Ethics Explorer: Equity and Fairness in Social Performance
Welcome to Ethics Explorer, your monthly guide to navigating ethical challenges in social performance practice. Each month, we explore one of the core ethical principles that guide our profession, illustrated with real examples and practical guidance. This month’s Ethics Explorer focuses on Equity and Fairness in Social Performance.
Audio play here:
This Month’s Ethical Principle: Equity and Fairness in Social Performance
Practitioners should advocate for equitable treatment of all stakeholders, particularly vulnerable groups, ensuring projects don’t disproportionately benefit certain social groups at the expense of others.
Example of this principle in social performance practice
Leila advocates for groups that don’t have formal land rights in a resettlement project but face displacement. By documenting their historical connection to the land and advocating for their inclusion in compensation schemes, she ensures that vulnerable groups aren’t further marginalized by the project.
Example of how a practitioner can face a difficult decision because they see this principle as being conflicted at work
Hiroshi struggles with implementing a community development program where the most influential village leaders demand preferential treatment in job allocation and training opportunities.
He faces multiple pressures:
- Local elites threaten to withdraw support for the project without preferential treatment
- Company management wants to maintain good relationships with influential stakeholders
- Youth and women’s groups feel excluded from opportunities
- Project timelines require quick decisions on resource allocation
This situation exemplifies key ethical challenges:
- Power dynamics: Balancing local power structures with equitable development
- Stakeholder expectations: Managing competing demands from different groups
- Organizational pressures: Meeting project deadlines while ensuring fair processes
- Professional values: Maintaining ethical standards despite external pressures
