WASHINGTON— The American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) has called on governments and organizations at all levels to reaffirm their commitment to an inclusive society and to reject laws and policies that are counterproductive to it.
ASPA’s Code of Ethics highlights the critical need to increase awareness and commitment to ethical principles and standards among all those who work in public service. These principles include:
- Respecting and supporting government constitutions and laws, while seeking to improve laws and policies to promote the public good.
- Treating all persons with fairness, justice and equality and respecting individual differences, rights and freedoms. Promoting affirmative action and other initiatives to reduce unfairness, injustice and inequality in society.
Prompted by recently enacted discriminatory legislation in North Carolina and Mississippi, ASPA supports the efforts of its membership in working to negate these regressive actions. Such laws as North Carolina HB2 and Mississippi HB 1523 undermine ASPA’s Code and are damaging to an open and free society.
“Discrimination is incongruent with ASPA values,” ASPA President Susan Gooden said. “ASPA represents a broad and diverse workforce and it is critical that our country has laws that respect and reflect its makeup.”
ASPA encourages its members and all public servants to continue their constant work to promote an inclusive and nondiscriminatory society.
ASPA is the leading interdisciplinary public service organization that advances the art, science, teaching and practice of public and nonprofit administration. Learn more at www.aspanet.org
