We take a values-led approach — our partners and projects must align with our values: determined, collaborative, ethical, creative, and inclusive. We assess opportunities by the positive change they can deliver. When and where our work might contribute to progress, we proceed. When risks need control, we proceed with conditions. When our values would be undermined, a non-negotiable exclusion is confirmed or a minimum ethical threshold isn't passed, we decline.
How decisions are made, using this framework:
- ✅ Accept: completely align with our values; very likely to deliver positive impact.
- ⚠️ Conditional: there are some concerns, we might proceed but safeguards and extra due diligence.
- ⛔ Decline: risk of producing harm or does not pass minimum ethical theshold.
Principles:
- Evidence over opinions: use the best available evidence and link sources.
- Rights are non-negotiable: some harms end the process
- The communities we serve come first: decisions consider those affected by the project
This Ethics Assessment Tool must be used systematically to ensure consistent, values-based decision-making. When in doubt, use the tool. It's designed to support decision-making, not create barriers. Quick assessments for clearly aligned partners are perfectly valid. It is required in the following situations:
Always Required:
- All potential new client relationships, before any commitment or proposal development
- Existing clients proposing work in new sectors, with new stakeholders, or involving significantly different activities
- When project scope, purpose, or end-users change substantially during execution
- Annual review of ongoing client relationships as part of strategic planning
Triggered by concerns:
- Any team member raises ethical questions about a client, project, or partnership
- Following negative media coverage, legal action, regulatory investigation, or public controversy involving a client
- When work involves sensitive data, vulnerable populations, children, or public interest issues
- Projects with potential for misuse, dual applications, or unintended consequences
- When clients request unusual confidentiality, limit transparency, or restrict our communication about the work
Context-dependent:
- High-profile projects that could significantly impact Here I Am's reputation
- Work that could influence policy, set industry standards, or create legal precedents
- Projects involving AI, surveillance technology, or data that could affect civil liberties
- Partnerships where our work might be licensed, shared, or used by unknown third parties
- When clients request unusual confidentiality, limit transparency, or restrict our communication about the work
When not to use it:
- Routine renewals of established, well-understood partnerships with no scope changes
- Work for established charitable partners
- Clearly mission-aligned work where all team members agree there are no ethical concerns