Integrity and Ethics Ishwari P. Ghimire NASC

Learning Objectives By the end of the topic participants will be able to: Explain the concept of integrity and ethics; Explain the characteristics of ethical and unethical behaviour; Analyse the consequences of unethical behaviour of civil servants, on the quality of public services;

Learning Objectives Design strategies to promote integrity in public services; Explain integrity building; Adapt knowledge, skills and competency for integrity building.

Content Integrity and Ethics Creating Strategies to Promote Integrity Public or Organizational Integrity Integrity Building Trust and Trustworthiness Factors Affecting Integrity and Ethical Behaviour Foundation: Integrity and Ethics Conclusions Integrity Promoting Framework Ethical vs Unethical behaviour Consequences of Unethical Behaviour

Integrity and Ethics (Society’s values, moral, principles) IG GESI Accountability Responsiveness Integrity and Ethics (Society’s values, moral, principles)

Integrity Integrity is a concept of consistency of actions, values, methods, measures, principles, expectations, and outcomes. Integrity is knowing right things to do and doing the right things. Integrity is not an absolute notion that you either have or totally lack.

Integrity What does integrity mean to the individual civil servant? Commitment to work Competency and ethical character Transparency, trust and trustworthiness

Ethics A set of moral principles and standards of “right” behavior and conduct. Right or wrong, good or bad in actions that affects others.

Integrity and Ethics Government bodies and administrators act in ways that inspire public trust. It entails competency, transparency, honesty, commitment, ethical standards of public service. Ethics refers to well founded standards of right and wrong that prescribe what ought to do, usually in terms of rights, obligations, benefits to society, fairness, or specific virtues. Higher ethical standard and practices is critical in administering work to gain public trust.

Cont… Ethics are more external where as integrity is internal Ethics is not a choice where as where as integrity is a personal choice Ethics can be imposed on individuals but integrity can not be imposed on.,,

Ethics and Integrity Ethics as a manner of avoiding any dilemma Integrity more personal and it is a quality of an individual to be honest and fair. It is personal choice , self motivated towards the action, just because it is the right thing to do. Ethics are more outwardly stated Integrity is something much more individualistic Ethics can be defined as rules and regulations for eg. Counselors ethics, Doctor ethics, Lawyers ethics.

Public or Organisational Integrity (Integrity Action) Public or organisation integrity is that set of characteristics that justify trustworthiness and generate trust among stakeholders.

Trust and Trustworthiness Integrity

Foundation: Integrity and Ethics Socialization and cultural environment Education Thoughts Exposure and learning Law and policies Religion ….? 5 min

Integrity Promoting Framework Values and standards Commitment Communication Continuous and consistent actions

Why an ethical work environment is important Promotes goodwill and respect within and outside the firm Acts as a psychological constraint against unethical, and criminal behavior Acts as a form of internally derived social control Impacts viability and profitability

Ethical and Unethical behaviour ; Video Case Video: No More Business As Usual

Ethical vs unethical behaviour Group work: Video Case Watch the video case and discuss: Your group’s opinion regarding ethical and unethical behaviour in the video? Did you find any ethical behaviour? Why/how? Did you find any unethical behaviour? Why/how? Make notes and be prepared to share findings. Time 15 mins for discussion continued with presentation

Ethical Behaviour Un-ethical Behaviour Honesty Accountability Doing a job well Humility (humble, decency, servitude-placing other peoples need before one's own) Proper conduct Reliability Dedication Character Fairness Lying Cheating / Stealing Does not abide by the rules of morality Bribes / Corruption Deliberate deception Violation of conscience Failure to honor commitments Unlawful conduct Disregard of organisation policy Mis-use of resources Illegal acts

Key Learning Points An ethical behaviour applies to proper conduct. Unethical behaviour is not to abide by the rules of morality. Being ethical means maintaining integrity all the time and take risks for a good cause Ethics is more than compliance with rules, regulations etc. Ethics is subjective and contextual

Consequences of Unethical Behaviour What are the consequences of unethical behaviour of civil servants? Legal consequences Morale decline and negative image Trust deficit towards public institutions Economic and social cost increases Violation of rule of law Corruption increases WPE suffer most

Think about creating strategies to promote integrity

Integrity action plan Organizational context Problem identification Causes of problems Supportive factors Reform initiatives Time factors

Creating Strategies to Promote Integrity Group work: Designing strategy Work in groups Discuss and work to: Design strategies to promote integrity and ethical behaviour amongst civil servants to improve the public services. Prepare notes and be prepared to share the findings.

Key Learning Points Capacity enhancement of public institutions—physical, resource base, human resource, role clarity etc. Compliance to rule of law: strong regulative and legal enforcement mechanisms, Promotion of ethical culture: norms, values and standards are set, Development of good personal behaviour— attitudinal (intention) change

Key Learning Points Promoting transparency, Reward and punishment, Protection of whistleblower, Minimizing the role of intermediaries, Effective monitoring and evaluation system Adequate infrastructure

Integrity Building Integrity is about the creation of viable alternatives to corruption and ethical failures. It is not simply an antidote or the opposite.

Case: District Education Officer - Panchthar Work in groups Draw a picture on flip chart to show how he was able to organize.

Integrity Building: 3 Elements Identify and name an integrity problem Knowledge of the legislation, codes, standards, related to the problem Identify the solution

Things We Need! Organisation: Commitment Clear set of values and standards Communication of values and standards Continuous and consistent actions Moreover, Assess your ethical position Acknowledge that “it starts with me!” Build ethical thinking into daily activities Establish a legend; let it be disseminated Be wiling to pay the price

Integrity vs. Ethics Ethics Integrity Following the rules A set of standardized rules for conducting yourself morally The agreed upon standards of what is desirable and undesirable; of right and wrong conduct An external system of rules and laws Doing the right thing, regardless of the rules. A personal code of conduct that goes above the letter of good conduct and encompasses the spirit of good conduct A state or condition of being whole, complete unbroken, unimpaired, sound, in perfect condition An internal system of principles which guides our behavior