Transparency International-Estonia will investigate the opportunities to facilitate the development of codes of business ethics by the branches of economy by conducting a project "Against corruption with business ethics" Objectives Raise awareness of business ethics in Estonia. Make it clear to the business sector and the general public that good and sound business practices are to the benefit of all in the long term. The project includes various activities between the period 01.01.2009-31.12.2009. During the project’s implementation, issues of corruption in Estonia will be highlighted and positive examples from the Nordic countries will be drawn as a model. Nordic expertise will be used with the help of the chambers of commerce of the Nordic countries in Estonia. National chapters of Transparency International in Finland, Latvia and Lithuania will be involved. It is important to involve various trade organisations, such as the Estonian Employers Confederation, Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as Estonia’s biggest companies and the Estonian Ministry of Justice. Activities I During the project’s implementation, various Business Ethics Codes of Estonia and other countries and will be analyzed. From TI Finland, TI Estonia expects suggestions for Business Ethics Codes analysis and information about various Business Ethics Codes in Finland. Also to help TI Estonia as an experts.Latvia and Lithuania will also be involved. Result: creation of a data base on Business Ethics Codes; report on the analysis of the codes. II Preparing a framework for Business Ethics Code on a sectorial basis The analysis of various Business Ethics Codes enables us to find an optimal solution for business ethics code on a sectorial basis. Result: to get thoroughly analyzed framework and basic principles of the Code of Business Ethics on a sectorial basis, including the expert opinion. III Follow-up the Round-table meeting in Estonia (at the moment only for Estonian participants) in co-operation with Estonian Ministry of Justice. Discussion on the results of research. Result: decision on the state of affairs with the Code of Business Ethics on a sectorial basis. Charting further activity. IV Business Ethics Code basic principles on a sectorial basis are formulated and ready for presentation. II Baltic – Nordic Conference on Business Ethics to take place in April 2009. “Promoting Business Ethics: Baltic Challenges, Nordic Experience” Tallinn, Estonia, April 2009 Chief organiser: Transparency International’s (TI) Estonian chapter Korruptsioonivaba Eesti, with TI partners Participants: Representatives of business corporations, Transparency International national chapters, politicians, officials, journalists (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and Finland). Discussion on Business ethics code basic principles on a sectorial basis. Resolution.The aim of the conference is to discuss the state of affairs with implementing good business practices in the region and in Estonia. What obstacles are there on the way to doing business in a corruption-free way? What role does a code of business ethics play in shaping the business climate? What are the standards and practices in the Baltic and Nordic countries? V Closing the project “Against corruption with business ethics“ a) Preparing final report about Business Ethics Code basic principles on a sectorial basis in Co-operation with TI Finland and Estonian Ministry of Justice. b) During the drafting of the Code of Business Ethics basic principles on a sectorial basis, articles will be submitted to the main Estonian newspapers. Also, press releases will be sent to all media all throughout the project’s implementation period. c) When the framework Code of Business Ethics basic principles on a sectorial basis has been prepared by November 2010, it will be published on the web page of TI-Estonia as well as in media outlets. d) Round-table meeting ready for presentation Business Ethics Code basic principles on a sectorial basis Goals Project’s chief goal is to fight against corruption in Estonia by promoting business ethics. The involvement of the business community, including the umbrella organisations in the sector, is likely to have a direct impact on the individual level of companies and enterpreneurs. The Project will also help make it clear to the business sector and the general public that good and sound business practices are to the benefit of all in the long term. The involvement of Transparency International’s chapters from Latvia and Lithuania will help equip the NGOs of the other Baltic states with the experience of drafting a self-regulatory business ethics code. Project is financed by the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Support Programme for NGO Cooperation among the Nordic and Baltic Countries
