Glossary of Code of Conduct and Ethics Terminology

A
Accountability
A requirement to account to a person or entity in a position of authority, for ones actions (or
deliberate inactions) or decisions as a manager, for actions taken in the discharge of duties
or for ones conduct in carrying out the duties.
Attitudes
Attitudes are generally 'inherited' dispositions or ways of regarding or reacting to other
people, groups, things or ideas. However they may become 'ingrained' as internalised
prejudices or opinions about other people both inside and outside our own group, or towards
the external world.

B
Beliefs
A belief is a personal judgement which an individual makes based on reasons or evidence. To
say that we believe something to be true does not mean that we know for certain that it is
true, so we do not give beliefs unconditional assent.

C
Code of Conduct
A systematic collection of norms and standards relating to the conduct of officials which
serves as the basis for the expected discipline of officials in exercising their official functions,
and which also serves as a benchmark against which allegations and evidence of
misconduct are assessed.
Competence
The combination of knowledge and skill that is required by recognised practitioners.
Competence may be informally recognised or specifically defined by a professional body.
Competence to practise may be officially acknowledged and certified, legitimising someone
to set up in practice in the profession in question, with full legal authority.
Compliance
Observance of norms, standards, principles, rules, laws etc.

Confidentiality
For a public official or international civil servant, confidentiality imposes a trust duty not to
disclose information obtained as an official to any third party, whether or not the subject of
the information has specifically asked for the information to be kept confidential. This duty is
of particular importance to those in the consulting professions (such as accounting or public
service), where an individual entrusts personal, private or commercially sensitive
information to the person from whom they seek expert assistance.
Conflict of Interest
Any situation in which an official could exploit their professional capacity in some way for
personal gain. See also perceived conflict of interests.
Consistency
Consistency in behaviour means being reliable and constant in action based on the same
principles of thought or action.
Corruption
Dishonesty, breach of trust. In the work context deliberate practice(s) to gain an improper
advantage (e.g. fraud, bribery, forgery).
Cronyism
Improper preferential treatment of friends and/or colleagues
Prevention and Detection Policy].

[Source: OSCE Fraud

D
Dilemma
A situation in which a difficult or apparently impossible choice has to be made between two
equally attractive or undesirable options. In ethics, a moral dilemma is an apparent or
actually irresolvable clash of competing principles or duties. However, genuine or serious
dilemmas are rare and most situations which present as dilemmas can be reframed as
"problems" for resolution by problem-solving methods.
Discretion
The quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offence or revealing
confidential or purely inside information. A quality also associated with good sense,
prudence and tact. OSCE officials have an unlimited obligation of discretion during and after
service with the Organization. (See: OSCE Code of Conduct, para 9)

Discrimination
Discrimination is any unfair treatment or arbitrary distinction that may be presented in the
forms of an improper use of a position of influence, power or authority by an OSCE official,
on the basis of gender, race, religion or belief, nationality, ethnic or social origin, age, sexual
orientation, marital status, disability or other aspects of personal status. OSCE officials who
do not hold positions of influence, power or authority could also be considered as having
acted in a discriminatory manner towards other colleagues. Discrimination includes actions,
made either directly or indirectly, based on unwarranted distinctions or prejudice which have
the purpose or effect of treating individuals or groups unfairly or unjustly. It may include a
series of events or a one-time incident. (Source: SI 21 OSCE Policy on Professional Working
Environment).
Duties/Obligations
Actions required to fulfil contractual commitments to clients or one's employer, or meet
responsibilities required by specific functions, for example, to exercise due authority as a
parent, leader, manager, etc. Duties usually correlate with the rights or entitlements of
others and may be either moral or legal duties.

E
Effectiveness
A measure of the positive impact of a policy, programme and other inputs in achieving longterm strategic goals.
Efficiency
A measure of competence and productivity with optimal use of resources.
determined by examining operational systems and processes.

May be

Ethics
In general, ethics, from the Greek ethos, means the spirit or customs of a community. It also
refers to a set of principles the formal cooperative endeavour of a moral community to
define its values, the necessary conditions, practical requirements, and protective rules
which will ensure its well-being and the flourishing of its members. 'An Ethic' refers to the
'belief-and-value system' of any moral community or to the formal code of practice of a
corporate body, or profession [Cf: ideology]. Further definitions from Merriam Webster
(http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethic):
1. A discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation;
2. A set of moral principles, a theory or system of moral values;

3. The principles of conduct governing an individual or group

'Ethics' [Applied]
Responsible, appropriate and effective action in situations involving ethical dilemmas and
the ability to provide a clear, coherent and reasoned justification for one's decisions and
actions, with reference to commonly accepted standards.

F
Fairness
Equitable, decent and respectful treatment of persons and matters.
Favouritism
Practice of giving special or preferential treatment to an individual or group, based on
factors other than merit, such as personal relations between the parties in question (e.g
nepotism, national solidarity or gender or ethnic consideration).
Forgery
The act of falsifying a document etc. for a fraudulent purpose.
Fraud
An intentional or deliberate act designed to deprive another of property or money by guile,
deception or other unfair means (Source: OSCE Fraud Prevention and Detection Policy).

