Professional Ethics at Portugal
Professional Ethics in Portugal
Portugal has established a robust framework to promote professional ethics across various sectors, including public administration, healthcare, education, and corporate governance. These frameworks aim to ensure transparency, accountability, and integrity in professional conduct.
1. Public Administration
Portugal's public administration is guided by a set of ethical principles that emphasize the primacy of public interest, legality, loyalty, integrity, impartiality, and equality. These principles are outlined by the Directorate-General for Administration and Public Employment (DGAEP) and serve as a foundation for the conduct of public employees. (directorate general for administration and public employment)
In April 2024, the Portuguese government approved a new Code of Conduct for the XXIV Constitutional Executive. This code serves as an instrument of self-regulation to promote greater responsibility, transparency, integrity, and ethics in public governance. It introduces several innovations compared to the previous code, including an expanded scope of application, the creation of an anonymous reporting channel, and the establishment of a risk forecasting plan supervised by the National Anti-Corruption Mechanism. (Government approves new Code of Conduct - The Portugal News)
2. Healthcare
The Portuguese Dental Association (Ordem dos Médicos Dentistas) has established a Code of Ethics that outlines the fundamental rights and duties of dentists. This code emphasizes the importance of professional independence, ethical conduct, and the prohibition of commercial practices that may compromise patient care. (Code of Ethics - Ordem dos Médicos Dentistas)
3. Education
The University of Porto has implemented a Code of Ethics in Academic Conduct, which defines the rules of conduct that should guide all members of the university community in areas such as research, teaching, and relations with the outside world. Additionally, the university has established a Code of Good Conduct for Preventing and Combating Harassment and Discrimination at Work, promoting a policy of non-tolerance regarding the practice of harassment inside and outside the workplace. (Ethics and Conduct - University of Porto)
4. Corporate Governance
The Portuguese Association for Purchasing and Materials Management (APCADEC) has adopted a Code of Ethics aligned with the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact. This code emphasizes the importance of human rights, labor standards, environmental responsibility, and anti-corruption measures in procurement practices. (APCADEC - Portuguese Association for Purchasing and Materials Management)
5. Sector-Specific Codes of Conduct
Energy Services Regulatory Authority (ERSE): ERSE has established a Code of Ethics and Conduct to guide the behavior of its employees, ensuring transparency and accountability in their relations with each other and with third parties. (Code of Ethics and Conduct - ERSE)
LIPOR (Intermunicipal Waste Management): LIPOR has revised its Code of Ethics and Conduct to comply with the General Regime for the Prevention of Corruption, emphasizing the prevention and combating of corruption and related offenses. (LIPOR approves revision of its Code of Ethics and Conduct - News - Lipor)
Directorate-General for Maritime Policy (DGRM): DGRM's Code of Conduct promotes an ethical and constructive organizational climate, respecting the principles of public service, social responsibility, equality, conciliation, and sustainable development. (Code of Conduct - DGRM)
Summary Table: Professional Ethics Frameworks in Portugal
Sector
Key Ethical Frameworks
Public Administration
DGAEP Ethical Principles, Government Code of Conduct (2024)
Healthcare
Code of Ethics - Portuguese Dental Association
Education
University of Porto: Code of Ethics in Academic Conduct, Code of Good Conduct
Corporate Governance
APCADEC Code of Ethics (aligned with UN Global Compact)
Energy Sector
ERSE Code of Ethics and Conduct
Waste Management
LIPOR Code of Ethics and Conduct
Maritime Policy
DGRM Code of Conduct
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