Code of Conduct Requirements
Ethical communications fall under several Quality Principles in the Code of Conduct. The relevant sections are:
Quality Principle 6. Communication
Quality principle: Development and humanitarian organisations communicate truthfully and ethically.
We collect and use information ethically.
Members’ communications are accurate, respectful, and protect privacy and dignity.
The Verifier for this Compliance Indicator requires Members to have:
An ethical decision-making framework, which must:
- Align with the values of their organisation and this Code.
- Commit the organisation to the use of images and messages in communications in a way that portrays the affected people in a manner that respects their dignity, values, history, religion, language and culture, and is authentic to the context, person and terms of consent given.
- Be consistent with ACFID’s Fundraising Charter (8.1.2).
- Be consistent with the Members’ privacy policy (7.2.2).
Quality Principle 8. Resource Management
Quality principle: Development and humanitarian organisations acquire, manage and report on resources ethically and responsibly.
We source our resources ethically.
Members report their compliance with the ACFID Fundraising Charter annually to their own governing body.
The Verifier for this Compliance Indicator requires that:
Members have a clear ethical decision-making framework in place which aligns with the values of their organisation and the Code and includes:
- A commitment to portraying affected people in a way that respects their dignity, values, history, religion, language and culture.
- A process that integrates a range of key staff in the organisation (e.g. communications, planning, child protection and CEO) in decision-making where appropriate.
- Clear responsibilities for approval for public use of images and messages.
- A process which recognises and balances both donors and affected people but which gives primacy to the primary stakeholders.
Quality Principle 1. Rights, protection and inclusion
Development and humanitarian responses respect and protect human rights and advance inclusion.
Quality Principle 2. Participation, empowerment & local ownership
Development and humanitarian responses enable sustainable change through the empowerment of local actors and systems.
Quality Principle 4. Quality and Effectiveness
Development and humanitarian organisations and responses are informed by evidence, planning, assessment and learning.
4.2.2 Members assess and manage risk in their development and humanitarian initiatives.
Quality Principle 6. Communication
Development and humanitarian organisations communicate truthfully and ethically.
6.1.1 Members’ public materials accurately describe the organisation and its work.
6.2.3 Members are respectful and considerate of the reputation of other ACFID Members.
Quality Principle 7. Governance
Development and humanitarian organisations are governed in an accountable, transparent and responsible way.
7.2.2 Members have organisation-wide requirements for the protection of privacy.
Quality Principle 9. People and culture
Development and humanitarian organisations manage and support their people fairly and effectively.
9.4.1 Members specify the expectation of professional conduct of all staff and volunteers.