On 11 December 2025, the Faculty of Economics and Finance of the University of Rzeszów hosted an open lecture entitled “Public Finance in Turbulent Conditions”, delivered by Dr hab. Sebastian Skuza, Professor at the University of Warsaw. The event was organized at the invitation of the authorities of the Faculty of Economics and Finance UR (Dr hab. Bogdan Wierzbiński, Prof. UR – Dean of the Faculty; Prof. UR Dr hab. Ryszard Kata – Vice-Dean for Research; Dr hab. Mariola Grzebyk, Prof. UR – Vice-Dean for Education and Development; Dr Małgorzata Wosiek – Vice-Dean for Student Affairs). Special thanks were extended to the Vice-Rector for Finance and Development, Dr hab. Józef Cebulski, Prof. UR, for inspiring the idea of organizing the lecture.

During the lecture, Professor Sebastian Skuza presented the most important challenges currently facing the public finance system, resulting, among others, from the geopolitical and economic environment as well as changes in financial markets. He drew attention to the impact of global economic turbulence, the growing indebtedness of the public finance sector and the costs of servicing this debt, as well as the need to ensure the state’s financial security in conditions of increased defence spending.

In his presentation, Professor Sebastian Skuza emphasized the importance of a responsible fiscal policy, effective risk management, and transparency in decision-making processes within public administration. The speaker also shared a broad and practical perspective stemming from many years of experience in government administration, the banking sector, and institutions responsible for financial security. He referred to examples of strategic decisions taken during periods of market pressure, while at the same time highlighting the importance of cooperation between ministries, supervisory institutions, and market participants.

He also underlined the growing importance of analytical and regulatory competences in the field of public finance, as well as the need for continuous adaptation of financial policy instruments to new challenges, such as the changing geopolitical environment

Profile of the Speaker

Dr hab. Sebastian Skuza, Professor at the University of Warsaw, is an economist and lawyer specializing in public finance, financial markets, and regulatory supervision. From 1999 to 2012, he worked at the Ministry of Finance, ultimately becoming Deputy Director of the Financial Market Development Department. He has served on the supervisory boards of key financial institutions, including the Warsaw Stock Exchange and Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego. He also held positions as Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education (2017–2020) and Secretary of State at the Ministry of Finance (2020–2023). From 2023 to 2025, he served as Deputy Chairman of the Polish Financial Supervision Authority, responsible for capital market supervision.

He is the author or co-author of approximately 160 publications in the field of public finance and financial stability, supervisor of more than 500 bachelor’s and master’s theses and four doctoral dissertations, and an active academic lecturer at the University of Warsaw.