The COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, floods, and disinformation have demonstrated that societal security depends not only on the effectiveness of institutions but also on citizens’ ability to cooperate and support one another. What lessons have we learned from the experiences of recent years? What undermines our resilience, and how can we strengthen it? These are the questions we explore in the third episode of the Łukasiewicz – ITECH Podcast.
The latest episode features Magdalena Baran, PhD, Assistant Professor at the Institute of Sociology, Cognitive Science and Philosophy at the University of the National Education Commission in Kraków, Managing Editor of Liberté! magazine, and Senior Fellow at the European Liberal Forum in Brussels. In conversation with Szymon Kępka, she discusses the key findings of her report, “What Holds Us Together? Social Resilience in Times of Complex Crises.”
Odporność społeczna to nie tylko reagowanie na kryzysy
Social resilience goes beyond the ability to withstand an immediate threat. It also encompasses the capacity to adapt to changing circumstances and learn from past experiences. As Magdalena Baran, PhD, explains, social resilience can be understood on three levels: coping with short-term disruptions, adapting to prolonged crises, and implementing lasting changes that reduce vulnerability to future threats.
Poles Are Capable of Mobilising, but Spontaneous Solidarity Is Not Enough
The COVID-19 pandemic, efforts to support refugees from Ukraine, and the floods in Lower Silesia have demonstrated the considerable potential of grassroots mobilisation. Neighbourhood support networks emerged, volunteering expanded, and citizens often responded more quickly than formal support structures. According to the expert, these experiences remain a valuable form of social capital. The challenge, however, lies in turning spontaneous solidarity into lasting mechanisms for cooperation that can also prove effective during prolonged crises.
Disinformation and Polarisation Undermine Social Resilience
Contemporary hybrid threats can involve the gradual erosion of trust in the state, public institutions, the media, and fellow citizens. Disinformation exploits emotions and existing social divisions, making it more difficult to assess situations accurately and make rational decisions.
“Polarisation is always the enemy of resilience,” emphasises Magdalena Baran, PhD.
Media literacy, critical thinking, and the ability to verify information are therefore becoming increasingly important. Equally essential are building connections between different social groups and strengthening the capacity to cooperate across divisions.
Resilience Requires Cooperation Between Government, Local Authorities, Civil Society Organisations, and Businesses
An effective resilience system cannot be built solely at the central government level. The state should provide the legal framework, funding, and protection of critical infrastructure, while local authorities, civil society organisations, and citizens play a crucial role in coordinating local initiatives. The expert also highlights the potential of businesses, which can contribute equipment, logistical resources, and specialised expertise. It is therefore essential to identify available resources in advance and establish networks of cooperation before a crisis occurs.
Practical Preparedness Among Citizens Is Just as Important as Infrastructure
Even the most carefully designed procedures cannot ensure safety if citizens do not know how to follow them. One example is the use of warning sirens, which do not always prompt an appropriate response because people have become accustomed to alerts or struggle to assess the level of threat. Practical training is therefore essential, covering areas such as evacuation procedures, first aid, emergency preparedness, and the ability to recognise disinformation.
Trust and the Common Good as Foundations of Resilience
The key takeaway from the conversation is the importance of social relationships. Trust in neighbours, local communities, and institutions facilitates cooperation and strengthens people’s willingness to act in times of crisis.
Magdalena Baran, PhD, emphasises the need to strengthen the values that unite society across divisions: solidarity, responsibility, justice, and a commitment to the common good. Alongside effective institutions and adequate preparedness, these values form the foundation of resilience to future crises.
We invite you to watch or listen to the third episode of the Łukasiewicz – ITECH Podcast.
The episode is available on our YouTube , Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.