On Monday, 12th February, 2024 National Institute of Management, Lahore arranged a Workshop with Ms. Arifa Saboohi, on “Public Service Ethics: Conceptual Understanding and Best Practices” for the participants of 39th MCMC.
The honourable guest speaker started the workshop with defining public service ethics as moral principles and values that guide the conduct and behavior of individuals working in public service organizations. It sets the standards for ethical behavior and ensures that public servants act in the best interest of the public that they serve.
The guest speaker discussed the principles of ethics for a civil servant viz-a-viz the ground realities for the practitioners. She also enunciated the ethical dilemmas and how to resolve them. The following key elements and principles commonly associated with public service ethics were discussed in detail. Public Interest ensures that public servants prioritize the larger good and act in the best interest of the public. Integrity encompasses the fact that public servants uphold high standards of integrity, honesty, and truthfulness. Accountability and Responsibility require that public servants are accountable for their actions and decisions. It also involves accepting the consequences of their actions, including any mistakes or failures. Impartiality and Fairness in public servants ensures that all individuals and groups are treated fairly and equally, without favouritism or discrimination; as per laws, regulations, and established policies, rather than personal biases or preferences. Professionalism exhibited by public servants includes not only maintaining professional standards in their work but also being knowledgeable and competent in their fields. Public servants must adhere to codes of conduct and ethical guidelines specific to their professions.
The principles of public service ethics are essential for fostering trust, maintaining the legitimacy of governmental institutions, and ensuring that public servants act in the best interest of the public. These provide a framework for ethical decision-making and guide the behavior and conduct of those working in the public sector.