Introduction

Established in 2011, aditus foundation is a youthful, independent, non-profit NGO in Malta. Named for the Latin word for 'access', aditus focuses on ensuring access to human rights for all in Malta through monitoring, reporting, and acting. aditus works to adopt a broad perspective for human rights in Malta, identifying themes to guide its operations every 3 years. While focused on Malta, we work towards highlighting the regional and international implications of local obstacles to human rights access.

The cornerstone of our activities is offering pro bono legal services to persons requiring it. Our services prioritise persons who are unable to secure private legal services or the Government's legal aid service. To bolster the outreach and the impact of our work, we engage in advocacy activities.

We are founded on the principles of:

• Universality, interdependence and indivisibility of all fundamental human rights, and we strive to promote their understanding and application.
• Dignity, as in promoting and acknowledging the intrinsic value of every person regardless of race, ethnic background, social class, sexual orientation, gender identity,  religious or political beliefs.
• Solidarity that calls us to empower and amplify the voice of people of diverse cultures, nationalities and religions.
• Justice to defend those who have been unrightfully denied their rights, through challenging systems.
• A participatory approach by engaging with local migrant communities and having an open dialogue about the struggles they face and the solutions they bring to Maltese issues.

Scope and Responsibility

We recognise that our team members are persons of high integrity whose actions reflect the core values that underlie this Code of Conduct. It is, however, important for all who are part of our team to understand clearly that the highest standard of conduct is expected of them to ensure the protection of and care for the people with whom we work.

This Code applies to all those associated with aditus foundation, including paid staff, volunteers, board members, and consultants. A similar Code of Conduct also applies for our interpreters.

The Malta Refugee Council Code of Conduct should be read as one with this aditus Code of Conduct.

The team member responsible for overseeing this policy is the Director and all communications, complaints, etc should be sent directly to them. In case communications need to be kept confidential from the Director, they should be sent to the Board's chairperson here.

Content

Professional Behaviour

As a team member of aditus foundation, I commit to:

1. Undertake my duties as an aditus foundation team member conscientiously and in good faith by keeping with the organisation’s values and its mission to respect and defend the rights of those in need of our services.
2. Uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in carrying out my assigned duties in the workplace and in my life outside the official work environment. Furthermore, I will endeavour to represent and further the values and mission of aditus foundation to the best of my ability.
3. Avoid any public statement which may unnecessarily reflect poorly on the name and reputation of aditus foundation.
4. Maintain the highest degree of confidentiality in professional matters.
5. Receive clear instructions and approval from the Director or Deputy Director or a designated aditus foundation official before taking part in any communications or media task associated with my work for aditus foundation.
6. Never use aditus foundation communication equipment or premises (e.g., phones, computers, e- mail, etc.) to transmit harassing, abusive, sexually explicit, racially or ethically offensive, or defamatory material.
7. Display at all times equal respect for all persons regardless of their race, gender identity, sexual orientation, colour, national or ethnic origin, religion, language, age, socio- economic status, political conviction, or any other distinguishing features.
8. Help create and maintain a work environment which prevents sexual exploitation and abuse.
9. Facilitate open and honest communication within aditus foundation.
10. Help create a healthy and positive working environment that allows and encourages all team members to work harmoniously even through challenging and stressful times.

Personal Behaviour

As a team member of aditus foundation, I commit to:

1. Respect all local laws of Malta and honour my private legal obligations.
2. Abide by the 6 Core Principles Relating to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, articulated by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), which prohibit acts of sexual exploitation and abuse, and call for particular responsibility and care towards children and vulnerable adults. I understand that any proven case of exploitation and abuse, whether of a sexual or non-sexual nature, is grounds for immediate dismissal.
3. Follow the aditus foundation Child Protection Policy that prohibits sexual activity with children (persons under the age of 18) regardless of the age of majority or the age of consent locally. Mistaken belief in the age of a child does not serve as a defence for such behaviour.
4. Recognise that sexual relationships between team members and the people we serve, regardless of age, are strongly discouraged since they may be based on inherently unequal power dynamics.
5. Report when concerns or suspicions regarding sexual abuse or exploitation by a fellow team member arise, whether in an aditus foundation environment or elsewhere.
6. Adhere to our strict prohibition against possessing or being under the influence of illegal substances within the workplace environment. The same prohibition applies to being under the influence of alcohol in the workplace or while representing aditus foundation.
7. Respect aditus foundation's position on the prohibition of any threat or act of violence, physical or verbal, either within or outside the workplace environment. Any substantiated case, will result in disciplinary sanction.
8. Behave in a way that does not jeopardise my security or the safety of the team.
9. Ensure that my conduct neither reflects negatively on aditus foundation nor impacts or undermines my or others’ ability to undertake the role for which I am employed.

Conflict of Interest, Coercion, Corruption and Fraud

Furthermore, I agree to:

1. Avoid activities outside the formal work setting (e.g., additional time-consuming employment or volunteer work) that would create a conflict of interest with my aditus foundation duties and responsibilities or detract in any way from my aditus foundation work assignments.
2. Not exchange money, employment, goods, or services for any humiliating, degrading or exploitative behaviour. This includes the exchange of assistance that is due to beneficiaries.
3. Not create business relationships between aditus foundation and any private businesses in which I have a financial interest that may lead to a conflict of interest. If I become aware of a potential conflict of interest, I must immediately discuss this matter with my supervisor.
4. Neither offer to nor accept from the people that aditus foundation represents, from partners or contractors any favours, bribes or other forms of personal enrichment under any circumstances. Small tokens of appreciation may be offered or received, but I must inform my supervisor of any such gifts.
5. Neither seek nor accept instructions from any other authority external to aditus foundation that could jeopardise the scope or implementation of aditus foundation’s work.
6. Be accountable for the property and funds of aditus foundation entrusted to me and to those whom I supervise in aditus foundation. I understand that, if I am proven to have been involved in theft or fraud or if I have mishandled aditus foundation assets, funds or records, I will be liable to pay compensatory damages and will be subject to dismissal.
7. Report behaviours of other staff when I have reasonable suspicion of breaches of the standards of the Code of Conduct.

I have carefully read this aditus foundation Code of Conduct, and having discussed its contents with my supervisor, I have had time to become familiar with the relevant documents. I am committed to aditus foundation’s mission and mandate, and I am aware that aditus foundation expects me to uphold the standards of behaviour described in this Code of Conduct.

I realise that any breach of the Code of Conduct can and may result in the termination of my contract.