The specific role and mission of Honorary Consuls (HC) require individuals who hold this position to possess a set of aptitudes, qualities, and virtues necessary for the effective execution of their duties.
The UCHM thus aims to affirm and formalize the values inherent to the HC mission, as well as the rules of good conduct or ethical principles applicable to its members.
It is important to note that this Code of Ethics:
– Has no regulatory value. It is a collection of best practices guiding the actions of HCs, but it does not replace the statutes and legal or regulatory texts. Ethics for HCs begins with respect for the law.
– Is not a moral code for HCs. Its recommendations are based on common sense and aim to reconcile ethics with the effectiveness of the HC’s actions.
– Does not claim to be exhaustive. It provides guidelines for major ethical questions that an HC may face. These recommendations should be adapted to circumstances and may, with adjustments, inform the HC’s decisions and behavior.
1.1 Respect for the General Interest and for Individuals
The exercise of the HC mission must be based on:
– Respect for the primacy of the rule of law, laws, policies, and directives.
– Loyal, non-partisan, and objective action, with strict respect for both our country and the represented country.
– Open, honest, and impartial communication while showing restraint, moderation, and professional discretion.
– Respectful, dignified, and equitable treatment of all individuals.
– Altruism towards people in difficulty.
– Openness to diversity and multiculturalism.
– Cooperative practices in a climate of transparency, openness, and honesty to foster trust, engagement, collaboration, and respectful communication.
1.2 Integrity and Exemplarity
By adhering to high ethical standards and exemplary behavior, the HC maintains and builds trust with stakeholders through:
– Dignified conduct under all circumstances to uphold the image and status associated with the HC role.
– Intellectual honesty and loyalty.
– Avoiding the misuse of the official role for personal gain or to harm others.
– Proper acquisition, retention, and sharing of information and knowledge.
– Irreproachable behavior both professionally and personally.
1.3 Excellence
Excellence entails:
– Providing fair, effective, efficient, and timely services.
– Continuously improving the quality of relations with stakeholders.
– Striving for excellence in all aspects of the mission and leveraging experience to constantly improve performance.
1.4 Conflicts of Interest