Campaign #zaginioneNIEzapomniane: Memory and Faces Restored

The #zaginioneNIEzapomniane social campaign, initiated by the Polish Police and the ITAKA Foundation, aims to draw attention to the fate of children who went missing many years ago. It began on May 12, 2025, and will culminate on International Missing Children's Day, celebrated on May 25. The campaign is under the honorary patronage of the Children's Rights Ombudsman, Monika Horna-Cieślak.

Campaign Objective

The main goal is to remember the children who never returned home and to show solidarity with families who struggle with uncertainty every day. The campaign also aims to encourage sharing information that may help solve missing persons cases.

Statistics

Over the past three years, more than 6,300 children have gone missing in Poland. Although most of them are found, the police database still contains 52 minors whose searches have been ongoing for more than 5 years.

Children's Stories

The campaign recalls the stories of Monika Kobyłka, Ania Jałowiczor, Andżelika Rutkowska, Ewa Wołyńska, and Seweryn Adamczyk. Photos from the time of their disappearance and age progression simulations are published to facilitate identification.

Educational Activities

The campaign includes educational activities informing how to proceed in the event of a child's disappearance, how the Child Alert system works, and how to talk to children about safety. Additionally, on May 25, buildings across Poland will be illuminated in blue, and the European emergency number 116 000 will be displayed on PGE Narodowy and Warsaw Spire.

Call to Action

The organizers encourage everyone to join the campaign by posting photos of the International Missing Children's Day symbols with the hashtag #zaginioneNIEzapomniane. The aim is to jointly raise awareness of the issue and show that missing children are still in our memory.