Polish students’ team from the University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland, secured second place at the World Negotiation Championships held in the Netherlands, the university’s press office announced on Wednesday.
Paweł Urzenitzok and Dominik Zdebik represented the Polish contingent from the University of Silesia, and Aleksander Łabuć from the Warsaw School of Economics. This achievement marked the first time in a decade that a Polish team has ascended to the podium at this prestigious event.
The team advanced to the finals after several elimination rounds, where they negotiated against formidable opponents including Georgetown University and the Eindhoven University of Technology. The final rounds of the championship took place on April 5-6.
66 institutions, including notable names such as Harvard Business School, Columbia Law School, and HEC Paris, participated in the competition. The teams were assessed based on the terms of the contracts they negotiated, the impact of their negotiations on relationships with partners, and expert opinions on their negotiation tactics.
Paweł Urzenitzok expressed his pride in their accomplishment, stating, “The hard work, countless hours of training, and the numerous negotiation books we read really paid off. It was a great honor to bring home the runner-up trophy.”
The championship required participants to tackle complex business scenarios involving tasks such as exporting a Swiss product to new markets and optimizing production costs. In the final round, the Polish team delved into the strategic development stages of AI, discussing necessary regulatory actions and international initiatives aimed at legally standardizing artificial intelligence.
Dominik Zdebik reflected on the broader benefits of their journey, emphasizing the invaluable connections, experiences, and knowledge gained throughout the preparation process. “True victory isn’t just about the moment of triumph on the podium, but also about the plethora of new acquaintances and experiences that enrich us,” he remarked.
The finalists also participated in specialized negotiation technique workshops and a training session led by Gary Noesner, former chief of the FBI’s Crisis Negotiation Unit, which further enhanced their skills.
This year’s competition not only tested their negotiation skills but also provided a platform for cultural and professional exchange, enriching the participants’ perspectives and honing their abilities against some of the world’s best negotiators.