Information on the thesis

The  dissertation  provides  extrapolation  of  modernization  context  on  the
communication  policy  of  local  authorities  towards  the  public  with  regard  to  features  of
partnership  between  Ukraine  and  the  Republic  of  Poland,  which  provides  advocacy
messages on Ukraine’s accession to the EU. Proper quality of public service, transparency
and  openness  of  government,  and  anti-corruption  component  of  collaboration  are
considered as important criteria, proving the value of the selected object for comparison
and implementation of best practices.
The author considers the formation of communicative process in the context of three
models (linear, interactive, and transactional) while taking into account the basic forms of
interaction  with  the  public.  The  first  model  anticipates  means  of  information  and
propaganda, the interactive model modifies the direct flow of information with regard to
the needs of recipient, and transactional model develops the concept of equal dialogue and
maximum interaction. The practical implementation of these principles can be represented
in the form of deliberative democracy that implies broad participation of citizens in the
political process and contributes to increasing their political awareness and competence.
The  author  analyzes  the  basic  European  requirements  of  openness  and
communication dialogue between the government and the public. The European formula
of democracy is based on effective communication and efficient local authorities, verified
by  decentralization  and  subsidiarity,  where  every  citizen  can  participate  in  making
decisions  that  influence  his  functioning  in  the  society.  The  following  legal  acts  are
considered:  the  Interinstitutional  Declaration  on  Democracy,  Transparency  and
Subsidiarity, the Lisbon Strategy, the European Code of Good Administrative Behaviour,
the Information and Communication Strategy, the Action Plan to Improve Communicating Europe by the Commission, Plan D for Democracy, Dialogue and Debate, Code of Good
Practice  for  Civil  Participation,  Communication  Strategy  «Communicating  Europe  in
Partnership», Additional Protocol to the European Charter of Local Self-Government.
It is determined that the main problem of communication activities of all levels of
government  is  the  lack  of  consistency  in  development  of  communication  policy.  The
problem  issues  also  include  lack  of  coordination  in  the  operation  of  public  relations
service  of  local  governments,  the  ineffective  feedback  to  the  audience,  and  lack  of
flexibility and efficiency in the process.
It was found that the problem of openness and transparency of government creates
the central framework of communicative interaction.
The communication policy is interpreted as being based on the interaction between
the authorities and the public and aimed at building trust in the government and support of
reformative  changes  in  the  country.  The  main  subject  of  the  study,  namely  «local
communication policy», is described as a purposeful activity of local authorities regarding
local community which is formed on the principles of transparency and on interaction with
the public about political participation in the local process that is based on dialog.
The author used SWOT-analysis to diagnose opportunities and threats, strengths and
weaknesses  of  public  dialogue  with  the  municipal  authorities  in  Poland  after  EU
accession.  The  positive  sides  include  openness  of  local  authorities  for  cooperation;
transparency and effectiveness of cooperation system; negatives aspects are restriction on
partnership  with  non-governmental  organizations  (NGOs)  for  the  implementation  of
public  services;  inability  to  deep  analysis  of  the  problems  and  needs  of  the  public;
restrictions on funding for the possible subsidizing of NGOs; excessive bureaucracy and
control system; cases of unilateral assistance to NGOs with regard to political orientation.
Key  words:  communication  policy,  local  authorities,  the  public,  access  to  public
information, digital communication, components of reformation of communication policy
of local authorities.