“New forms of governance, citizen expectations of ethical behaviour, and rapid advancements in communication technologies are creating new ethical challenges for local and regional governance,” stated Robert SAUNDERS who presented the draft revised “European Code of Conduct for all persons involved in local and regional governance”, at the Governance Committee Meeting in Covasna County, Romania, on behalf of Congress Rapporteur Manuela BORA (Italy, SOC).
The revised European Code of Conduct takes into account three main factors: an enlarged scope, so that is will now apply to all the people working in the provision of public services, the developments in communication technologies, which have the potential of creating more transparent processes, and the satisfaction of citizens’ expectations as a key factor for trust in public institutions.
It defines several general principles for ethical behaviour: transparency, probity, respect and non-discrimination, merit and impartiality. “We affirm that all actors should assume their public duties with integrity, act in accordance with the law and serve the public interest. They are accountable at all times for their decisions and actions,” underlined M. SAUNDERS.
The text, which was approved by the members of the Governance Committee, also calls on for the implementation of explicit integrity policies which should include educational programmes and trainings. It will submitted for adoption at the 35th Session, in November 2018.
