980s, Mr Walesa sat down to negotiate with the Communist authorities at the Round Table as the head of the delegation of the democratic opposition. His determination and courage led to a compromise with the already weak, but still dangerous Communist regime. The compromise resulted in the elections of 1989 and the establishment of the first non-Communist government on the eastern side of the Iron Curtain.
Today Mr Walesa continues his mission as the spokesperson for solidarity. He travels around the world, retelling the story of the Polish experience and the non-violent struggle for peace and democracy. Through his lectures and dialogue with young people, he calls for the building of a modern world founded on universal values. Being a supporter of globalisation and seeing the opportunities offered by new technologies and the development of civilisation, he encourages the establishment of new structures of a peaceful cooperation of nations.
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You can book Lech Walesa through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Lech's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
Lech Walesa's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Lech tailored to your event.
Lech Walesa speaks on a range of business, leadership and industry subjects. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Lech to align the content with your delegates and goals.
London Speaker Bureau can book Lech Walesa for events worldwide, subject to Lech's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.
Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Lech Walesa is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).
Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Lech can accommodate.
London Speaker Bureau will brief Lech Walesa on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Lech can offer.
Lech Walesa delivers keynotes in English. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.
Lech Walesa's areas of expertise include a range of business, leadership and industry subjects. To get a clear sense of Lech's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.
Lech Walesa can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in a range of business, leadership and industry subjects is relevant. Details of Lech's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.
Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Lech Walesa is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.
We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Lech Walesa, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Lech's current availability for your dates.