The SPJ DC Pro Chapter hosted a journalism mixer for a group of visiting journalists from Poland March 24 at the National Press Club in the Truman Lounge. The group’s visit is funded by the Polish-U.S. Fulbright Commission and organized by World Learning, Inc.
Members of the DC chapter attended as well as members of the local group of the Society of Environmental Journalists. Bad weather kept others who had signed up from being able to make it to the happy hour event.
Even with a small number of American journalists attending, the Polish journalists said they enjoyed the evening get-together. Conversations among the guests and locals shifted throughout the reception, giving both sides plenty of opportunities to “talk shop” and to just relax with a beer and some snacks.
The Polish journalists group met with a number of news organizations while in Washington. DC Pro Chapter treasurer and national SPJ International Community co-chair Dan Kubiske helped set up their sessions with WAMU, Street Sense and Just Security using local SPJ contacts. They also met with long-time SPJ member Robert Becker to discussion freedom of information laws and journalism ethics.
The organizers from World Learning said they were very impressed with the quality of the contacts offered by SPJ DC Pro. The group hosts a number of international visitors from many walks of life. The organizers said they hope to include more discussions with Washington-area journalists for all their groups in the future.
