The American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) exists to advance the science, processes, and art of public administration. The Society affirms its responsibility to develop the spirit of professionalism within its membership, and to increase public awareness of ethical principles in public service by its example. To this end, we, the members of the Society, commit ourselves to the following principles:
I Serve the Public Interest
Serve the public, beyond serving oneself. ASPA members are committed to:
1. Exercise discretionary authority to promote the public interest.
2. Oppose all forms of discrimination and harassment, and promote
affirmative action.
3. Recognize and support the public's right to know the public's
business.
4. Involve citizens in policy decision-making.
5. Exercise compassion, benevolence, fairness and opti-mism.
6. Respond to the public in ways that are complete, clear, and easy
to understand.
7. Assist citizens in their dealings with government.
8. Be prepared to make decisions that may not be popular.
II Respect the Constitution and the Law
Respect, support, and study government constitutions and laws that define responsibilities of public agencies, employees, and all citizens. ASPA members are committed to:
1. Understand and apply legislation and regulations rele-vant
to their professional role.
2. Work to improve and change laws and policies that are counter-productive
or obsolete.
3. Eliminate unlawful discrimination.
4. Prevent all forms of mismanagement of public funds by establishing
and maintaining strong fiscal and management controls, and by supporting
audits and investiga-tive activities.
5. Respect and protect privileged information.
6. Encourage and facilitate legitimate dissent activities in government
and protect the whistleblowing rights of public employees.
7. Promote constitutional principles of equality, fairness, representativeness,
responsiveness and due process in protecting citizens' rights.
III Demonstrate Personal Integrity
Demonstrate the highest standards in all activities to inspire public confidence and trust in public service. ASPA members are committed to:
1. Maintain truthfulness and honesty and to not compro-mise them
for advancement, honor, or personal gain.
2. Ensure that others receive credit for their work and contributions.
3. Zealously guard against conflict of interest or its appearance:
e.g., nepotism, improper outside employment, misuse of public resources
or the acceptance of gifts.
4. Respect superiors, subordinates, colleagues and the public.
5. Take responsibility for their own errors.
6. Conduct official acts without partisanship.
IV Promote Ethical Organizations
Strengthen organizational capabilities to apply ethics, efficiency and effectiveness in serving the public. ASPA members are committed to:
1. Enhance organizational capacity for open communication, creativity,
and dedication.
2. Subordinate institutional loyalties to the public good.
3. Establish procedures that promote ethical behavior and hold individuals
and organizations accountable for their conduct.
4. Provide organization members with an administrative means for
dissent, assurance of due process and safeguards against reprisal.
5. Promote merit principles that protect against arbitrary and capricious
actions.
6. Promote organizational accountability through appropriate controls
and procedures.
7. Encourage organizations to adopt, distribute, and periodically
review a code of ethics as a living document.
V Strive for Professional Excellence
Strengthen individual capabilities and encourage the professional development of others. ASPA members are committed to:
1. Provide support and encouragement to upgrade competence.
2. Accept as a personal duty the responsibility to keep up to
date on emerging issues and potential problems.
3. Encourage others, throughout their careers, to participate
in professional activities and associations.
4. Allocate time to meet with students and provide a bridge between
classroom studies and the realities of public service.
Enforcement of the Code of Ethics shall be conducted in accordance with Article I, Section 4 of ASPA's Bylaws.
In 1981 the American Society for Public Administration's National
Council adopted a set of moral principles. Three years later in 1984, the
Council approved a Code of Ethics for ASPA members. In 1994 the Code was
revised.
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