July, 2017 Volume 1, Issue 2 The Public Sector is founded on two closely related concepts, namely ethics and values. In essence, the values provide the moral touchstone upon which ethics are based such that decisions and actions can be judged as acceptable or unacceptable. At its simplest, ethics is a system of moral principles. They affect how people make decisions and lead their lives. Ethics is concerned with what is good for individuals and society and is also described as moral philosophy. Ethics are also rules that translate values into everyday life; determining what is good, bad, wrong or right. Values are important and lasting beliefs or ideals shared by the members of a culture about what is good or bad and desirable or undesirable. Values have a major influence on a person's behavior and attitude and serve as broad guidelines in all situations. Values are in fact qualities which organisations and individuals use to express the attributes associated with their work; the individual principles or qualities that guide judgment and behaviour. Many codes of conduct are developed for public services based on ethics and values. Although there is often significant variation regarding the key terms upon which emphasis is placed, there is general agreement that the statements which follow are an important frame of reference for the public service. A non-political and professional career service subject to a code of rules and disciplinary procedures. Public officers support the government of the day in developing and implementing its policies and in delivering public services. Public officers do not earn profits from their work, but salaries and benefits prescribed by the terms of their employment. Duties, rights and privileges are well-defined and enshrined in laws and regulations. Public officers are required to serve the duly-constituted government of the day of whatever political complexion. Public officers advise on policy but the determination of policy is the responsibility of the Minister. It is the duty of a public officer to give the Minister honest and impartial advice, without fear or favour. Advice provided to Ministers should be the best that public officers can provide at all times. Public officers should not withhold relevant information from their Minister. Public officers have an obligation to keep the confidences to which they become privy in the course of their work. Public officers should not seek to frustrate policies or decisions of the government of the day by the disclosure of information to which they have access as a public officer. SOURCE: Implementation Guide Charter for Caribbean Public Services “We must not act dishonestly for administrative convenience or to conform to political arrangements.” (Cited in Understanding the Code of Conduct: Guide for State Servants – State Services Commission, New Zealand Oct. 2010) Empowering Excellence in the Public Service in Monserrat ………………… Pages 2&3 CARICOM and the Private Sector……………………...……………………………… Pages 4&5 Public Management Reform in Grenada …………………...……………………… Page 6 Public Management Reform in Grenada & Dominica …….………….………… Page 7 CARICAD & CLP — Training in Antigua & Barbuda .……..………………...…… Page 8 CARICAD participates in CDEMA Workshop …………………………………….....Page 9 Leading in a Crisis ……………………………………………………...…………….…… Page 10 Internships at CARICAD ……………………………………………..………………..… Page 11 1
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