APEN Statement of Values and Code of Ethics

We, the members of APEN, believe our profession gives us a unique opportunity to make a positive contribution to individuals, organisations and society.  We recognise the importance of defining and making known the values and ethical principles that guide our actions, and best practice to follow for honesty, integrity, and professionalism.

This Statement of Values and Code of Ethics serves as a guide to the professional conduct of our members.  This Statement and Code recognises the complexity of our roles, including the spectrum of personal, professional and cultural diversity in APEN’S membership and in the field of extension.  This Statement and Code also informs the public and clients of the standards of ethical conduct for which APEN members are to be responsible and accountable.

APEN Members are committed to using these values and ethics to guide their professional practice.  APEN members have a responsibility to ensure that they are familiar with this Code of Ethics, to understand its application to their professional conduct, and to strive to adhere to its principles and values.

Statement of values

As APEN members and extension professionals, we bring people together and facilitate positive and productive relationships.  We believe in collaboration and work closely with others to achieve positive outcomes.  We include and represent a diverse range of people, industries and sectors.   We demonstrate competence, reliability, respect and accountability.  We consistently operate in an authentic, honest and ethical manner.

Code of ethics

• Professional Practice

We act in the best interests of our clients at all times, using our professional skills and knowledge to add value to their work.  We behave with integrity and professionalism at all times.  We use appropriate extension processes, methods and tools, and it is our responsibility to ensure that we are competent to handle these processes, methods and tools.  We avoid using processes, methods or tools with which we are insufficiently skilled, or which are poorly matched to the needs of individuals, groups or clients.

• Conflict of Interest

Prior to working with a client, we openly and honestly discuss any potential conflict of interest or personal bias.  We refrain from using our position to secure unfair or inappropriate privilege, gain, or benefit or of the information gained through the client relationship to our own advantage or that of any other person or entity.

• Confidentiality

We safeguard privacy and confidentiality of all information. We maintain client confidentiality outside of the client's organisation.  We do not report on group content and material generated in the course of our work, or the opinions or behaviour of individuals without consent.

• Professional Development

We commit to maintaining and building our competency, and we are responsible for continuous improvement of our extension skills and knowledge.  We seek opportunities to improve our knowledge and extension skills to better assist individuals and groups in their work. We remain current in the field of extension through our practical experiences and ongoing personal development.

• Upholding the profession of extension

As extension professionals, we understand, believe in and uphold extension as a profession.  We understand what extension is and how it operates.  We promote the practice of extension.  We support organisations that practice extension and we support fellow extension professionals in their work.