G
Gratuity
A gift or reward (usually money) or tip given for a service or benefit received.
Grey Area
A situation or issue (ethical or legal dilemma) where the border between right and wrong is
unclear.

H
Harassment
Harassment is any improper and unwelcome conduct on the part of one or more OSCE
officials or non-OSCE staff that has caused or might reasonably be expected or be perceived
to cause offence or humiliation to another colleague.

Harassment may be present in the form of words, gestures, or other actions that annoy,
alarm, abuse, demean, intimidate, belittle or cause humiliation or embarrassment to another
person, or cause an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment. Harassment may
also be present in the form of mobbing i.e. where an individual may be subjected to such
behaviour by more than one colleague. Harassment could amount to an abuse of authority,
when engaged in by any official or non-OSCE staff who is in a position of influence or power
of the recipient of such actions. It may be deliberate, unsolicited or coercive. Harassment
normally happens over a period of time and therefore implies a series of incidents. However,
depending on its nature, a one-time incident could exceptionally fall within the definition.
(Source: SI 21 OSCE Policy on Professional Working Environment).
Honours and Decorations
An award or gift (e.g. order, medal) in recognition of achievements or services.
Human Rights
Inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or
he is a human being. Human rights are thus conceived as universal (applicable everywhere)
and egalitarian (the same for everyone). These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal
rights, in both national and international law (Source: Wikipedia)

I
Impartiality
Neutrality, objectivity also implies tolerance and restraint in the public expression of
personal views and convictions, particularly religious or political in nature. A quality
associated with the status of an international civil servant. (See: Art 3 of the Code of
Conduct)
Integrity
A virtue or quality that implies sound character or the wholeness of the moral person,
combining consistency, reliability, honesty and fairness (Cf. Latin integer whole,
undivided, uncontaminated).

M
Mediation
A structured, voluntary process facilitated by a neutral third party (mediator) through which
conflicting parties discuss the issue at hand and explore possible options for mutually
satisfactory solutions to a problem in a neutral and confidential environment. (Source: SI 21
OSCE Policy on Professional Working Environment).
Morals/Morality

The terms 'morals and 'morality' generally refer in English to the goodness or badness of a
person's character or to their personal conduct. 'Moral'/'immoral', have thus come to refer to
a person's private standards, values and lifestyle as well. However the terms are not
restricted to the private sphere, for in any family or community, morality tends to be
grounded in more universal cultural, ethnic, religious or ideological beliefs. [Cf: Latin moralis
= Custom or Convention].

N
Nepotism
Use of an official position to obtain employment or a contract for a family member
[spouse/partner, siblings, parents and parents-in-law and childrens spouses or partners].)
(Source: OSCE Fraud Prevention and Detection Policy).
Norm/Normative
A norm is a standard or scale by which we check, compare, or measure things, or assess
people's performance and the consistency of their actions. A norm or standard allows
degrees of comparison to be made, eg: ['bad, 'worse', 'worst'], ['good', 'better', 'best'] on a
continuum where terms like 'good' and 'bad' mark the limits of the scale at either end.
Norms point to a scale of performance indicators by which we make qualitative or
quantitative assessments based on the available evidence. [Cd: Latin: norma = carpenter's
square].

O
Objectivity
Impartiality, non-partisanship, a detached and independent point-of-view in a particular
situation.
Outside Activities and Interests
In the OSCE context management functions and financial interests in businesses, any paid
occupation or employment outside the Organization. These activities require the approval of
the Secretary General or head of mission/institution. (See: OSCE Code of Conduct, para 8)

P
Perceived Conflict of Interests
Any situation in which a third party could reasonably infer that an individual has a conflict of
interests, whether or not they actually do.
Performance Management

Assessment of professional performance against previously negotiated targets and duly

established standards and pre-determined criteria or 'performance indicators'.
'Benchmarking' is a process in which such performance indicators are set, so that you know
what standard is expected of you in your work.
Principle [Moral]
A statement of a basic and universal moral truth, or general moral requirement that serves
as the starting point for moral reasoning. Alternatively it may be a fundamental belief that is
the source of inspiration or direction for moral action, and basis for reasoning about moral
priorities. [Cf: Latin Principium = beginning or starting point from which to proceed].
Privileges and Immunities
Rights and advantages granted to individuals or groups in certain circumstances (e.g.
diplomats, international civil servants).
These may take the form of exemptions or
derogations from local provisions and norms under particular conditions. Privileges and
immunities are granted to OSCE officials by national legislation or through bilateral
agreements in the interests of the Organization for the duration of their assignment with the
Organization and not for personal benefit. They can be waived only by the Secretary
General in consultation with the Chairmanship upon submission of requests by the relevant
(diplomatic) authorities.
Probity
Uprightness, honesty and integrity in dealings with others.
Problem
A dilemma - or difficult matter requiring solution, something hard to understand or to deal
with, an exercise, test or challenge set for us, or 'thrown up' by life or experience. However,
'problems' in principle have 'solutions'. Problems may be difficult, but we make the
assumption that they are solvable. [Cf: Greek: problema from pro-ballo = throw towards].
Professionalism
Demonstration of competency and skill in a subject or task, efficiency, conscientiousness,
credibility.

