Edward Nowak

Edward Edmund Nowak (born 16 November 1950 in Kraków) is a Polish engineer, opposition activist in the Polish People's Republic, administrator, state official and politician.

He has been a member of NSZZ “Solidarność” since 1980. He took part in the strikes at the Lenin Steelworks. He was arrested following the imposition of martial law in Poland and sentenced by a military court to three years and six months’ imprisonment. He was released under an amnesty in 1983. He was subsequently placed under surveillance by Security Service officers and was detained and interrogated on numerous occasions.

He served as a member of the Sejm for the 10th term. Deputy Mayor of Kraków from 1990 to 1991; in from 1992 to 1993 and from 1993 to 1995; Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of the Economy from 2000 to 2001. He was instrumental in reviving the ; he served as its president from 1989 to 1994. Biography Polish People's Republic In 1979, he graduated in electrical power engineering from the at the AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków.

Between 1969 and 1985, he was employed at the Lenin Steelworks. Between 1971 and 1981, he was a member of the Polish United Workers' Party.

In 1989, he co-founded the Kraków Foundation for Social Communication and became a member of the Kraków Industrial Society. In the same year, he initiated the reactivation of the . He served as its president from 1989 to 1994. criticising the Law and Justice government.

He was the initiator of the Solidarity Network Association, which promotes the ideals of ‘Solidarity’ and supports anti-communist opposition activists facing difficult life circumstances . In 2021, the Court of Appeal in Kraków awarded Edward Nowak compensation and damages for repression suffered during the communist era, totalling 442,000 zł. Awards and honours Officer's Cross of Polonia Restituta (for outstanding contributions to the cause of democratic change in Poland, and for achievements in his professional and community work, 2006) Knight's Cross of Polonia Restituta (2000) Cross of Freedom and Solidarity (2016) Bronze Cross of Merit (1978) (2011)