Transparency as a principle of activity of public authorities

Abstract

One of the characteristics of public authority in a democratic state is the transparency of its organisation and exercise. Transparency concerning public authorities and local self-government bodies implies accountability to the people, involvement of civil society institutions in the exercise of public authority and local self-government; efficiency of the State’s functions, focus of public authorities on implementation of the interests of the majority of the people, minimisation of corruption in the State and local apparatus. Information technologies are a method of optimising public administration, replacing traditional institutions and mechanisms with new ones. Ukraine is implementing a programme of decentralisation and public administration reform. This process is part of a set of measures aimed at ensuring territorial integrity and sovereignty, accession to the European Union, and the development of civil society, where the implementation of the principle of transparency is one of the means to achieve these goals. This requires the creation of a system of legal regulation of transparency in public administration that meets European standards and is aimed at increasing the efficiency of public administration, improving relations between the centre and communities, enhancing the socio-economic efficiency of local self-government, improving the quality of life, and fighting corruption. In this aspect, the implementation of the principle of transparency of public authorities should be reflected in legal regulation and include ensuring transparency and accountability of the authorities; creation of a legitimate and effective legal system that reflects the real needs of economic entities and allows resolving possible conflicts of interest; creation and use of an effective law enforcement mechanism that will serve open access to information; transition to a system of government not associated with a specific person performing public functions.