Future Horizons Institute (hereafter FHI) is committed to upholding the highest standards of conduct, professionalism, and integrity in all its work. Unless otherwise specified, this Code of Conduct applies to members of FHI’s Board and the FHI’s Advisory Board, as well as FHI’s staff, sub-contractors, and anyone acting on FHI’s behalf (hereafter: FHI staff and co-workers). It includes both mandatory legal requirements and the voluntary standards that FHI seeks to uphold. 

I. Values and ethics 

FHI strives for excellence and relevance in its activities. Well managed activities and income growth are considered as necessary but not sufficient conditions of its success. In addition, FHI aims to implement activities that are innovative and relevant from the standpoint of sustainable development, to develop the expertise of its staff and co-workers within well-defined areas of competence, and to promote standards of scientific rigour and quality. 

FHI places strong emphasis on impartiality, objectivity, and professionalism. FHI staff and co-workers shall be accountable to the Board for the proper discharge of their functions and for the decisions and actions that they undertake in this context.  

FHI staff and co-workers shall fully respect the human rights, dignity and worth of all persons and shall act with understanding, tolerance, sensitivity, and respect for diversity, and without discrimination of any kind. While it values and protects the expression of personal views and convictions, FHI will not allow any communication in its name or as part of its activities to contravene values of human dignity and equality. 

FHI works with full transparency and procures independent accounting and financial control to ensure that its activities are fully compliant with the laws of Norway, the European Union (EU) /the European Economic Area (EEA) and its countries of operation. 

II. Professional integrity 

FHI strives to be transparent and to uphold the highest standard of professional integrity and quality in its different lines of activity. FHI staff and co-workers shall abstain from the following: 

• Involvement in any form of corruption or bribery, whether directly or through intermediaries, is unacceptable and prohibited by law. This prohibition includes facilitation payments. 

• The receipt of gifts, hospitality or expenses that are intended to affect the outcome of specific business transactions are considered a violation of this Code. Gifts, hospitality and expenses shall be modest and in line with acceptable legal and cultural practices.  

•  Financial or other transactions that directly or indirectly could give rise to questions regarding FHI’s integrity and impartiality. 

FHI staff and co-workers shall proactively and fully disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest to FHI Management and Board, in cases where such conflicts of interests occur, who will immediately take appropriate corrective action. 

FHI shall, in accordance with Norwegian, EU, and EEA legal requirements for data protection, protect any proprietary or confidential information that has been entrusted to it. FHI shall not disclose any private information that is not relevant to public interest to third parties without authorisation.  

III. Workplace and environment 

FHI strives to create a safe, healthy, and inclusive workplace, and to have a positive environmental footprint. Specifically: 

 • FHI respects and promotes diversity and gender equality in all its work communities. FH does not tolerate discrimination based on gender, race, age, religion, disability, nationality, ethnic origin or sexual orientation. 

 • FHI follows relevant national employment legislation and international labour standards expressed in the Core Conventions of the International Labour Organisation. Where these differ, the higher standard shall apply.  

• FHI considers unacceptable any act of harassment, including any unwelcome verbal or physical behaviour that interferes with work or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment, including sexual harassment. 

 • FHI seeks to establish environmental consciousness and to protect the environment in its internal business and in the delivery of its services. FH is committed to an effective environmental policy and complies with existing legislation and regulations regarding the protection of the environment. 

IV. Complaints and whistleblowing 

FHI seeks to prevent and oppose unethical and illegal conduct and to provide protection from retribution to those who report such conduct. Specifically: 

• FHI staff and co-workers shall report any unethical or illegal behaviour or action witnessed in the context of their work to the FHI Board and, when appropriate, to legal authorities. 

• FHI staff and co-workers are encouraged to report to the FHI Board any infringement to the principles and rules enacted in this Code of Conduct and to applicable laws of Norway that they have witnessed in the context of their work. 

• FHI investigates any misconduct attributed to its staff or associates by discussing with all involved parties. Upon the investigation, FHI’s Board takes proportionate actions to sanction confirmed cases of misconduct.