The President
Aleksander Kwasniewski, second term, sworn into office on 23rd December 2000. The president is elected in a general election; the term lasts for 5 years from the date the President is sworn into office.

The Parliament
The parliament consists of Sejm and Senate of the Republic of Poland. The term lasts for 4 years. Sejm consists of 460 deputies, elected in national election. Senate consists of 100 senators, elected in national election.

Government
Prime Minister - Leszek Miller, appointed on 19th October 2001.

Territory
Poland is the 9th biggest country in Europe, and 63rd in the world.
- total area of the country - 312,685 km² (120,727 sqm),
- territorial sea - 8,7 thousands km²

Climate
Poland is situated in the zone of continental and moderate climate. Spring in Poland is warm and sunny. Average temperature in May during the day is about 18°C. As rainy days may occur, take an umbrella and a raincoat along with you.

Electrical appliances
The electric current in Poland is 220 V, 50 Hz. Plugs are two-pin continental size.

Money
The Polish currency is Polish Zloty (PLN), divided into 100 groshes (grosz).
1 Euro = 4 PLN
The currency consists of notes of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 zloty and coins of 1, 2, 5 zl and 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 groszy.
You can exchange foreign currency in exchange offices, banks and in hotels. Traveler’s checks can be exchanged in banks. Banks are open from 9:00 to 17:00 on weekdays. There are numerous automatic cash dispensers in the city center. Credit cards like Visa, MasterCard/EuroCard, Maestro, American Express, Diners Club) are widely accepted in shops, restaurants and hotels.

Post Offices
Post offices are open from 9:00 to 19:00 on weekdays. 24h post office, open also on weekends is located on Dworzec Zachodni of the railway station.
Stamped post cards and letters can be dropped to red mailboxes for collection. Stamps are available at post offices.

Shopping
Shops in the city center are open from 11:00–18:00 on weekdays and from 10:00-14:00 on Saturdays. Large shopping centers are located in the outskirts and are open from 9:00–21:00 on weekdays and from 9:00–18:00 on weekends.

Time
Time is Poland is the same as European continental time (GMT+1), in summer GMT+2.

Basic phrases in Polish
YES = TAK (tahk)
NO = NIE (nyeh)
PLEASE = PROSZE (prosheh)
THANK YOU = DZIEKUJE (dzhenykooyeh)
GOOD MORNING = DZIEN DOBRY (dzhehny dobri)
GOOD AFTERNOON = DZIEN DOBRY (dzhehny dobri)
GOOD NIGHT = DOBRANOC (dobrahnots)
GOOD-BYE = DO WIDZENIA (do veedzehnyah)
HI! = CZESC (chyeshich)
WHAT IS YOUR NAME? = JAK SIE PAN[I] NAZYWA? (yahk syeh pahn[yee] nahzivah)
MY NAME IS... = NAZYWAM SIE... (nahzivahm syeh)
HOW ARE YOU? = JAK SIE PAN[I] MIEWA? (yahk syeh pahn[yee] myehvah)
VERY WELL, THANKS. AND YOU? = BARDZO DOBRZE, DZIEKUJE. A PAN[I]? (bahrdzo dobzheh, dzhenykooyeh. a pahn[yee])
I UNDERSTAND. = ROZUMIEM. (rozoomyehm)
I DON'T UNDERSTAND. = NIE ROZUMIEM. (nyeh rozoomyehm)
DO YOU SPEAK ENGLISH? = CZY MÓWI PAN[I] PO ANGIELSKU? (chi moovee pahn[yee] po ahngyehlskoo)
I DON'T SPEAK (MUCH) POLISH. = NIE MOWIE (ZBYT DOBRZE) PO POLSKU. (nyeh mooveh (zhbit dobzheh) po polskoo)

Local transportation
City trams and buses run on a regular schedule. The fare is calculated on a time increment basis (10 min, 30 min, 60 min, 90 min). Transfers, e.g., from a bus to a tram, with a valid ticket are allowed. Tickets are best purchased at newsstands. Modern city buses ensure convenient connections with every point in town.

Taxi
Taxis are available either on taxi stops or by calling the radio taxi. The most reasonable prices are offered by radio taxi companies. Prices in the cabs parked in front of the airport and railway station are a few times higher than those offered by radio taxi companies. In the tourist office located at the Congress venue one can call the taxi for free.

Congress venue
XXII CEMR General Assembly will be held on the International Fair Ground in the pavilions no. 5 and no. 23. Those buildings are adapted for handicapped people needs. Congress venue is located in the city center close to the railway station, between Roosevelta and Bukowska Street. Equipment for simultaneous translation will be available at the Congress venue. If you have any further questions concerning Congress venue, please do not hesitate to address your question to the Congress Office.
Services at the Congress venue: The following services are available at the venue: tourist information, Congress office, kiosk, first aid, tourist office, PLL LOT SA help desk, exchange office, ATM, post office, internet cafe, stand with souvenirs.

Travel arrangements
The preferred carrier of the Congress is PLL LOT SA. Flight from Warsaw to Poznan lasts about 50 minutes. Congress participants showing the proof of payment of registration fee are allowed to obtain the discount from the fare of 15% in economy class and 20% in business class. There are also direct flights to Poznan from Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Copenhagen and Vienna. Information about flights and discounts are available in PLL LOT SA offices and PBP ORBIS SA travel agencies.
Poznan-Lawica airport is located about 7 km from the city center. Taxis are available for about 30 zl. An airport shuttle bus to the hotels has been organized for the delegates and accompanying persons on the 13th and 14th May 2003. The same shuttle will be provided on 18th May 2003. This service is included in the registration fee on these dates only.
Train is another way of getting to Poznan. Trip either from Berlin or from Warsaw by Eurocity train takes about 3 hours.

A shuttle bus to and from the Congress venue is available from the Congress hotels every morning and afternoon during the Congress. Detailed transportation schedule will be presented later in the Final Program brochure.

Languages
The official languages of the General Assembly are: Polish, English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and Greek (in cooperation with Greek delegation). Full simultaneous translation will be available in these languages for the following programs: Opening Ceremony, Political Debate, Special Sessions, Workshops and Closing Ceremony.
All other programs will be primarily in Polish, English, French and German.

Lunch
Lunch during the Congress on 15th and 16th May 2003 is included in the registration fee. Accompanying persons’ lunches are served as a part of the accompanying persons’ program and are thus included in the registration fee.

Name tags
For the security reason, admission to the Congress premises, for lunch, coffee breaks and study tours only for those wearing the official Congress name tags.

Insurance
Neither the Congress Organizing Committee nor the Congress Secretariat accept any liability or responsibility for illness or injury to persons, or for the loss of or damage to property, or for any financial loss of any person attending the Congress. Delegates and accompanying persons should make their own arrangements with respect to health and travel insurance.

Cultural program
Details of cultural program is presented in the brochure "What to see in Poznan during the 22nd General Assembly of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions" Any additional information concerning cultural and tourist program will be available during Congress at the tourist information stand.