Ensuring the credibility and
effectiveness of CSO selfregulation: the Cameroon
CSOs Code of Ethics.
By :Eric Ngang
North West Association of
Development Organisations (NWADOCameroon)
What is the code of Ethics for CSOs
• It is a document that defines a set of norms,
principles and values to standardise the
conduct, action and behaviour of CSOs and
recognises CSOs as a voluntary, non profit, nonself-serving, with legal existence, nongovernmental, non-partisan and independent
organization or association involved in the
promotion of social justice and development.
CSOs can have a national or international
mission.
Drivers
• The Code is intended to improve
partnerships between public sector, other
CSOs and the Private Sector including
overseas development partners and CSOs
by defining accepted and acceptable
behaviour, promoting high standards of
practice and providing a benchmark for
CSOs to use for self-evaluation.
Background
• Civil Society Organizations in Cameroon have, over
the years played an increasingly influential role in
promoting social and economic change.
• They have influenced in no small measure, local
and national policy-formulation and in certain
instances, have taken over roles and duties that
traditionally belonged to the government.
In addition, due to their watchdog status, CSOs
have become key players in the democracy
movement, demanding high standards of
transparency and accountability from government.
Background cont
• It is therefore not surprising that the
increase in influence of CSOs in recent
years has also raised the issue of
transparency, legitimacy, accountability
and general good management practices
on the part of CSOs themselves
Background cont
• Within this context, the Government and
several overseas development partners
have commonly raised the concerns about
the proliferation of CSOs, the credibility,
acceptability and accountability of some
CSOs.
• It is therefore imperative for the CSOs to
set clear standards of accountability,
credibility and transparency.
What CSOs aim to achieve with a
Code of Ethics?
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Improve their credibility and acceptability
vis-à-vis the government, the population,
financial and technical partners in and
out of the country.
Target groups and beneficiaries
Direct target groups will be voluntary, notfor-profit, non-self-serving, nongovernmental, non-partisan and independent
organizations or association involved in the
promotion of social justice and development
recognized under the laws that regulates
CSOs (Associations, Cooperatives and
Common Initiative Groups and NGOs) in
Cameroon. The Organizations may be
secular or "faith-based"
Target groups and beneficiaries Cont
• Indirect target groups shall include the
communities that these organizations
serve and work with, the Government that
supports and regulates the work of these
organizations and overseas development
partners that provide them with various
forms of assistance.
The process
•Working sessions were organized with a core
working team of 12 key organisations (NOWECA,
NWADO, SIRDEP, RIDEV, FONDATION
FIDEPE/OIASC, COMINSUD, Club Media Ouest,
GEED Foundation, AJPCEDES, Light Africa.
INADES Formation, NOWEFOR ).
•A questionnaire for CSO image was developed and
administered. Sample codes of ethics from other
countries and organisations were consulted as base
documents and a draft code of ethics was produced
which was discussed and agreed upon .
Process continues
• A National civil society reflection was held
in 2009 bringing together 50 CSOs from
across the national territory during which
the draft code of ethics was further enrich
with country experience especially the
process carried out by DENIVA, in
Uganda.
• A press conference was organised during
which the code of ethics was presented to
the public.
Content of the code of ethics
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-Definition
-Scope
-Principles and Aspiration
-Good Governance
-Organizational integrity and independence
-Management and Human Resources
Financial Management and accountability
-Communication and networking
- Conflict of Interest
-Enforcement of the Code
-Revision of the Code
Way Forward
• -Reflection on setting up an Ethics
Committee and how it will function
• -Procedures for accreditation and a format
for demand for accreditation
• -Formulate procedures for complains and
redress at the Ethic Committee.
• - Reflection has to be done on revision of
the Code, indicators and challenges.
• -Widely disseminate the Code
Challenges
• Civil society in Cameroon is very diverse and it
is difficult to achieve sector wide and country
wide support from potential stakeholders.
• Some CSOs simply view the code as another
layer of regulation and fear sanctions and so
resist adherence.
• NWADO also find it difficult to acquire adequate
financial resources to disseminate and
implement the code at all levels in Cameroon
(i.e. both local and national NGOs).
Thanks for your attention