The Ethify Value Set

People live along different values. The more diverse the more tolerance we need to invest to get along. Historically, there have been repeated attempts to teach values, by fiat, conventions and basic laws.  Companies go through so-called corporate image processes to define their value systems. Various crises have provoked calls for a global debate on values. The Ethify values represent a reasonable lifestyle, free from any denomination.

Ethical behavior strengthens communities, shows respect for the earth and gives meaning to our lives. The Ethify value catalog offers a current orientation and training for everyday life, for business or organizations. Derived from human rights, bid values and virtues, we have distilled nine, with a claim to validity for a broad culture.

Justice comes first, because it is a basic prerequisite for a peaceful coexistence. The achievements of the French Revolution with the separation of powers between the legislative, judicial and executive branch apply to all cultures as an accepted set of rules to prevent conflicts. But even outside of the influence of laws, we are always called on us to engage in nonviolent communication. Number two is the value of prudence. We circumspect what the earth produces, and take care of environment, flora and fauna. We try to live and work resource-friendly and ensure that natural balances are kept intact, whether the global climate, the fish stock or water quality. Only with circumspection, we achieve a life in balance. Life is not only for work, as there are many other areas to get and give attention. With self-confidence, knowledge and experience everybody should re-focus his or her goals from time to time. Who lives with ethical self-determination will also be self-righteous, happy with the own life and a role model for others. This is not achieved by withdrawing from social life, but through fairness and cooperation with others. To achieve this, discipline is also needed when it comes to keep to agreements. On the other hand, interaction among people must carry tolerance and kindness. Again and again I have to practice to share and pass on something from me, whether things, concern, or knowledge and experience. In our activities we are also committed to obtaining satisfaction: what other goal has the economy as to serve as  a framework for as many people as possible to lead a fulfilling life? Still, we have to keep on searching for our own happiness, we have to ask repeatedly what will mean satisfaction to us. Success with good personal relationships is proven to provide contentedness. My freedoms and the enjoyment of one's own satisfaction, however, have its limits, where they are at the expense of others. We will not further be blinded by those who promise us happiness every day, such as in advertising through consumption of things or services that promise only brief pleasure. Often a decision is sustainable if we train ourselves in patience and time to invest than promises and slogans of chasing quickly. This does not mean that fun is odd, because spontaneous joy and the ability to enjoy are part of your happiness. Nevertheless, we must daily be patient with ourselves and dealing with other people and actively communicate. A seemingly bad behavior is rarely intended, but usually the result of circumstances that we should look in detail than to react with judgments or prejudice.

On the following pages, the nine Ethify values are described and explained with some exercises for individuals, organizations and companies, products and services and public administration.

Justice

Commitment to tackle inequality, unjustness, and injustice with peaceful means.

Exercises for People

Recognize disadvantageos behaviour, display moral courage, or help to enforce rights for minorities or the public. Examples: (Re-)Gain access to a lake, create public places or give more room to pedestrians.

Guidelines for organization / company

Equal treatment for all. Constituional law applies as a framework, offer fair terms or conditions, not changeable without notification, with an arbitration dispute resolution.

Guidelines of product / service

Laws, animal rights and worker protection are respected. Respect unions in countries of origin within the supply chain. Minimum wages and taxes are paid.

Guidelines for region / city / state

Democratic and transparent rules of decisions at all levels, understand laws and regulations, making visible the public budget, intact justice, fight against corruption. Measures for the protection of minorities and equal opportunities.

Prudence

Respect for the environment, humans and animals. Consciously enjoy without harming and only consume what is really necessary.

Exercises for People

Avoid using a car or airplane and leave any place as it was before (or more beautiful). Cook with fresh ingredients and eat little or no meat. Avoid producing waste, try to compost and repair, whenever possible.

Guidelines for organization / company

Procurement is carbon neutral, organic, humanely, sustainable, landscape-friendly. Activity is resource-saving, recycling-oriented, tries to reuse, and is based on an organic growth, which needs not be continuous.

Guidelines for product / service

Minimal use of resources, recyclable, easy or no packaging, biodegradable. Fossil fuels or nuclear power are not used or avoided.

Guidelines for region / city / state

Procurement is regional, climate-neutral, sustainable, takes care on organic landscape. Active Energy Policy for independence from fossil fuels and nuclear power. Traffic areas are made more human-oriented, with plenty of space for cyclists and pedestrians.

Balance

Be active in several aspects of life. Try to apply the principle of 4in1: equal amount of time and energy to spend on a) employment, b) care work, c) in culture, sport and education, and d) in shaping your environment.

Exercises for People

Avoid work overload, use your time also to clean up yourself, to take care of children, for reading, blogging, making music. Participate in a committee of the municipal council or a be active in a non-profit association. Keep your body fit.

Guidelines for organization / company

Attention is not only put on work and economy, but also to other areas of life equally. Participation rights are anchored in an organizational statute.  Allow a balance in life for employees or business partners whenever possible.

Guidelines for product / service

The product or service promotes balance in life and not unilaterally draws energy and attention, so that other areas have to be neglected.

Guidelines for region / city / state

Respects and promotes the opportunity to develop inhabitants in all areas of life. Designed and provides a framework for work, leisure, activities with children, old people, culture and sport and encourages involvement in politics or in an honorary capacity.

