Urban Lab Podcast #16 - Gość Specjalny: Ministra Edukacji - Barbara Nowacka

In this episode of the Urban Lab Podcast, recorded on June 8, 2026, during an official visit to Kielce, we host Barbara Nowacka, Minister of National Education. We discuss how to truly engage young people in decision-making processes and ensure their voices have real impact in the public sphere. The Minister shares her impressions from an open meeting with Kielce youth and discusses the development of the National Youth Strategy and its local equivalents, such as the "Kielce for Young People" program. The discussion also touches on fundamental issues of student mental health, reforming intra-school relationships, and upcoming legal changes in education. We cover topics such as: Youth strategies in practice – how to ensure that national and local programs have a real impact on young people's daily lives; The courage of Kielce youth – the Minister's reflections after an open dialogue with several hundred students and their direct, challenging questions; - Strengthening Self-Governance – The Role of School Budgets as Tools for Giving Young People a Real Sense of Empowerment; Student Ombudsmen – Announcing Systemic Changes and the Introduction of New Roles in Schools from 2028; The Mental Health Crisis – Challenges for the Modern Generation and Building Student Resilience and Empowerment; Relationships at School Above All – Why Trust and Respect Between Teachers, Students, and Parents Are Key to Change. This conversation not only provides a solid understanding of the direction of change in Polish schools, but also demonstrates the immense value of openness, youth empowerment, and mutual respect in today's world. 🎤 The conversation is led by councilors of the Kielce Youth City Council: Aleksandra Saletra and Jakub tutaj. 📌 If you want to learn about the direction Polish schools are heading, how to systemically support student voice, and how to build modern education based on dialogue – this episode is for you!