American Society for Public Administration Code of Ethics

• Published date: 01 September 2022
• Date: 01 September 2022
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/puar.13546

788Public Administration Review • September | O ctober 2022

Public Administration Review,

Vol. 82, Iss. 5, pp. 788. © 2022 by

The American Society for Public Administration.

DOI: 10.1111/puar.13546.

American Society for Public Administration Code of Ethics

The American Society for Public Administration

(ASPA) advances the science, art, and practice

of public administration. The Society affirms

its responsibility to develop the spirit of responsible

professionalism within its membership and to increase

awareness and commitment to ethical principles and

standards among all those who work in public service

in all sectors. To this end, we, the members of the

Society, commit ourselves to uphold the following

principles:

1. Advance the Public Interest. Promote the

interests of the public and put service to the

public above service to oneself.

2. Uphold the Constitution and the Law.

Respect and support government constitu-

tions and laws, while seeking to improve laws

and policies to promote the public good.

3. Promote Democratic Participation. Inform

the public and encourage active engagement

in governance. Be open, transparent and

responsive, and respect and assist all persons

in their dealings with public organizations.

4. Strengthen Social Equity.Treat all persons

with fairness, justice, and equality and respect

individual differences, rights, and freedoms.

Promote affirmative action and other

initiatives to reduce unfairness, injustice, and

inequality in society.

5. Fully Inform and Advise. Provide accurate,

honest, comprehensive, and timely informa-

tion and advice to elected and appointed

officials and governing board members, and to

staff members in your organization.

6. Demonstrate Personal Integrity. Adhere to

the highest standards of conduct to inspire

public confidence and trust in public service.

7. Promote Ethical Organizations. Strive to

attain the highest standards of ethics, steward-

ship, and public service in organizations that

serve the public.

8. Advance Professional Excellence. Strengthen

personal capabilities to act competently and

ethically and encourage the professional

development of others.

Approved by the ASPA National Council March 16, 2013,

along with Practices for carrying out the Code available

atwww.aspanet.org/CodeofEthics. In 2014, the Ethics

and Standards Implementation Committee was created to

advance awareness of ethics in public service, provide advice

and assistance to members in handling ethical problems,

and review and seek to resolve ethics complaints regarding

members who may have violated the Code.