Ethics Conference

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http://hdl.handle.net/11071/3926
The Ethics Conference plays a major role in transforming leadership and governance in the East African region and brings together actors from the Public and the Private sector to share experiences and perspectives on ethical issues.

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Browsing Ethics Conference by Subject "Ethics"

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    Analyzing ethics at the university level and its effective contribution to nation-building
    (Strathmore University, 2011) Musya, Mercy; Gathua, Peter; Ngeene, Duncan
    Education is a basic human need. Not only should it contribute to the growth of an individual’s knowledge but also their character. Education unlocks peoples’ potential and it is in this way that knowledge is power. Individuals especially in third world countries have a stereotypical view of the purpose, quality and quantity of education required as a basic foundation for life. Given the changes and developments in the world, man is coming to the realization that the basic educational system needs to be adjusted accordingly. An education system is inadequate if it teaches young people how to make a living but doesn't teach them integrity and values. The current education system in Kenya has produced a vast population knowledgeable but unable to efficiently apply that knowledge into relevant skill so as to contribute positively to nation-building. Likewise, when individuals are knowledgeable and skilled but lacking in or oblivious of the need for human dignity, education is incomplete. Therefore, various adjustments must be made to the system to increase its efficiency and this research tries to establish to what extent ethics is instilled at the University level of education. The research methods to be used will include primary methods such as one on one interviews with current and former university students and secondary techniques such as academic articles and journals. To guarantee authenticity of the data acquired a comparison will be carried out to check for consistency of the different individual opinions we receive. Also, the use of academic articles and journals as a reference will guarantee this paper’s validity. The weight of this research is basically finding out to what extent the education system at the university level promotes ethics in the society and how this plays a role of ethics in Nation Building. Based on the research, solutions and recommendations are being looked into for adjusting the university system and its curriculum in order for it to be more cogent and fulfill its purpose of turning scholars into complete beings with knowledge, wisdom, skill and dignity. The research also involves implementing one of the recommendations and describing the outcomes (positive, neutral or negative) and giving reasons based on these outcomes. Based on this experience, relevant and innovative adjustments will be made to the previous recommendations. This study is to be a conclusive and helpful contribution to the current education system; relevant and applicable in relevant institutions.
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    Ethical leadership practice: the foundation of political and economic development in Kenya.
    (Strathmore University, 2011) Minja, David
    The subject of ethical practices in Kenya has been a hot one for the last two decades. Unethical practices in organizations and at the political arena have been widely reported in the wake of many high-profile management and financial scandals. Even with the establishment of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission and laws and regulations aimed at curbing corruption, the situation has not improved significantly. Leaders are coming under increasing scrutiny because of the role they play in managing ethical conduct and modelling ethical behaviour. Failure of political leaders and executives to provide moral leadership has led to citizens being disappointed and national goals remaining largely unmet. Increasingly so, recent debates about issuance of citizenship certificates may leave many citizens disenfranchised; all of which have a major influence on political and economic development. Theory and research suggest that leaders should, and do, influence ethical behaviour. This paper explores theoretical arguments why leaders should play an important role of influencing ethical behaviour and why it is imperative for them to model the desired behaviour. The paper explores ethical practices from Aristotle’s perspective, cognitive moral development and social learning theories. This paper also tries to argue that laws alone cannot ‘convert’ the society that has developed and perfected the art of unethical practices. A new way of thinking is necessary, that will involve and empower everyone to start thinking and behaving in an ethical way. The paper therefore provides a prescriptive model of addressing ethical dilemmas in the public service in order to promote nation building. Several recommendations applicable not only to the public service but also to other Kenyan sectors have been made and it is believed that if adopted will go a long way in transforming leaders and followers into ethically responsible people who will foster nation building. The work of transformation begins with leaders who are themselves transformed and in turn mentor others to produce the desired behaviour. In this way, political and economic development in Kenya will cease to be a mirage.