Code of Ethics

 

Preamble

The purpose of this Code of Ethics (the ‘Code’) is to provide ethical principles to guide professional conduct.  These principles establish the ideals to which the members of the Institute of Foresters of Australia (the ‘Institute of Foresters’) aspire in the conduct of their professional duties.

 

The Code has seven principles supported by explanatory statements.  These statements elaborate the nature and application of the principles but do not cover all issues associated with each principle; rather, they provide guidance for members of the Institute of Foresters in applying ethical principles in the conduct of their profession.

 

Principles

Members of the Institute of Foresters shall:

  1. Apply and promote the principle of sustainable management to all the resources and values that forests provide.

  2. Maintain high standards of integrity and apply honesty and fair dealing to all aspects of their professional conduct.

  3. Carry out their professional duties with due care and diligence and within the broad bounds of their areas of competence.

  4. Continue to improve the quality and range of professional forestry services to society.

  5. Strive to improve the quality of education in forestry and forest science.

  6. Strive to improve the public understanding of forestry.

  7. Continue to develop professional skills and knowledge and share them freely with colleagues and other professionals.

Explanation of the Principles

 

Principle One

Members of the Institute of Foresters shall apply and promote the principle of sustainable management to all the resources and values that forests provide.

  1. In managing native forests, members should apply the principles of ecological sustainability so that as full a range of values as possible is maintained within the forest as a whole.

  2. Forest management and harvesting in native forests and plantation forests should be conducted and monitored in accordance with principles and practices that aim to ensure ecological sustainability.

Principle Two

Members of the Institute of Foresters shall maintain high standards of integrity and apply honesty and fair dealing to all aspects of their professional conduct.

  1. Members are entrusted with the management of forest resources owned by public and private interests and, for the good of society, members should not waiver from high standards in the conduct of their profession.

  2. Members should at all times conduct their professional duties and business with due regard for the law and statutory requirements, and they should not disclose information provided to them in confidence.

  3. Members should maintain the integrity of the forestry profession by insisting on trust and equity in relationships among colleagues and with professionals from other disciplines.

  4. Members should not condone misuse of their professional knowledge and skills.

Principle Three

Members of the Institute of Foresters shall carry out their professional duties with due care and diligence and within the broad bounds of their areas of competence.

  1. Members should practise forestry only within the bounds of their expertise.

  2. Members should consider benefits, costs and risks of alternative courses of action when providing advice or making decisions relating to the management of forest resources.

  3. Members should seek advice, where necessary, from more experienced colleagues and other relevant sources when making decisions or providing advice about forestry issues.

  4. Members should endeavour to maintain levels of physical and mental health that allow them to competently carry out their professional duties.

Principle Four

Members of the Institute of Foresters shall continue to improve the quality and range of professional forestry services to society.

  1. Members should take notice and give due consideration to the opinions of all sectors of society in determining the directions of professional forestry development.

  2. Members should be prepared to participate in peer review and quality assurance procedures.

Principle Five

Members of the Institute of Foresters shall strive to improve the quality of education in forestry and forest science.

  1. Members should support the development and review of forest science and management curricula at tertiary institutions.

  2. Members should contribute to education in forestry and forest science by imparting their knowledge and experience through electronic and written media and by teaching at educational institutions.

  3. Members should support, encourage and mentor younger members of the Institute of Foresters.

Principle Six

Members of the Institute of Foresters shall strive to improve the public  understanding of forestry.

  1. Members should participate in the debate on forestry and related issues at the local, State and National levels.

  2. Members should ensure that they are familiar with the goals, objectives and policies of the Institute of Foresters and should promote these when debating forestry and related issues.

  3. Members should debate forestry and related issues without applying censorship, bias or ridicule.

  4. Members should ensure that they are well informed with contemporary knowledge and at all times should present a reasoned view on forestry issues.

Principle Seven

Members of the Institute of Foresters shall continue to develop professional skills and knowledge and share them freely with colleagues and other professionals.

  1. Members should continue to develop their professional knowledge by using various methods of continuing education and professional development.

  2. Members should interact with colleagues and professionals from other disciplines to develop their professional knowledge.

  3. Members should be prepared to contribute to training courses and other means of education for professional colleagues.

  4. Members should share new public domain knowledge with colleagues and professionals from other relevant disciplines.

Application of the Code

The Institute of Foresters shall have procedures for the investigation of complaints against members, procedures for disciplinary measures for unethical behaviour and provisions for appeal.  These procedures and provisions  shall follow the rules of natural justice.

 

The Code applies to all members of the Institute of Foresters.

 

The Code applies to all aspects of professional forestry including management, administration, supervision, workplace relations, teaching, consulting and research.

 

The Code has been developed for the forestry profession in Australia but is also relevant to members of the Institute of Foresters who are practising forestry overseas.

 

The Code is distributed to all members of the Institute of Foresters.

 

The Code is available to members of the public.

 

The Institute of Foresters shall review the Code on a regular basis.