# Wojciech Sawicki > Polish politician **Wikidata**: [Q3569591](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3569591) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wojciech_Sawicki) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/wojciech-sawicki ## Summary Wojciech Sawicki is a Polish politician and programmer who served as the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) from 2016 to 2021. He is recognized for his long-standing career in international diplomacy and his early involvement in Polish civil society and human rights advocacy. ## Biography - Born: March 20, 1955, in Warsaw, Poland - Nationality: Polish - Education: Computer Science, University of Warsaw (1973–1978) - Known for: Serving as Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe - Employer(s): Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe - Field(s): Politics, Computer Science, International Relations ## Contributions Wojciech Sawicki’s primary contributions lie in the administration and leadership of international parliamentary institutions. He served as the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) for a five-year term beginning February 1, 2016, and concluding February 28, 2021. In this role, he was responsible for the management of the Assembly's operations, supporting its mission to protect human rights, democracy, and the rule of law across its member states. Before his international service, Sawicki was deeply involved in Polish social and religious organizations. He was a member of the Klub Inteligencji Katolickiej (Club of Catholic Intelligentsia) and the Prymasowski Komitet Pomocy Osobom Pozbawionym Wolności i ich Rodzinom (Primate's Committee for Help to People Deprived of Liberty and Their Families). The latter was particularly significant for its work in supporting political prisoners and their families during a transformative period in Polish history. Additionally, Sawicki holds a technical background as a programmer and software engineer, having completed his computer science degree at the University of Warsaw in 1978. ## FAQs ### Q: What was Wojciech Sawicki's role in the Council of Europe? A: Wojciech Sawicki served as the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) from 2016 to 2021. He managed the administrative functions of the Assembly and facilitated its political activities. ### Q: What is Wojciech Sawicki’s educational background? A: He studied computer science at the University of Warsaw from 1973 to 1978. He is professionally classified as both a programmer and a software engineer. ### Q: What awards has Wojciech Sawicki received? A: He was awarded the Commander of the Order of Polonia Restituta in 2011 and the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, 3rd class, in 2022. ## Why They Matter Wojciech Sawicki is a significant figure in European diplomacy, representing the intersection of technical expertise and high-level political administration. His leadership at PACE occurred during a period of complex geopolitical challenges in Europe, where he played a vital role in maintaining the structural integrity of the Assembly’s democratic processes. His career is also a testament to the role of civil society in political transition. By participating in organizations like the Primate's Committee for Help to People Deprived of Liberty, Sawicki contributed to the protection of human rights in Poland before transitioning to international governance. His recognition by both the Polish and Ukrainian governments through high-ranking state orders underscores his lasting impact on regional stability and international cooperation. ## Notable For * **Secretary General of PACE:** Served as the head of the Secretariat of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (2016–2021). * **Commander of the Order of Polonia Restituta:** Received this high-ranking Polish state honor in 2011. * **Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise:** Awarded the 3rd class of this Ukrainian order in 2022 for his international contributions. * **Human Rights Advocacy:** Member of the Primate's Committee for Help to People Deprived of Liberty and Their Families. ## Body ### Early Life and Education Wojciech Sawicki was born on March 20, 1955, in Warsaw, Poland, to Feliks Sawicki. He attended the University of Warsaw, the nation's largest university, from 1973 to 1978. He graduated with a degree in computer science, establishing a professional foundation as a programmer and software engineer. ### Career in International Diplomacy Sawicki’s most prominent professional tenure was with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). He held the position of Secretary General from February 1, 2016, until February 28, 2021. During this time, he oversaw the administrative support for the Assembly’s 324 members and coordinated the implementation of its various resolutions and human rights monitoring activities. ### Civil Society and Religious Affiliations Throughout his life, Sawicki has been an active member of several influential Polish organizations: * **Klub Inteligencji Katolickiej (KIK):** A prominent association of Catholic laypeople in Poland. * **Prymasowski Komitet Pomocy Osobom Pozbawionym Wolności i ich Rodzinom:** An organization dedicated to assisting those imprisoned and their families, particularly active during the era of the Polish People's Republic. ### Honors and Recognition Sawicki has been recognized with several prestigious awards for his public service: * **Commander of the Order of Polonia Restituta:** Conferred on November 9, 2011. * **Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, 3rd class:** Conferred by Ukraine on November 4, 2022, in recognition of his international standing and support. ## References 1. pace.coe.int 2. [Source](https://www.president.gov.ua/documents/7522022-44797) 3. Sejm-Wielki.pl 4. [OpenSanctions](https://www.opensanctions.org/entities/Q3569591)