Płońsk – the City of Peace

1. Płońsk – the City of Peace

2. The City of Płońsk • The City of Płońsk is located about 60 km from Warsaw at the crossroadsof 2 important national roads. • Płońsk covers approx. 12 sq. km. • It has 23 thousand inhabitants. • Płońsk is the seat of local authorities and various public institutions. • The City is a local economic centre. • The annual budget of Płońsk amounts to between 50 – 70 milion zlotys.

3. The Mayor of Płońsk • Andrzej Pietrasik – the Mayor • of Płońsk between 1992 to 1998 and from 2002 to the present • Since 2002 r. elected as the Mayor • of Płońsk - three times in direct elections by the inhabitants of the city

4. The City of PłońskA bird’seyeview

5. Selected investments in Płońsk in the years 1992-2013 Construction of the Municipal Sports and Recreation Centre - sports hall and swimming pool Construction of 4 multifunctional sports fields Modernization and expansion of the school and pre-school infrastructure Construction of an ice rink Construction of a network connecting nearly 100% of the residents to the sewage system; modernization of wastewater treatment plant Modernization of the town heating system Construction and repair of roads

6. Selected awards for Płońsk and the Mayor in the years 1992-2013 ‘’Merit for the Polish Association of Former Political Prisoners of Nazi Prisons and Concentration Camp’’ badge. Diploma of Merit for Preservation of Jewish Heritage in Poland, awarded by the State of Israel (1999). ‘’Municipality friendly for education” award (2005). ‘’Płońsk – Cultural Capital of Mazovia” (2006). ‘’European Parliament Award for achievements in the field of ecology” - modernisation of Thermal Power Company (2007). Municipal Management Leader in the category ‘’Social Services and Culture” (2009). The title of ‘’Innovative Community’’ in the competition of National Leaders of Innovation (2009). The title of Eco-municipality awarded in the competition of Eco-Government to Eco-Society (2010). ‘’The Builder of Polish Sport’’ (2012).

7. Płońsk – a city open to the world Cooperation with different societies atvarious levels is an important task carried out by Płońsk: Regional cooperation (active in the Association of Polish Cities) International cooperation (twin cities and activities in the frame of IAPMC)

8. Twin cities of Płońsk Crépy-en-Valois Volgograd Mosciano Sant’Angelo Notaresco Bakhchisaray France Russia ItalyItaly Ukraine Čakovec Ramat – Negev Šalčininkai Antoing Tiszafűred Croatia Israel Lithuania Belgium Hungary

9. Forms of cooperation of Płońsk with twin cities • Youth exchange programmes • Cultural cooperation • Sports cooperation • Meetings of twin cities inhabitants

10. Forms of cooperation of Płońsk with twin cities • Exchange of experience • Study visits • Implementation of joint projects created by different groups of city inhabitants

11. Selectedprojectscarried out in 2013 r. intheframework of foreign cooperaion The praticipants of the International March of the Living in Płońsk The book „Mission Europe” written by kids form 4 european cities: Płońsk, Antoing, Crepy-en-Valois and Zell Mosel

12. Selectedprojectscarried out in 2013 r. intheframework of foreign cooperaion Indoor football tournament for oldboys Exchange of the youth from Płońsk and Volgograd

13. Płońsk – Peace Messenger City

14. Activities of Płońsk within the IAPMC • 1998 – Płońsk receives the title of Peace Messenger City • 2004 – Płońsk becomes a member of the Executive Board of the IAPMC2005 – Organization of the Executive Board meeting of IAPMC in Płońsk in cooperation with Warsaw • 2008 – The Mayor of Płońsk – Andrzej Pietrasik becomes Vice President of the IAPMC; Płońsk • recommends the town of Wieluń for a membership of IAPMC • 2010 – The Mayor of Płońsk – Andrzej Pietrasik gives a speech at the UN in New York as a representative of the IAPMC; participation in the march against proliferation of the nuclear weapons, organized jointly by the NGO’s • 2011 – Płońsk recommends Toruń for a membership of IAPMC • 2012 - Płońsk was a host for International Saloon of Anti-war Cartoon „Kragujevac”; participated in the live streaming event organized on the occasion of the International Day of Peace (Płońsk – • Hiroshima) • 2013 – Organization of the Executive Board meeting in Płońsk (in cooperation with Wieluń and Oświęcim); participation in the International Day of Peace livestreaming (Płońsk – Addis Ababa); Płońsk was also a coordinator for the whole event.

15. Activities of Płońsk within the IAPMC Executive Board, IAPMC in Płońsk - 2005 r.

16. Activities of Płońsk within the IAPMC Executive Board meeting, IAPMC held in Płońsk in May 2013

17. Activities of Płońsk within the IAPMC International Day of Peace in Płońsk – September 21st 2012 and Spetember 20th 2013

18. Płońsk – the City of Peace Płońsk was honoured to receive the United Nations 'Peace Messenger' honour for our achievements in the areas of building tolerance and respect for different cultures. The town continues these activities through cooperation with 10 partner cities from all over the world, together with whom we implement the policy of reconciliation, regardless of administrative borders. On assuming the post of Mayor of Płońsk I have swore to take care of the wealthand well-being of the citizens of the city. Therefore, in addition to the socio-economic development of my city, it is important for me to build a culture of peace, fostering a climate of tolerance and understanding between people of cities around the world. This position is consistent with the fundamental objectives of our organization, which include the popularization of the idea of peaceful coexistence among people of different races and cultures, fostering the spirit of respect for human rights, removal of barriers to relationships around the world, popularization of organizations and initiatives for humanity and democratic life. So I have decided, with the full support of the Town Council of Plonsk, to run forthe President of our Association.

19. Thank you for your attention Andrzej Pietrasik Płońsk, Poland