Malgorzata Bonikowska, president of the newly formed Polish Chapter of the ICF, was appointed a Vice President of the ICF at the ICF Assembly held in Caux, Switzerland in July 2007.
Born in 1970 and educated in Poland. Studied European History and Politics, graduated from Warsaw University and University of Sorbonne in Paris. Completed doctoral programs at the Postgraduate School of Social Sciences in the Polish Academy of Sciences and at the International Postgraduate School of Historical Sciences in the San Marino Republic. From 1996-97, Dr. Bonikowska was a visiting scholar at the Political Science Department of Columbia University in New York, studying Government Relations and Public Affairs under the umbrella of the Fulbright Program.
Since 2005 Dr. Bonikowska has been Team Leader at the European Commission’s Information and Communication Programme (under PHARE) on behalf of the Representation of the European Commission in Bulgaria. In 2001-2005 she used to work as media manager and Director at the similar programme in Poland. She has been cooperating with the Polish government as advisor and expert (Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Regional Development) and running a business consultancy (BOSS Consulting Group).
At the same time, Dr Bonikowska continues her academic career as researcher (habilitation thesis in preparation), lecturer (Warsaw University and private colleges), tutor, projects director and education manager (Rector at Business Academy in Warsaw, Head of Postgraduate studies in EU Funds and Public Procurement at University of Administration and Business in Gdynia).
From 1998-2000, Dr. Bonikowska was the Head of the European Information Centre and Adviser to the Minister at the Ministry for European Integration. Her duties included the preparation and implementation of information and education programs, management of projects co-financed by EU funds, grant management and grants distribution, team building and human resources management.
Dr. Bonikowska has a very good practical knowledge of the PHARE Programme and other EU funds, as well as extensive local and international experience in project management, information and education programs. She is also active in the NGO sector, being not only ICF member but also a member of the Programming Board of the academic Foundation “Europea”, advisor to the President of the Foundation “American University in Poland”, member of Association for Promoting Civil Society and President of India EU Council.