VICAIT Code of Ethics

 

CODE OF ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

Vietnamese Canadian IT Professionals Association (VICAIT)

Mission Statement

This Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct establishes the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and social responsibility to which all members of the Association of Vietnamese Canadian IT Professionals (VICAIT) commit. These principles shall guide the behavior and decisions of every member in their service to the public, clients, employers, colleagues, and in upholding the honor of the IT profession.

I. Duty to Public and Society (Public Interest)

Principle 1.1: Prioritize Public Welfare

  • Responsibility: Members must use their IT skills and knowledge for the benefit of society, and the health, safety, and general welfare of the Canadian public and the global Vietnamese community.

  • Conduct:

    • Proactively seek to minimize any negative impacts of technological solutions on people, the environment, and society.

    • Immediately disclose any risks that threaten health, safety, or fundamental rights to relevant parties and authorities.

Principle 1.2: Legal Compliance and Respect for Diversity

  • Responsibility: Adhere to all applicable laws, regulations, and professional standards in force across federal, provincial, and municipal jurisdictions in Canada.

  • Conduct:

    • Practice non-discrimination and impartiality, avoiding bias based on race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, economic status, or national origin (including Vietnamese heritage).

    • Respect diverse cultural and social values within Canada’s multicultural environment.

II. Duty to Clients and Employers

Principle 2.1: Competence and Diligence

  • Responsibility: Provide services honestly, responsibly, and only perform work within the bounds of your professional expertise and competence.

  • Conduct:

    • Ensure that all IT products or services delivered meet agreed-upon standards of quality and security.

    • Provide truthful and non-exaggerated estimates and assessments regarding time, cost, and project risks.

Principle 2.2: Confidentiality and Privacy

  • Responsibility: Strictly protect the confidentiality of personal information, client/employer data, and proprietary information.

  • Conduct:

    • Do not disclose, use, or permit the use of confidential information without explicit consent, except when required by law or when there is a risk of harm to the public (per Principle 1.1).

    • Design and build systems that respect and protect user privacy.

Principle 2.3: Conflict of Interest

  • Responsibility: Avoid all situations that could lead to a conflict of interest between personal gains, Association interests, and the interests of clients or employers.

  • Conduct:

    • Transparently and promptly disclose any real or potential conflicts of interest to the affected parties.

III. Duty to the Profession and Colleagues

Principle 3.1: Integrity and Honesty

  • Responsibility: Maintain the highest levels of integrity and honesty in all professional interactions.

  • Conduct:

    • Do not misrepresent your own or others’ qualifications, experience, or capabilities.

    • Ensure that all public statements regarding IT matters are objective, truthful, and based on factual evidence.

Principle 3.2: Continuous Professional Development

  • Responsibility: Continuously enhance knowledge, skills, and understanding of new standards, technologies, and regulations within the IT field.

  • Conduct:

    • Actively participate in Continuous Professional Development (CPD) activities.

    • Mentor and support others (especially junior professionals and new members) in raising their professional competency.

Principle 3.3: Supportive and Respectful Spirit

  • Responsibility: Maintain a positive and supportive relationship with fellow members within the VICAIT community.

  • Conducts:

    • Provide fair attribution and credit for the work, ideas, and accomplishments of colleagues.

    • Review the work of colleagues objectively and fairly, avoiding unfounded or ill-considered criticism.

IV. Personal and Cultural Responsibility

Principle 4.1: Maintain Personal Integrity

  • Responsibility: Act responsibly in your private life so as not to damage the honor and reputation of the profession and the Association.

  • Conduct:

    • Respect intellectual property rights, including software copyrights, patents, and trade secrets. Do not engage in piracy or intellectual property infringement.

Principle 4.2: Promote Vietnamese-Canadian Values

  • Responsibility: Actively contribute to building cultural and professional bridges between the Vietnamese community and Canadian society.

  • Conduct:

    • Encourage and support new immigrant members in integrating into the Canadian professional workplace.

    • Demonstrate integrity, transparency, and discipline—values highly regarded in both Canadian and Vietnamese cultures.