Self-determination

Set goals and pursue them to self-chosen paths. Sometimes explore limits, without being arrogant or others' freedoms to be restricted. Relish act, but also take on responsibility.

Exercises for People

Have fun in motion, promote your own health, body awareness without excessive shame. Express yourself: in designing, dancing, making music, overcoming internal boundaries and exploring. You may be exuberant or excessive by trying to reach limits. Internal growth is possible and important. Trust your own way, but also be prepared to change directions, if you have clear arguments for it. Our own freedom ends where others limit our actions. Be prepared to render your account anytime.

Guidelines for organization / company

Activities are goal oriented, committed, clear, efficient, build on talents that will be promoted individually. Organization is communicative, transparent and will not overdo it. Products and services are offered at reasonable prices. Operation takes responsibility for employees, suppliers and customers.

Guidelines for product / service

Demonstrate willingness for change and optimize the product, service or process repeatedly. Get on the market as competition forces you to innovate. Show responsibility by allowing the possibility of exchanging the product, in a generous time limit.

Guidelines for region / city / state

Promotes individual development opportunities. Offers good infrastructure and shows that profile. Actively intervenes in the planning and avoids, for example, urban sprawl. Reports actively the accounts of public investment.

Cooperation

Cooperation, solidarity and transparency are paying off. Take care on reliability, collegiality, friendship and partnerships.

Exercises for People

Make decisions by consensus, meet sgreed deadlines and report in time if you are in danger to fail. Caring for colleagues, partners and friends and be a tolerant and loving partner.

Guidelines for organization / company

Maintaining a cooperative and respectful interaction, clear communication, fair decision-making, agreements are kept, show solidarity.

Guidelines of product / service

Promotes cooperation, democratic structures, respect, reliability, transparent decisions. Try coopetition as a combination of stimulating competition and cooperation.

Guidelines for region / city / state

Promotes cooperation, democratic governance at all levels, mutual respect, reliability, transparent decisions, invitation to participate. Builds bridges between cultures and generations.

Fairness

Behave appropriately, honestly and respectfully. Be not blinded, either by people, things, or media.

Exercises for People

Be fair, ask questions, set limits. Relinquish fashion, gadgets and objects of prestige, especially if they were not produced fair.

Guidelines for organization / company

Do not make empty promises. Offers should not be intrusive, but demand-oriented, honest and fair. No financial speculation and no distribution of profits to those who already have enough.

Guidelines of product / service

Dispense aggressive advertising, the product or service does not impose itself. Ensure fair working conditions and price. Trade margin is not excessive. Ingredients and origin are clearly visible, terms of use are understandable.

Guidelines for region / city / state

Taxes are used efficiently. Civil service is offered with high quality, people-centered.

Satisfaction

Recognizing those many little things that can make you happy at the moment, each day and for life. Pass on recognition and attention.

Exercises for People

Try to have a short walk every day, enjoy nature, build or cook something with your own hands, consciously listening to music, get in touch with a friend.

Guidelines for organization / company

High quality services or products or services that promise a positive effect, but must not end with a rude awakening.

Guidelines of product / service

Support satisfaction without having to first create new needs and helps to keep the individual demands moderate.

Guidelines for region / city / state

Measures success by the satisfaction of the population and not just by economical numbers.

Goodness

Share knowledge, values, experience and ownership.

Exercises for People

Give, then you get! A smile, a glass of water, a book, a recipe. A photo gift, offer a cup of tea, invite someone to dinner. Organize a reading for immigrants, a play for kids, a party, a sports event or a visit to a workshop. Those who can, also gladly pay more taxes for a good infrastructure for the community and for social justice.

Guidelines for organization / company

Activities are generous, cooperative and open. Showing social commitment internally and externally.

Guidelines of product / service

Products and services are affordable for minorities and the needy. Modifications of the products and services by the customer are possible and allowed. Fair replacement and repair conditions.

Guidelines for region / city / state

Well-developed social system, with pension and health insurance.  Supports the needy and refugees and offers immigration permits. Processes for decisions are made public, and cultural heritage accessible.

Patience

Devote time for yourself, children, relatives, or somebody who is sick.

Exercises for People

Take a walk with someone. Give someone an hour and listen to only. Whenever you feel sick or catching a cold, reduce your activities and be patient in recovery. Think about when shopping, whether you really need a new product, whether you want to maintain and clean it.

Guidelines for organization / company

Quality is a priority and each activity is customer-oriented, allwoing feedback and offeirng follow-up. The disadvantaged people are integrated and served. Anyone who is sick is allwoed to stay at home to recuperate.

Guidelines of product / service

A product or service is not marketed just for impulsive purchases, it is of high quality and is designed for long life. Allow to (let) it repair, which is saving resources and is creating local jobs.

Guidelines for region / city / state

Policies do not only think in election cycles, but in generations. Public goods such as water will not be privatized, even if a short term gain could be achieved. Social institutions are equipped to allow people who are restricted, are poor or sick are well cared for and sustained, so that they can live as self-determined as possible.

The nine Ethify values do not lead to an absolute goal, but can be practiced daily, weekly or yearly. The values do not establish a new faith and do not require membership with a religion, but can be combined with any existing denomination. They describe a lifestyle and are thus designed for people with or without active or formal relation to any religion as a guide for modern ethical behavior.