CODE OF ETHICS

PREAMBLE

 

1. The Code of Ethics is a set of principles that express the basic values of the organizational culture, the direction of the civic association and help the members of the association to build and spread the good name of the WORLD OF SILENCE – (OZ SIZZOAMS) (hereinafter referred to as the “Association”).
2. The Code of Ethics is a publicly accessible document that all members of the association follow, it is enshrined in the statutes of the association and is part of the application for membership of the association.
3. The Code of Ethics can be changed or supplemented according to the needs of the association, after approval by an absolute majority of the participating regular members at the membership meeting.

 

VALUES OF THE ASSOCIATION

 

1. The civic association WORLD OF SILENCE – (OZ SIZZOAMS) is an independent and non-partisan association of individuals supporting the idea of equality, inclusion and understanding between the hearing and the deaf, supporting the accessibility of information, culture and education for everyone without barriers to communication.
2. WORLD OF SILENCE is an organization dedicated to supporting marginalized communities, especially deaf and deaf Roma who face social exclusion and language deprivation. Our mission is to remove barriers to access to education, employment and legal protection, while strengthening their linguistic and cultural identity. We believe that every person has the right to equal opportunities, regardless of their language, ethnicity or hearing impairment.
3. Our goal is to create a society where language deprivation and social exclusion will not be an obstacle to a full life. We want to expand access to inclusive education, strengthen community support and push for legislative changes that will help marginalized groups achieve a better future. We believe that only by working together can we achieve a truly inclusive and equitable society.
4. WORLD OF SILENCE – ( OZ SIZZOAMS) subscribes to the principles of democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights, based on the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
5. The organization WORLD OF SILENCE – (OZ SIZZOAMS) comments exclusively on topics related to the rights and status of deaf people, especially deaf Roma, access to information, inclusion, education, deaf culture and the removal of communication barriers in society.
6. The organization WORLD OF SILENCE – (OZ SIZZOAMS) does not support political parties or specific politicians. The association refrains from such actions that could call into question the independence, weight and the only goal of the association, which is to support homeschooling in Slovakia.
7. The organization WORLD OF SILENCE – (OZ SIZZOAMS) does not support and undertakes not to accept financial support from political entities.

 

MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION

1. A member of a civic association can be anyone who fills in an application, undertakes to act in accordance with this Code and respects the statutes of the association. However, a member of a political party cannot be elected to the management or control bodies.
2. The members of the association respect the principles of democracy and civil coexistence.
3. The actions of the members of the Association within the framework of their activities in the Association are in accordance with the values of the Association and the rules of external communication mentioned in this document and are defined by their framework of generally binding regulations and regulations of the Slovak Republic.
4. The Association is not responsible for the actions of members in their lives carried out outside the environment of the official activities of the Association.
5. Members of the association are obliged to act in such a way as not to damage the association and its reputation.
6. Public statements of the members of the association on the topic of homeschooling are subject to the rules set out in the section External communication.
7. Violation of the Code of Ethics may lead to the suspension or termination of membership in the association, which will be immediately decided by the membership meeting.

 

EXTERNAL COMMUNICATION

1. Publication of media outputs on behalf of the association is subject to prior approval by the membership board of the association.
2. In the case of public statements of members, it is always necessary to specify whether it is the personal opinion of the member or the official position of the association.
3. The association brand can only be used for activities organized or co-organized by the association. In the case of a co-organization, the use of the brand is always approved by the membership meeting.

 

INTERNAL COMMUNICATION

1. Members of the association cooperate on the principle of equality of all members, mutual respect and tolerance and help each other. Within the association, we create an open, respectful and safe environment with a friendly atmosphere.
2. We pay attention to the protection of personal data and respond flexibly to changed conditions on the part of our members and the state.

