在休士顿，聆听一位前总理谈世界

今晚，我来到德州波兰商会（PolChamTX）年会会场。冬夜的休士顿略带寒意，大厅裡却灯火通明、宾客云集，从服装、谈吐到眼神，都看得出来这是一个充满国际视野与商业抱负的社群。

年会正式开始前，最受瞩目的，就是波兰前总理马泰乌什・莫拉维茨基（Mateusz Morawiecki）的专题演说。他一走上讲台，全场安静下来，聚光灯落在他身上，也照亮了我们这个时代正在面临的课题。

莫拉维茨基从欧洲的安全局势谈起，提到俄乌战争带来的长期冲击，能源供应的重组，以及北约、防务合作对欧洲与世界的重要性。他强调，波兰位於地缘政治的十字路口，既承受压力，也因此更清楚自由与安全的价值。

接着，他把视野拉到跨大西洋关係，谈到波兰和美国之间的合作，特别提到德州在能源、科技与国防產业中的关键角色。他说，今天的国际贸易与投资，不只是冷冰冰的数字与合约，而是一个国家如何与盟友共享风险、共担责任的体现。

坐在台下，我一边听，一边想到我们在休士顿这片土地上，所参与的每一项国际交流——波兰、亚洲、拉美、欧洲，不同的国家、不同的语言，却在同一个城市交会。国际政治的波涛，最后总是会反映在具体的能源价格、供应链布局、移民政策与社区生活上。

莫拉维茨基也提到民主与法治的重要。他说，社会可以在政党之间轮替，在政策路线上辩论，但如果对自由与民主失去信念，经济再繁荣、科技再进步，终究会失去方向。这番话，让我想到这些年在媒体与金融领域走过的道路：新闻是事实的记录，也是价值的守望；金融则是资本的流动，更是信任的体现。

会场裡，有企业家、有外交官、有学者，也有像我一样长期关注国际局势与社区发展的人。看着这样的组合，我再次感受到，休士顿早已不是单纯的一座城市，而是一个缩小版的全球舞台。今天听一位波兰前总理谈欧洲与世界，其实也是在照见我们自己城市的角色——我们站在能源、移民、多元文化与国际合作的交会点上。

年会结束时，宾客们三三两两互相寒暄、交换名片、合影留念。有人谈起未来的投资计画，有人谈到留学生与专业人才的交流，也有人关心战争阴影下的欧洲前景。这些对话，让我更确信：真正有远见的城市与社群，永远不只盯着眼前的利益，而是把自己放进世界的大棋盘裡思考位置。

走出会场，夜色已深。抬头看着寧静的德州星空，我心裡浮现一个念头：在这个多事之秋，能在休士顿听到来自波兰的声音，本身就是一种时代的交会。世界看似分裂，实际上，我们的命运早已紧紧相连。

Listening to a Former Prime Minister Talk About the World, in Houston

Tonight I attended the annual gala of the Polish-Texas Chamber of Commerce (PolChamTX). The winter air in Houston carried a slight chill, but inside the ballroom it was bright, warm, and filled with guests whose dress, conversation, and demeanor all reflected an international outlook and strong business ambitions.

Before the gala officially began, the most anticipated moment was the keynote speech by former Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. As he walked onto the stage, the room fell silent. The spotlight fell on him, but it also illuminated the challenges of our time.

Morawiecki began with the security situation in Europe, speaking about the long-term impact of the war in Ukraine, the reorganization of energy supplies, and the importance of NATO and defense cooperation for Europe and the wider world. He emphasized that Poland stands at a geopolitical crossroads—under pressure, yet acutely aware of the value of freedom and security.

He then shifted to the broader transatlantic relationship, discussing cooperation between Poland and the United States, with a special mention of Texas and its critical role in energy, technology, and defense industries. He noted that today’s global trade and investment are not just about cold numbers and contracts, but about how nations share risk and shoulder responsibility with their allies.

Sitting in the audience, I found myself thinking about the international exchanges we participate in here in Houston—Poland, Asia, Latin America, Europe. Different countries and different languages converge in this one city. The waves of global politics eventually show up in very concrete ways: in energy prices, supply chain decisions, immigration policies, and the daily life of our communities.

Morawiecki also spoke about the importance of democracy and the rule of law. A society can rotate power between political parties and debate its policy direction, he said, but if it loses faith in freedom and democracy, then no matter how prosperous its economy or advanced its technology, it will eventually lose its sense of purpose. His words reminded me of my own journey in media and finance: journalism records facts but also guards values; finance moves capital but ultimately rests on trust.

In the hall there were entrepreneurs, diplomats, scholars, and people like me who have long cared about international affairs and community development. Looking at this mix of people, I felt once again that Houston is no longer just a city—it is a miniature global stage. Listening to a former Polish prime minister talk about Europe and the world is, in a way, also a reflection of our own role: we stand at the intersection of energy, immigration, multiculturalism, and international cooperation.

When the gala ended, guests lingered in small groups, exchanging greetings, business cards, and photos. Some discussed future investment plans; others talked about student and professional exchanges; still others wondered about Europe’s future under the shadow of war. These conversations deepened my conviction that truly visionary cities and communities don’t focus only on short-term gain; they place themselves consciously on the larger global chessboard.

By the time I stepped outside, the night was deep and still. Looking up at the quiet Texas sky, one thought came to me: in these turbulent times, being able to hear a voice from Poland here in Houston is itself a meeting point of history. The world may seem divided, but in reality, our destinies are already tightly intertwined.