Code of conduct

Below is the latest version of ABC Children's Aid's Code of Ethics.

This Code of Conduct has been approved by the Board of Directors of ABC Children's Aid for the purpose of encouraging and assisting ABC staff and volunteers to carry out their work in a quality and effective manner. The CEO of ABC is responsible for ensuring that the Code of Conduct is visible in the workplace and is introduced to new employees and volunteers.

ABC Children's Aid is based on Christian values, with the commandments of love in mind, that we should love our neighbor as ourselves and bear one another's burdens, so that we show in action that God is the father of the fatherless and that he extends a helping hand to those who are needy and suffering.

1. Workplace Responsibility

1. ABC staff, volunteers and board members shall perform their duties diligently and in accordance with the code of ethics and work procedures of the profession.
2. ABC staff, volunteers and the board shall make every effort to ensure that ABC fulfills its mission and that the reputation of the relief work is not damaged.
3. ABC staff, volunteers or board members shall never endanger clients, supporters, other staff or volunteers through their actions or words and shall at all times behave in accordance with the Code of Ethics for the profession.
4. ABC Children's Aid is an aid organization independent of the political views of the countries in which it operates. Neutrality must therefore prevail when it comes to different political factions, and employees, volunteers and board members of the organization must not participate in the politics of the countries in question while operating under the ABC banner.
5. Respect shall be the guiding principle in interactions between ABC staff, volunteers and the board. Sexual harassment and bullying are not tolerated and people shall not be discriminated against on the basis of gender, race, colour, sex, language, disability, age, religion, political or other opinion, nationality, origin, property, ancestry or other factors.
6. ABC staff, volunteers and board members shall handle funds and other valuables entrusted to them or at their disposal in connection with their work properly and shall not use them for their own personal gain.

2. Responsibility to the sponsor

1. ABC staff and volunteers shall provide good service to supporters and conduct their interactions with them conscientiously and with respect.
2. The utmost confidentiality and anonymity shall be maintained with supporters, unless otherwise agreed. Staff who have access to confidential information of supporters shall exercise the utmost caution wherever and whenever issues of supporters are discussed and shall handle documents containing confidential information with caution.
3. Employees shall not use confidential information of sponsors for their own benefit or for their own personal interests.
4. ABC staff and volunteers shall not discriminate against supporters on the basis of gender, race, color, sex, language, disability, age, religion, political or other opinion, nationality, origin, property, ancestry or any other factor.
5. No special facilities shall be granted on the basis of personal connections.

3. Responsibility towards partners in the field and recipients of support

1. Rules for assistance should be clear and assistance should be provided on the basis of need as defined in an agreement between the collection office and the field office.
2. The utmost objectivity must be observed when distributing funds.
3. No special privileges shall be granted on the basis of personal relationships or for emotional reasons.
4. The handling and publication of personal information and images of ABC clients shall be in accordance with the work's procedures.
5. ABC operates in the spirit of the Christian faith and respects the faith, culture and customs of its beneficiaries. However, no religious or cultural practices will be considered above fundamental human rights and the rights of children as defined in the United Nations Convention on Human Rights and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

4. Responsibility and transparency in the handling of funds

1. ABC staff and volunteers shall not obtain funding through illegal or fraudulent means and shall comply with all fundraising procedures.
2. ABC staff and volunteers shall not accept grants if there is the slightest suspicion that the money was obtained illegally.
3. ABC Children's Aid shall strive to be transparent in its work. It shall strive for supporters to know how their funds are spent. Likewise, employees shall not provide false or misleading information.
4. ABC staff shall strive to keep operating costs to a minimum.
5. All transactions of funds shall be recorded in an appropriate manner and all accounting shall be subject to internal and external control. All ABC records shall be available for review at all times.
6. If there is a suspicion that the basic rules for handling funds have been violated in a way that directly or indirectly affects the work of ABC, this must be reported to the CEO of ABC and the ABC Board, which is responsible for investigating the matter.

5. Responsibility to the public and the media

1. In dealing with the media, news agencies and the public, the first and foremost thing to do is to ensure that the information is accurate. The credibility and transparency of ABC is the key to strengthening and strengthening the reputation of the profession and its image to the outside world.
2. When ABC staff, volunteers and board members appear under the ABC banner, they should not comment publicly on the politics of the countries in which ABC operates.
3. ABC staff, volunteers and board members ensure that information about the organization and its related projects is accurate and as accurate as possible. It does not make claims beyond its knowledge at any given time, but acknowledges when its knowledge is limited and refers inquiries to the appropriate party.

6. Responsibility towards other aid organizations

1. Honesty, respect and confidentiality must be maintained in relations with other aid organizations, and care must be taken to ensure that common goals are the guiding principle in fundraising and promotion.

Approved by the board of ABC Children's Aid on 20.10.2020