North Star Forum Where Sound Decisions Begin
North Star Forum in Władysławowo is an expert forum dedicated to the security, politics, and economy of the countries in the Baltic Sea region. Organized by the Nordic Institute, the event provides a space for in-depth analysis and substantive debate on the key challenges facing the region.
The Forum brings together analysts, experts, and representatives from public institutions and the business sector, who work together to understand geopolitical processes, economic changes, and the dynamics of regional security.
The starting point for North Star Forum is the conviction that sound decisions are based on rigorous analysis and a deep understanding of reality. In this context, the Baltic Sea region is seen not only as a distinct space for cooperation, but also as an area strongly influenced by broader international and global political and economic processes.
The Forum therefore focuses on analyzing both regional conditions and external imperatives shaping the security and development environment. Key importance is placed on the exchange of knowledge, the confrontation of perspectives, and the formulation of practical conclusions that can support decision-making processes.
North Star Forum is a space for dialogue, where knowledge meets experience, and reflection translates into concrete recommendations. The strength and soundness of decisions depend on the quality of advice.
Key Features of North Star Forum
Time left until the conference
Event program
September 3, 2026, Władysławowo, Poland
Panel 1
Clean Sea, Safe Land: Redressing Threat Asymmetries in the Baltic Sea Region
This opening panel evaluates Baltic security through regional asymmetries and key geographic choke points. Bridging local and macro perspectives, it explores how municipal and infrastructure investments across the Pomeranian and other Baltic regions fortify national resilience and sustain the Nordic-Baltic economic models. Discussions will address sub-threshold tactics, from the ecological threats of the “shadow fleet” to corporate cyber espionage. Ultimately, the session examines the nexus between environmental security and long-term stability, focusing on how Baltic Sea littoral states can leverage their economic capabilities and market power to transition from reactive crisis management toward a proactive security architecture.
Panel 2
Digital Wall and Maritime Horizon: AI in Strategic Border Protection
Bringing together border security experts, defense technology pioneers, and strategic analysts, this panel examines the operational integration of Artificial Intelligence in safeguarding land and maritime frontiers. The discussion focuses on building an advanced “Digital Wall”—leveraging autonomous surveillance, predictive analytics, and real-time data fusion to counter sophisticated hybrid threats. By bridging tactical frontline experience from the Baltic and Nordic borders with corporate technological innovation, the session addresses both the strategic necessity of public-private cooperation and the geopolitical implications of tech-driven deterrence.
Panel 3
The Baltic Consensus: The Strategic Dimension of Security Policy in the Baltic Region
Focusing on the political architecture of regional defense, this panel explores the prospects for deepening strategic cohesion among Nordic and Baltic nations. In the wake of recent geopolitical shifts, the discussion will analyze the convergence of national security doctrines and the political mechanisms required to sustain a unified deterrence posture. Panelists will address challenges to regional consensus, including infrastructure resilience and supply chain dependencies, evaluating how institutional cooperation can effectively align national political priorities with collective, long-term security objectives in the Baltic basin.
Panel 4
From Reactive Defence to Strategic Initiative: Redefining the Logic of Action in Security
Moving beyond passive crisis management, this session explores how to reject an opponent’s logic by shifting from reactive defense to strategic initiative. The discussion will focus on active deterrence and systematically limiting the adversary’s freedom of action to neutralize escalation. Panelists will also dissect the critical narrative dimension of modern conflict, examining how imposing one’s own interpretative framework shapes the strategic environment. Ultimately, the panel tackles how Baltic and Western allies can preserve both operational and communicational initiative, preventing external actors from dictating the rules of the game.
Participants
Thomas Becker
John Strand
Prof. Ryszard Machnikowski
Prof. Timo Hellenberg
Retired Col. Vaidotas Malinionis
Michael Malm
Dr Niklas Swanström
Prof. Ulrich Schneckener
Dr Wojciech Lieder
Dr Julian Pawlak
Organizer
Strategic partner
The project was co-financed by the Władysławowo Commune
Useful information
Directions to get there
By Car:
From Germany – the new, scenic Kaszuby Route (expressway S6) awaits you.
By Ferry:
- To Świnoujście from Ystad, Trelleborg, or Malmö (POLSCA, FINNLINES), then join your friends from Germany on the S6.
- To Gdynia from Karlskrona (Stena Line) or to Gdańsk from Nynäshamn (POLSCA).
In every case, the scenic Route 216 will welcome you just before Władysławowo.
By Plane:
Gdańsk Airport – Lech Wałęsa Airport – the very essence of freedom. From there, you can reach Władysławowo by public transport (tickets on koleo.pl) or by Uber/Bolt.
By Bike:
For an even bigger adventure, two international cycling routes await: EuroVelo 10 (Baltic Sea Cycle Route) and EuroVelo 13 (Iron Curtain Trail).
NSF Logo Symbolism
The North Star Forum logo represents the unity of ten countries across the Baltic Sea and Northern region, grounded in shared values and solidarity in the face of emerging threats. Its central element is a wave composed of ten lines – each representing a country and its contribution to a common structure. Its clear eastward direction reflects vigilance and readiness to act, while the contour itself draws from geography, echoing the coastline of Northern Pomerania and the Hel Peninsula.
At the crest of the wave stands the North Star – a traditional symbol of orientation and direction. Its center points to the Municipality of Władysławowo, the northernmost municipality in Poland. This is no coincidence. It is a deliberate indication of Poland as a space open to the North – an invitation to cooperation and deeper regional ties across the Baltic Sea area.
The strength of this cooperation is expressed through a ring of ten concepts in national languages. Each of them is not a slogan, but a reflection of experience and a distinct way of operating.
Poland stands for NIEZŁOMNOŚĆ – resilience in defending principles under pressure. Estonia brings NUTIKUS, a practical intelligence and the ability to adapt quickly. Sweden represents SAMVERKAN – a model of cooperation between institutions and society that translates into real state capacity. Latvia’s IZAUGSME reflects growth driven by consistency and the effective use of limited resources. Iceland’s SAMVINNA stands for solidarity that, in smaller communities, becomes a real mechanism of shared responsibility. Germany’s GRÜNDLICHKEIT contributes discipline and operational precision. Finland’s SISU represents mental resilience and the ability to act under difficult conditions. Norway’s BÆREKRAFT reflects long-term thinking and balance between development and responsibility. Lithuania’s DARNA emphasizes coherence and harmony in decision-making, while Denmark’s FÆLLESSKAB completes the picture as a deeply rooted sense of community and shared responsibility.
Together, they form a system of values that is not declarative, but a practical foundation for cooperation and for strengthening security across the region.
Partners & Sponsors
If your organization is interested in cooperation, please contact us at kontakt@instytutnordycki.com
Join the event
Join security leaders from across the region – expert panels, the latest trends, and networking all in one place. Register now!