R
Reputation
Good name, standing, respectability and esteem of a person or organization, associated with
the demonstration of integrity, accountability and overall professionalism.

Respect for Persons

The fundamental moral principle that embodies the demand that we show due regard to the
rights and dignity of other human beings and seek to empower them to achieve their full
human potential to our mutual benefit.
Retaliation
Retaliation is an action taken directly or indirectly against an OSCE official or non-OSCE staff
because he/she made a good faith report of harassment, sexual harassment or
discrimination or co-operated in good faith with an investigation into or a disciplinary
procedure for an allegation of harassment, sexual harassment or discrimination or
participated in good faith in any other investigative or disciplinary proceedings initiated in
accordance with the OSCE Regulations and Rules. (Source: SI 21 OSCE Policy on Professional
Working Environment).
Rights
Justified legal or moral entitlements which may be based on particular agreements [such as
promises, bets, oaths, vows, covenants, laws or contracts] or claimed universal entitlements
of human beings as human beings [such as the rights embodied in the UN Universal
Declaration of Human Rights].
Rights [Negative]
A right to demand that someone desist from doing something to you that harms your
interests, causes you pain, damage or inconvenience. Negative rights do not make any
positive demands on others, simply require that they stop doing something that is causing
you harm.
Rights [Positive]
A right that entitles you to demand that someone else (or more generally society) gives you
some benefit (such as education, welfare, employment) but where the willingness and ability
of the other person/s to give you your entitlements will depend on their generosity and
available resources. Rights usually correlate with duties, my rights may impose duties on
you and your rights impose duties on me as would be the case with contractual agreements.
[Cf: Duties and Obligations].
Rule
A rule is a statement of what can, should or ought, or not, be done. A rule is a prescription
which seeks to regulate or governs what we do. Rules are based on some source of
'legislative' authority, (e.g. parents, employer, government). Rules create a binary universe
of discourse in which only two predicates can be applied to things, actions, or opinions, i.e.,
they must be either 'right' or 'wrong'.

S
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is harassment containing a sexual element. It includes any unwelcome
sexual advance, request for sexual favour, verbal or physical conduct or gesture of a sexual
nature, or any other behaviour of a sexual nature (including displaying pornography; or
making sexually-coloured remarks and/or suggestive comments) that has caused, or that
might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation to another
colleague.
Sexual harassment further includes making a sex-related act or behaviour a condition of
employment or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment. Sexual
harassment may include either a series of incidents or a one-time incident of unambiguously
offensive sexual character. Both male and female OSCE officials can be the targets or
instigators of sexual harassment. (Source: SI 21 OSCE Policy on Professional Working
Environment).
Stakeholders
All those who have an interest (stake) in any enterprise, community or business. In the case
of the OSCE, the stakeholders include staff, participating States, partners, beneficiaries of
programmes and communities.
Statutory duties
Duties prescribed by law regulation, or a rule, or as part of an official's function as
established by law etc.
Subjective
Biased, lacking impartiality. Usually used in a dismissive way to indicate that something is
based on an individual perception, feeling, or intention as opposed to external verifiable
objective standards. Can be having a negative connotation implying bias or lacking
impartiality if decisions or actions are taken adversely affecting others without any objective
standards or not based on any evidence.

T
Trafficking (in human beings)
Trafficking in persons shall mean the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or
receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of
abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of
the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having
control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation shall include, at a

minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation,
forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of
organs. (Source: PC.DEC/557 of 24 July 2003 in the OSCE Action Plan to Combat Trafficking
in Human Beings part II) 1
Transparency
Openness, the quality of being easily understood in communicating and exercising functions
and conduct
Trust
Confidence and belief in the worth, reliability and efficiency of person, organization or object.

V
Values
The moral principles or accepted standards of a person or group (organization). Values
serve as the basis from which we make personal assessments of the worth, importance, or
efficacy of things as means to achieve our life-goals or the well-being of others.

Z
Zero Tolerance
Non-acceptance of anti-social behaviour, typically by strict and uncompromising application
of the law (or rules/policies). Zero tolerance imposes automatic punishment for infractions
of a stated rule, with the intention of eliminating undesirable conduct (Sources: Wikipedia
and Oxford English Dictionary).
The OSCE Fraud Prevention and Detection Policy provides for zero tolerance for fraud and
corruption.

1 The definition is based on that contained in Article 3 of the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and
Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against
Transnational/Organized Crime.