ETHICS CHARTER

Roger Milla Program

Solidarity in support of children’s health, dignity and future.

Initiated by Roger Milla, the Roger Milla Program brings citizens and partners together around the fight against noma, access to clean water and the Roger Milla Centre of Excellence hospital project in Cameroon.

This charter defines the principles that should guide our decisions, activities and communications. It provides a framework of commitment for leaders, members, volunteers and anyone acting on behalf of the Program. Partners are encouraged to respect these principles in activities undertaken together.

1. Respect every person’s dignity

Every child, family and beneficiary must be treated with respect.

We reject degrading portrayals, stigmatisation and any exploitation of suffering. The people we support have agency over their own lives; their voices and choices must be considered.

2. Protect children and vulnerable people

Children’s safety and best interests guide activities involving them.

We tolerate no violence, exploitation, abuse, intimidation or harassment. Assignments must follow appropriate instructions, with clearly defined responsibilities.

Concerns about a person’s safety must be reported and addressed promptly. In cases of immediate danger, protecting the person and contacting the appropriate services take priority.

3. Act without discrimination

Assistance is based on needs and transparent criteria, within available resources.

It must not be conditional on political, religious, ethnic or association affiliation, or on participation in our communications.

We respect beliefs, cultures and communities while rejecting practices that undermine people’s rights or safety.

4. Listen and work with local stakeholders

Projects must be developed with the people and communities concerned.

We seek cooperation with healthcare professionals, facilities, competent authorities and local organisations. We prioritise responses suited to local needs and capacities.

5. Respect professional expertise

Medical decisions and procedures are the responsibility of authorised professionals.

We do not promise admission, treatment or therapeutic outcomes without an established care framework.

Preparation of the hospital project must respect the studies, approvals and requirements necessary for its implementation and operation.

6. Use resources responsibly

Funds, equipment and time entrusted to the Program must serve the stated objectives.

Each fundraising initiative must identify its beneficiary, purpose and intended use of contributions. Expenditure must be authorised, justified and monitored.

We reject misappropriation, corruption and improper benefits. Financial support does not entitle anyone to preferential access to assistance.

7. Prevent conflicts of interest

Anyone participating in a decision must declare interests that could influence their judgement.

A person with a conflict of interest must withdraw from the relevant decision. Transactions involving related persons or entities must undergo independent, documented review.

8. Communicate honestly

Our communications must clearly distinguish between:

documented achievements;
activities in preparation;
projects under assessment;
mobilisation objectives and ambitions.

We do not present unconfirmed funding, partnerships or results as secured. Quotations and messages attributed to a public figure must be approved before dissemination in their name.

Identified errors must be corrected. Challenges must be explained as clearly as progress.

9. Protect privacy and respect consent

We limit the collection and use of personal data to what is necessary.

Images and testimonies are used with appropriate permissions and respect for people’s dignity. For children, their understanding and views must be considered alongside the required authorisations.

Refusing to be photographed or to provide a testimony must never compromise access to assistance.

10. Seek lasting impact

An initiative must be planned beyond its launch.

For clean water projects, this includes water quality, maintenance, repairs and local management.

For healthcare projects, it includes continuity of care, staff expertise, cooperation and the resources needed for operation.

Environmental impacts must also be considered in implementation choices.

11. Respect volunteers and teams

Everyone involved must understand their assignment, responsibilities and limits of intervention.

We promote a respectful environment, free from harassment and undue pressure. Training, safety and recognition of contributions form part of this commitment.

No one should be encouraged to act beyond their competence or in dangerous conditions.

12. Choose partnerships consistent with our mission

Partnerships must be compatible with the Program’s mission and principles.

They must specify contributions, responsibilities, use of names and images, and monitoring arrangements.

A partnership must not compromise independent decisions concerning beneficiaries or turn their circumstances into a promotional tool.

13. Enable reporting and accountability

Everyone must be able to raise a concern, complaint or suspected breach.

Reports are examined impartially and discreetly. No retaliation is permitted against anyone raising a concern in good faith.

Internal handling does not replace referral to competent authorities where necessary.

General reporting contact:
contact@rogermilla-program.org

Independent reporting channel for concerns involving management:contact@rogermilla-program.org

14. Put this charter into practice

The charter is communicated to those concerned and included in the induction of members, volunteers and contributors.

Breaches are examined in accordance with the statutes, internal regulations and applicable procedures, respecting the rights of those involved.

Its implementation should be reviewed regularly to improve practices.

Every gesture counts. How we act matters too.