The Week of Integrity was created to emphasize the importance of integrity in both personal and professional life. In today’s world, where ethical breaches and corruption can have far-reaching consequences, integrity serves as the foundation of trust. This trust is essential for healthy relationships, effective governance, and sustainable development. Now more than ever, promoting integrity is vital to fostering long-term success across all sectors.

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How It Works

The Week of Integrity is a collaborative initiative, bringing together businesses, NGOs, educational institutions, and government agencies to host events and discussions that promote ethical practices. Throughout the year, participants engage in networking events, training sessions, workshops, and public seminars that inspire meaningful conversations about integrity.

 

Here’s what to expect:

Year-Round Activities:

• Networking Events & Trainings: Build connections and share best practices in ethics and integrity.

• Educational Workshops and Seminars: Learn practical tools to strengthen ethical behavior in organizations.
   

During the Week of Integrity (December 9–13, 2024):

• Opening Event – December 9th: Join us for a special hybrid event in collaboration with Transparency International, where we will unveil the results of TI’s research on organizational culture. This insightful session will shed light on why integrity must be a discussion topic at all levels within organizations. This event will be held both in person at the Malietoren in The Hague and online, allowing broad participation.

• December 10th – Special Event at the Amsterdam Stock Exchange: The Week of Integrity will have the unique opportunity to open the stock exchange at the Amsterdam Beurs. This symbolic gesture underscores the importance of integrity within financial markets and beyond.
   

Partner-Driven Activities:

• Public Panel Discussions: Experts share insights on integrity across industries.

• Internal Workshops: Equip your team with tools for ethical decision-making and compliance.

• Awareness Campaigns & Webinars: Virtual sessions focusing on integrity across industries.

• Integrity Pledges: Encourage employees and stakeholders to commit to ethical practices.

• All activities will be published on our website as soon as they become available. 

• International Integrity Conference – Building a Future of Integrity, December 13, 2024
   

Held in The Hague, this year’s conference focuses on the theme “Integrity in Sustainability,” with keynotes, panel discussions, and workshops exploring the role of integrity in driving sustainable development. Attendees will connect with leaders in compliance, sustainability, and ethics, and learn how integrity can drive long-term success.

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A Collaborative Success at the Week of Integrity Partner Meeting

On September 26th, Evofenedex hosted an event in anticipation of the Week of Integrity, to be held between the 9th and 13th of December, which provided a platform for sharing key insights and tested innovative tools to promote ethical business practices. This gathering marked a significant milestone, with presentations from Evofenedex and Siemens Nederland, as well as an introduction to the Week of Integrity Toolkit and the highly anticipated integrity-focused game. The game, which will be fully released in November, was previewed during the event, providing attendees with an engaging way to reflect on ethical decision-making.

 

Evofennedex: Strategic Priorities and Ethical Dilemmas in Trade and Logistics

As the host of the event, Evofennedex presented on their core focus areas of internationalisation, sustainability, and digitalization, while also posing a series of real-world ethical dilemmas that businesses face today. These dilemmas sparked critical thinking on how companies can align profitability with sustainability, navigate complex legal frameworks, and balance transparency with protecting their reputation. 

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Key Dilemmas Presented:

1. Profitability vs Sustainability

Evofennedex emphasized that while sustainability is becoming essential for long-term viability, it often leads to additional costs. Businesses face pressure to invest in sustainable practices, but the question remains:

• Can companies afford these investments, especially when faced with competitive disadvantages due to administrative costs or shareholder demands?

• Will higher costs for social improvements increase wages and, ultimately, affect a company’s ability to stay profitable?
   

2. Impact vs Compliance

In an increasingly regulated global landscape, compliance with complex la
ws often distracts from focusing on creating a positive social or environmental impact. Evofennedex pointed out the risk of businesses slipping into “paper compliance”—where the focus is on meeting the letter of the law rather than making a meaningful impact.

How can businesses ensure they are truly making an impact rather than merely avoiding risks or following regulations, especially in high-risk regions and complex supply chains?
 

3. Transparency vs Reputation

While transparency fosters trust and opens doors for greater cooperation, disclosing too much information can harm a company’s reputation, scare away stakeholders, and even attract lawsuits or stricter regulatory inspections.

Is there a way for businesses to be transparent without risking their reputation or inviting legal or regulatory scrutiny?

These dilemmas sparked engaging discussions among attendees, who shared their perspectives on balancing these often conflicting priorities. Evofennedex’s presentation underscored that integrity in decision-making is crucial as businesses navigate these complex challenges.

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Siemens Nederland: Ethics & Sustainability in Action

Siemens Nederland followed with a presentation on their ethics and sustainability initiatives, further reinforcing the need for responsible decision-making. Siemens showcased their DEGREE framework, which sets ambitious targets for decarbonization, resource efficiency, and governance, demonstrating how technology and sustainability can go hand in hand. Siemens also stressed the importance of digital twin technologies in driving sustainable solutions across sectors such as healthcare and mobility.

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Key Points:

• Compliance system to ensure ethical decision-making.

• Sustainability leadership, with a goal of reaching net zero by 2030.

• Digital twin technology as a key innovation for integrating digital and physical processes for sustainability.
   

Introducing the Week of Integrity Toolkit

The Week of Integrity Toolkit was introduced as a valuable resource for fostering ethical practices within organizations. The toolkit includes:

• Integrity Game: An interactive board game designed to engage participants in navigating ethical dilemmas around the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• Integrity Dialogue: Guidelines for facilitating meaningful conversations on integrity, supported by dilemma videos provided by our partners.

• Integrity Moments: Case studies designed to prompt discussions about real-world ethical issues.

• Integrity Drinks (or pub quiz): Informal networking sessions or quizzes focused on ethics in business.
   

Game Testing: A Preview of the November Launch

Attendees were also given the opportunity to test the Integrity Game, which is set to launch in November. This interactive game challenges participants to solve real-world business dilemmas and answer critical questions, reinforcing the importance of ethical decision-making in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The game sparked engaging conversations among participants, who were highly involved in the scenarios presented.

With valuable feedback in hand, we will work to finalize this prototype and make it available for our partners before the start of the Week of Integrity.

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Looking Forward: November Partner Meeting

Looking ahead, our next partner meeting is scheduled for November 12th. This meeting will focus on finalizing the program for the Week of Integrity, sharing initiatives from partners, and receiving a presentation from Huis van Klokkenluider (Whistleblower) on promoting transparency and ethical practices. We encourage all interested partners to join us for this important session.