The principles underlying Poland's administrative reform reflect the coore values shared by the nation states of the European continent. These values continue to define the practices of international co-operation in Euro-Atlantic community of states. These are also the principles that the European Union considers necessary for the development of its Member States.
 
 
CIVIL SOCIETY
 
      The new State is expected to coonstitute the common good of its citizens and has been designed to serve them. The state will suport citizen activities that enrich the public interest and will consider the expression of this interest as its highest goal. This is why the essence of the reform lies in introducing new levels of civil authority, all the more necessary in light of their 50-year absence during communist rule. These new levels of government bring people closer to, and make thern more responsible for, the conduct and develompment of their communities.
 
      The self-governing poviat, together with the existing self-governing gmina, allows citizens to shape and control the local public institutions and policies that are closest to their daily lives.
 
      The delegation of even more-substantial authority to local communities also makes it possible for non-governmental organisations to play a greater role in the realisation of public services and in the enrichment of civil society. Local governments are able to entrust public functions to non-profit organisations and, where appropriate, private enterpreneurs.
 
      An important element in the construction of civil society is the introducion, for the first time in Poland's history, of politicaly elected bodies at the regional level. Members of regional governments (voivodship Sejmiks) constituted through popular elections are responsible for creating and implementing reegional development strategies that reflect the shared goals of the regional (voivodship) community. All social partners are to be involved in the elaboration of such strategies, including poviad and gmina authorities as well as non-governmental organisations.
 
 
SUBSIDIARITY
 
      The principle of subsidiarity constitutes one of the foundations of te European Union. It also forms the basis of the restructured Polish state.
 
      In legislative and governmental perspective and practice, the principle of subsidiarity entails decentralisation and deconcentration.
 
      Through decentralisation many of the responsibilities of the national state are assigned to local and regional communities. This new assignment of responsibilities removes the national government from the day-to-day operation of broad areas of public administration and development. Local and regional governments are not subordinated to the cenntral government and operate freely and independently, subject only to the state's legal review. Democratically elected representatives at the gmina, poviat and voivodship levels are fully responsible for the functions that have been transferred to them.
 
      Through decentralisation, the national government also places other responsibilities in the hands of its territorial representatives at the voivodship leevel, functions which still belong within the purview of the national state can nonetheless be carried out more effectively by governments closer to the citizenry.
   
EFFECTIVENESS
 
      Poland wants to secure its role inn the European system of co-operation through improving the efficiency of its state structures. Poland's place in the international arena will largely be determinated by the ability of local and regional communities to gainfully employ their talents and successfuly control their developmental opportunities. This will occur due to the reform and the decentralisation of control over public services which are best managed directly by the communitities that they serve. In result, the improvement of public services will ensue. The decentralisation combined with the other social reforms will contribute to an effective delivery of public services to local communities.
 
      By decentralising control over public services, the national government has freed its own hands for the larger task of strategic pollicy, systemic regulation, administrative supervision (and if necessary - intervention) as well as European integration.
 
      By reducing the costs of government and improving the effectiveness of public administration, the Polish state has become a more reliable international partner.
 
 
TRANSPARENCY, OPENNESS AND ACCOUNTABILITY
 
      One of the basic premises of the reform is that the transparency and openness of public decisions must be improved. This means eliminating unclear and comlicated administrative procedures at various levels of government, streamlining administrative structures, radically reforming the system of public finance, and above all, delegating new powers to democratically elected local and regional authorities. These authorities are accountable to their electors who, by this, have a greater say in shaping their day-to-day economic and social existence.
 
 
FLEXIBILITY
 
      The succes of conternporary states depeends on their ability to respond rapidly to changing internal and external conditions. The systernic reforms have been designed to improve significantly the hands of local and regional communities. This ensures the better realisation of diverse public interests, while also allowing Poland to better adjust to a dynamic international environment.