Norman Davies– a distinguished researcher of 20th century Polish history, writer and promoter of Polish history. He writes about history in the way everyone can read. He was born in Bolton, in North West England. Studied in Oxford, Grenoble, Perugia and Sussex.

Professor Jan Lubiński, M.D. – a prominent oncologist, founder and director of the Genetics and Pathological Morphology Department at the Pomeranian Medical Academy in Szczecin. He opened Poland’s first Genetic Oncology Consultancy Clinic in 1992 where he discovered that congenital genetic predispositions are crucial in cancer patients.

Janusz Steinhoff – an outstanding reformer of the Polish economy and politician; former anti-communist activist. Graduated from the Mining Department at the Silesian University of Technology (1974) where he defended his doctoral thesis in 1985. He specializes in solid commodities processing, mining, environment protection and mine restructuring.

‘You are not alone” TVN Foundation was established in May 2001 by Poland’s top commercial TV station TVN and its parent company ITI. Its primary objective is helping those living in poverty and sickness.
The TVN Foundation chaired by Bożena Walter supports numerous initiatives in health care, improving the quality of life and education.

The Foundation for the Development of Polish Pharmacy and Medicine was set up in 2001 by Polpharma, a leading pharmaceutical company. The Foundation’s mission is to support the development of pharmaceutical and medical sciences through financing research in these fields.

Małgorzata Walewska – a world-famous opera diva (mezzo-soprano); she graduated from the Warsaw Music Academy. She has been working with the Grand Theatre in Warsaw since 1991.

Apart from the Pearls of the Polish Economy, the results of the Honorary Pearls competition were also announced. They are awarded to prominent Poles who might be referred to as the ambassadors of Polish values. This year’s Honorary Pearls were awarded in the following categories: economy – Professor Janusz Steinhoff; science – geneticist and oncologist Professor Jan Lubiński; culture – opera singer Małgorzata Walewska; promotion of Polish tradition and patriotic values – British historian Professor Norman Davies; and in the category of promoting social values – TVN & Bożena Walter Foundation ‘You are not alone’ and the Foundation for Supporting the Development of Polish Pharmacy and Medicine set up by Włodzimierz Kuźmierkiewicz.