There is a continuous effort at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to promote and uphold the ethics and values required from all staff working at UN organizations across the world.
In this connection, a one day ‘Ethics Workshop’ was organized at the FAO Representation in Islamabad to refresh staff about the ethical practices required of them at the workplace.
Opening the workshop, Ms Mina’ Dowlatchahi FAO Representative highlighting the importance of the workshop said that it was an opportunity for staff to reflect and introspect which would help identify ways to work together in an effective and efficient manner as a team. “At the same time the exercise would enable staff to play their role to deliver the mandate of the United Nations”, she added.
Mr Bernardin Ndashimye, Ombudsman and Ethics Officer FAO in Rome conducted this workshop. In the Ethics Orientation session, Mr Ndashimye highlighted the following topics:
• The role of the Ombudsman and Ethics Office
• Overview of the Standards of Conduct for International Civil Service
• Harassment and abuse of authority
• Whistleblower protection
• Conflicts of interest
• Protection from sexual exploitation and abuse
He also reiterated that there is zero tolerance at FAO for unethical behavior including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse of power or authority.
This was an interactive session in which FAO employees from all cadres openly raised questions and gave their comments and feedback.