Civic local government
Moderators:
Dariusz Kraszewski, Stefan Batory Foundation,
Łukasz Prykowski, City of Lodz Office
Time: 2. Day (Friday, May 29.), hrs 12:45-14:15
Location: II floor, zone J
Format: discussion session
The session will be dedicated to a discussion about changes in Polish law that would lead to strengthening the possibility of citizens’ involvement in decision-making processes and the position of district councils with regards to their relations with village administrators, mayors and presidents.
Right now district councils in Poland have limited power over actual governing local communities. Also the impact citizens have on decision-making processes needs improvement. Since 2002 village administrators, mayors and presidents have been elected directly which has given them more power. The role of councilmembers has significantly been limited; in many places they hold meaningless functions. Their objectives, however, should aim at speaking for all the citizens (not only for those who voted for them) and controlling the actions of the executive bodies for the common good.
It is time we have opted for a broader and direct inclusion of citizens in deciding the fate of their districts and wielding power.
During this session we will cover suggestions for changes leading to strengthening positions of district councils and citizens, prepared by the Stefan Batory Foundation in cooperation with other institutions and we shall work on recommendations for them.