|
|
Preamble
This Code constitutes reinforcement of good practice, openness, accountability and transparency of the JHEF. It is the policy of the JHEF and expresses its fundamental values. This Code guides the conduct of governing and executive bodies, and is intended to foster an environment that promotes ethical conduct in carrying out their responsibilities.
The Jan Hus Educational Foundation is a non-political, non-denominational, educational and cultural institution, which believes that in each healthy civil society a high quality education is the foundation for the principles of democracy, solidarity and responsibility.
The Jan Hus Educational Foundation came into being as a response by independent, free-thinking Czech and Slovak democrats to the criminal regime of one of the most oppressive systems in human history. That is why the promotion of pluralism and equal opportunity, and the end to discrimination based on conscience, political conviction, religion, class, nationality, race or sex was the mission of our organisation in the 1980's and remains at the heart of all our work now. We have always been alert to the issues of pluralism and equal opportunity, not only in our organisation but also in the many co-operating organisations we have worked with over the years. The principles of diversity and equal opportunity are embodied in our organisational by-laws and conditions of recruitment and employment. They apply equally to our governance and management.
The JHEF places the highest priority on fulfilling its role in helping to build an open civil society by providing resources and undertaking operational projects.
Governance
- The trustees of the JHEF have a general duty to act in the best interest of the Foundation as a whole. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, their friends or the organisation they come from or represent.
- The trustees have a duty to comply with the law on all occasions in accordance with the trust placed in them and in such a way as to preserve public confidence in JHEF.
- The trustees are open and accountable for their decisions and actions to the public, sponsors and (service users) grantees.
- In carrying out their role the trustees should ensure that decisions are made solely on merit.
- The trustees have a duty to declare any interest relating to their role as trustee and to make steps to resolve any conflicts of interest that may arise. Where the private interests of a trustee conflicts with their duties as a trustee, he/she must resolve this conflict in favour of their role as trustee.
Management
- JHEF recruits staff openly, evaluates their work fairly in accordance with the law, regulations and moral principles of democratic society and encourages their career development.
- JHEF acts with respect to the legal and human rights of the individual.
- JHEF acts transparently with regard to activities supported and the related results.
- JHEF is committed to promote efficient organisation and work while ensuring prudent and sustainable management, investment strategies and procedures, and use of resources.
- The JHEF`s financial management is conducted in a responsible, open and transparent manner, consistent with the legal requirements and, further, observes transparency with respect to income, expenditures and assets.
- No more will be spent on administration and fundraising than is required to ensure effective management and resource development.
- JHEF ensures appropriate internal control of resources and carries out internal monitoring and evaluation of its work and programs.
- JHEF acknowledges three levels of accountability: holding to account, giving account and taking account.
Donors
- We will inform openly our donors about:
- the JHEF`s mission, the way we intend to use donated resources, and our capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes
- the identity of those serving on the JHEF`s governing board and executive bodies
- Fundraising solicitations on behalf of JHEF will:
- be truthful
- accurately describe the JHEF`s activities and intended use of donated funds
- respect the dignity and privacy of those who benefit from the JHEF`s activities
- Employees who solicit or receive funds on behalf of the JHEF shall:
- act with fairness, integrity, and in accordance with all applicable laws
- disclose immediately to the JHEF any actual or apparent conflict of interest
- not accept donations for purposes that are inconsistent with JHEF`s mission.
- All donations will be used to support the JHEF`s objectives.
- All designated donations will be used for the purposes for which they are given. If necessary due to program or organisational changes, alternative uses will be discussed where possible with the donor.
- Information about the donation will be handled with respect taking into account the requirements of sponsors and donors on the assumption that the rules are kept.
Grantees
- Access to funding
- funding opportunities are appropriately advertised
- the applicant is competent to know what the Foundation will and will not support; key conditions of funding; exclusions; timetable of the grant making process, the likely scale of competition for funds; any upper or lower limits of grant size; how to apply for a grant; how the applicant will be handled;
- application forms and accompanying instructions will be clear and user-friendly and any additional documentation required will be specified
- the programme coordinators are available for consultations
- Decision-making
- we have clear and transparent internal procedures for making grant decisions
- we have arrangements to avoid any improper conflict of interest arising for those involved in decision-making
- decisions are based on a thorough understanding of the project, if necessary appropriate expertise is sought by the JHEF
- applicants are notified of decisions as soon as possible, at the latest in two weeks after the trustees meeting, where the decision was made
- Information about the applicant and the project will be handled with respect, all information which is not publicly available is confidential and will not be disclosed inappropriately.
THE PUBLIC
- The JHEF is aware of its main aim - to serve, without discrimination, the democratic society: its citizens and organisations. The attitude of the Foundation to a third party is always impartial and non-party. Support of political parties is excluded.
- The information on the activities and financial management should be straightforward and transparent. The documents of the JHEF of a public nature, are the following: the structure of the Board of Trustees, controlling and executive bodies, a statute, mission and aims of the Foundation, rules of the grant-making process, annual reports, financial reports and auditor's reports. Each of the above mentioned documents of the Foundation can be furnished upon request.
- One important ethical principle is to serve the interests of the public. All the activities of the Board of Trustees as well as those of the members of the JHEF Secretariat are subjected to this principle. The Foundation appreciates public interest in its affairs and is open to proposals and suggestions of the public to improve its services. Members of both the executive bodies and the Board of Trustees are obliged to devote their attention to the suggestions of the public and provide them with an adequate and immediate answers.
- Conclusion
This Code of Ethics is examined, updated, and restated annually through a joint effort of the board of trustees and staff, and is approved and signed by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the annual trustees meeting.
Bratislava, Brno November 2000
Prepared by: JanaMalovičová, Miroslav Pospíšil
|
|