ETHICAL PRINCIPLES

Our ethical principles towards workers, volunteers and interns:

1. we value and respect all people in the organization, reject discrimination and create an inclusive environment;
2. we create an open, pleasant and safe workplace with a family and friendly atmosphere;
3. we comply with mutual obligations and payment deadlines;
4. we deal with each person individually about their evaluation, job description, goals, challenges and, if necessary, reservations about their performance;
5. we are accommodating to personal needs, we allow the use of flexible working hours, we support personal learning and development, we enable work from home, etc.;
6. we pay attention to the protection of personal data or information about the amount of remuneration, etc.;
7. If anyone in the WORLD OF SILENCE – (OZ SIZZOAMS) organization feels that it is difficult for them for any reason (whether professional or private) or that they encounter unwanted behavior in their work, they will find support from their confidants.

 

Our ethical principles towards donors

1. we build our relationship with donors on the principle of partnership, we respect their will, unless it is contrary to the law or the rules of the civic association, and we fully inform them about the use of the funds entrusted to us;
2. we work efficiently, ensure the appropriate use of financial and human resources, and pay attention to minimizing unnecessary accompanying costs;
3. we take care of proper records of donations received and contributions provided;
4. we ensure adequate internal control of decision-making procedures, financial and human resources, and regularly evaluate and improve our operations and programs;
5. We keep our accounts properly and our management regularly undergoes an independent audit.

 

         Our Ethical Principles for Nonprofits and Other Beneficiaries

1. we are aware that we are important representatives of the non-profit sector and we act in such a way as not to damage its reputation;
2. we carry out our grant activities in accordance with our statute, mission, values and Code of Ethics;
3. we make sure that decisions on grant and other support are governed by clear and pre-established rules, either on the basis of pre-published calls or on the basis of strategies agreed with donors;
4. we apply equal opportunities for all and provide them with timely and accurate information;
5. we make sure that decisions on support are impartial and that there is no conflict of interest, corruption or clientelism;
6. we consider the beneficiaries of support as equal partners, we conclude clear and unambiguous contracts with them, we fulfil our obligations on time and require the contractual fulfilment of obligations by the beneficiaries;
7. we try to minimize redundant and nonsensical administrative requirements, but we insist on fulfilling the formal requirements that are necessary and necessary for a clear record of applications, a clear declaration of project intentions and for true and measurable reporting of the funds used and the results achieved;
8. we take care to check the proper use of the support provided in accordance with the contract;
9. we protect the intellectual values put into the submitted projects and make sure that the original ideas of the applicants are not used for the benefit of another entity without their knowledge;
10. We care about the protection of personal data.

 

Our Ethical Principles Towards the Public

1. we only carry out activities in accordance with a generally beneficial purpose, we do not carry out activities or cooperate with organizations, companies or people whose activities would threaten freedom, human rights, ethics, democracy and which would have significant negative effects on the environment;
2. we do not support political parties or specific politicians and refrain from such actions that could call into question our independence;
3. we maintain our inner freedom and do not accept support from governments, companies, organizations or people that would jeopardize our independence, the ability to express ourselves openly and critically, or force us to make moral compromises;
4. We are aware that no person, organization, company or government is perfect and infallible, we also accept cooperation with those who have made mistakes in the past, but we refuse to cooperate and do not accept donations from those who currently or in the long term and without willingness to remedy threaten freedom, human rights, ethics, democracy and the environment, or about whom there are serious indications that their funds come from illegal or unethical activities;
5. Through our websites, annual reports and other publications, we provide anyone with the opportunity to get acquainted with the statute, mission, vision, values, activities, results of work, our management and sources of funding, partners, grant conditions and grant recipients, or people who are part of our board of directors and supervisory boards or work in the foundation;
6. we strive to ensure that our activities have a minimal negative impact on the environment, and we also try to take into account their ethical and environmental dimension when choosing goods and services;
7. We promote our activities in an ethical way.

 

Approved by the membership meeting on 08.01.2024 based on Resolution No. 8/2024.