Manly’s Ethical Charter
Council resolved in August, 2004 to convene an Ethical Standards Working Group to develop an Ethical Standards List for Council.
The Charter is based on Ecologically Sustainable Development as defined in the Local Government Act, Manly’s Sustainability Strategy and the internationally supported Earth Charter. The Charter is an umbrella over Council’s implementation policies to ensure that Council’s business and operations abide by the Charter’s principles.Council is committed to supporting the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) as defined in the Local Government Act 1993 and ethical business practices.
Council believes that sustainability must be the guiding principle of our business, requiring policies that meet the needs and aspirations of the present generation without compromising the opportunity of future generations to fulfil their needs and aspirations. Council also supports the Earth Charter and recognise that it is sets the grounding principles for sustainability.
We support and will act on the following principles in our services:
- Equity and justice - We will act fairly, seeking to ensure equity, tolerance and removal of discrimination and support democratic societies that are just, participatory, sustainable and peaceful.
- Respect - We will treat other people and the environment with respect and acknowledge and support the values of indigenous peoples and minorities.
- Sustaining the environment - We will act with care and caution towards the environment, protecting the biosphere, its biodiversity, and using its resources sustainably for present and future generations.
- Creating and sharing sustainable prosperity - We will seek to create and share prosperity in a way that helps sustain our business, the community and the environment, and support locally based businesses who share these ethics where possible.
- Responsibility - We will take all responsibility for our actions and for any harm or good we cause. We will account for our actions, evaluating our progress in implementing these principles, and seek to continually improve. We also commit to combat corruption in all its forms, and the obstacles to good governance.
We will not associate with organisations who act in direct contradiction to these principles.
This Ethical Charter places a requirement on Council to give significant consideration to the effects our business and operations may have on local and global sustainability. It will be integrated into Council's key policies to guarantee implementation.