Ecology of Heritage. Introduction to the Research Problem

In this article the author has tried to propose a new approach to cultural heritage from the perspective of ecological concepts. The author, based on a rich literature and conclusions of her previous research, is trying to understand the phenomenon of heritage anew. In a special way within the text were exposed these aspects of heritage and its environment, which according to the author constitute the uniqueness of this resource for building a sustainable local development.

The purpose of the paper is to discuss the scope and quality of collaborative efforts between national parks and local governments in the area of tourism development. The research procedure is based on the questionnaires received from all 23 national parks in Poland, which welcome a total of about 11 million tourists per year. The largest number of park and local government decisions made concern promotional efforts and the development of tourist infrastructure –  mostly walking trails. Most national parks (61%) do suggest that tourism development conflicts with the mission of national parks. The research results may help better understand the relationship between national parks and local governments and may help evaluate what is expected of government officials.

The Feminization of Non-governmental Organizations. Non-governmental Organizations in Poland Working for Women’s Cause

Study results presented in this article are trying to identify the scale of activity among Polish women in non-governmental organizations, that were recognized as working for women’s cause. In order to accomplish that goal, evaluation of women’s share in non-governmental organization’s management was performed, as well as analysis of statutory objectives, its implementation and areas of gratuitous actions.

This paper discusses a project devoted to the concept of responsibility in the field of research and innovation, which has been initiated by the European Commission in recent years. The key element of this project is performing science with society and for society, which includes wide cooperation with different societal actors, representing researchers, business, civil society and policy makers. An important part of this concept is diversity and gender equality in the research and innovation sector. These issues are also perceived as instruments of shaping correct relationship between science and society. The paper presents the main initiatives under the Responsible Research and Innovation project and selected good practices introduced by research institutions aimed at overcoming gender imbalance in the scientific profession within the European Union.

There is a broad discussion in the literature if self-employment is a solution allowing women to reconcile their work and family life. Nevertheless there is still very little empirical evidence supporting this hypothesis for different countries and institutional frameworks and the results are mixed. One of the reasons may be the lack of sufficient data containing questions on self-employment, entrepreneurship, innovations, firm performance and simultaneously questions fertility intentions and decisions. The article compares properties of several European representative surveys and discusses potential methodological issues.

Prolegomena Study of Strategic Planning of Public Benefit Activities

The concept of public governance requires inter-organizational cooperation. Resolving social problems encounter some restrictions. One of them is the strategic planning of the public interest activities. This area of public activity is not well researched. The author presents the definition of strategic planning of the public interest activities, formulates the research problems and presents the basic assumptions about the research methodology.

Improvement of Human Resources Management in Public Administration Challenge for the Strategy of Socio-economic Development of Warmia and Mazury

Public administration should constantly develop and contribute to improving the processes related to the implementation of public tasks. In this context, a very desirable tool for perfecting local government personnel become regional development strategies. The analysis was subjected Strategy of socio-economic development of Warmia and Mazury 2025, which allows the skilful and appropriate investment in human capital. The study analyzed area is to identify the main activities in the field of human resources management, preferring to improving public administration to utilize this Strategy for socio-economic development of the Warmia and Mazury. The search for aspects related to the proper management of human resources in local government was based on a review of scientific literature showing practical examples and empirical results of previous studies.

Analysis of Local Government Appeal Boards’ Activity in Poland in the Years 2012–2015

Local Government Boards of Appeals are bodies of higher instance as compared to agencies of territorial government units unless the specific acts legislate otherwise. The Boards are a specific guarantor of citizens rights protection and also rights for good administration. The aim of the paper is to analyse the activity of Local Government Boards of Appeals in Poland in the years 2012–2015. The method of descriptive and logical analysis was used in the paper. Annual reports of the activity of every Local Government Board of Appeals in Poland in the years 2012-2015 made up the starting material. In conclusion of performed surveys, the authors stated among others that in the examined period fluctuations of the number of cases coming into the Boards of Appeals were observed and the performed analysis allows to predict in the following years the number of submitted cases at the level of about 200,000. Moreover, in view of great amount of cases examined by Local Government Boards of Appeals in Poland, their financial support as well as employment increase are advisable.

Education in the brics Countries

Financing and creation of education system are considered a public sector’s duty. In the long
term, efficiency in the realization of these tasks influences the condition of the country’s labor
market. Finally, it is one of the factors determining the competitive position of the country.
The author touched upon the problem of the economic growth in the BRIC countries at the
end of the 20th and at the beginning of the 21st century. Identification of the reasons for growth
was an element of a study conducted on a group of 32 experts in the summer 2015. The article
focuses on the influence of education on the countries’ development. The final aim is to analyse
the countries’ involvement in education, changes in the last decades and their impact on development
– mostly on the basis of external evaluation, e.g. reports on the competitive positions
of the economies.
As a result of the analysis, the author deduced that the increase in financing education
is convergent with the higher level of development. Moreover, it was confirmed that the level
of education in a society is an important factor determining the competitive potential of
an economy.