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Charte éthique

Who

Representatives of each team of a project or organization

Source et inspiration

This workshop draws from several participatory and collaborative tools commonly used to develop an ethics charter or to define shared collective values

Where

A workspace

DURATION

2 – 3 hours per step (approximately 7 – 8 hours total)

MATERIALS

Paper, pens, post-its, colored stickers

EXERCISE DESCRIPTION

This workshop proposes a collective process for creating an ethics charter for a project or an organization, with the participation of people from all parts of the project or organization (project leaders, educators, young participants, etc.).

The workshop takes place in three stages:
1. Identify the core values of the project or organization
2. Define these values
3. Associate each value with concrete actions

Before beginning, ensure that everyone shares a basic understanding of what the word “value” means. Invite participants to share their own definitions and list a few examples. Summarize them.

At the end of the three steps, collectively write the final version of the ethics charter, including an introduction presenting the project or organization, the goals, and the spirit of the charter. Ensure the charter is concise, inspiring, and understandable for all members of the project or organization. Take time to confirm each section collectively. Propose a symbolic or playful way for participants to commit to the charter, i.e. through signatures or by taking part in a small activity that shows their commitment to the values expressed in the charter.

Challenges around values and ethics charters include:

  • – What are the values truly perceived by those both inside and outside the project or organization?
  • – What is the gap between the values expressed in the charter, and the values perceived by those inside or outside the project or organization?

Step 1 – Choosing the core values

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Divide participants into small groups. Each group thinks about the values they consider essential for the organization or the project. They are instructed to choose a set number of values (five, for example) and write each value on a piece of paper (one value per sheet of paper). At the end of the designated time, collect all sheets of paper, and display them where the entire group can see them. Group duplicate values together. Facilitate a group discussion around the chosen values and ask participants to explain their choices. Afterward, each person receives five stickers (or more) and uses them to “vote” on their most important values. It’s possible to put multiple stickers on the same value. Count the stickers and select the five values that received the most votes. Read them aloud and confirm that everyone agrees with the final choices.

Step 2 – Defining the values collectively

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Create as many groups as there are values. Each group receives one value and proposes a definition, sharing words, phrases, and ideas that convey its meaning. At the end of the allotted time, each group presents a synthesized definition and the main points discussed. Allow for brief input from the other participants so that the entire group may contribute to completing each definition. If needed, give each group time to reformulate their definition based on the new contributions. Re-read all definitions aloud and confirm that the entire group agrees with the final definitions.

Step 3 – Proposing concrete actions

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Once the values and their definitions are confirmed by the entire group, each smaller group proposes its corresponding concrete actions. With the whole group, select the most pertinent, specific, and realistic actions that embody each value. Finalize a list of concrete actions associated with each chosen value.

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