The Ethics in Government Training Program was updated last May by Public Law 36-25, requiring that all government of Guam employees receive ethics training within six months of their employment or within 36 months of the law’s enactment and also requires employees to take a refresher course every four years. 

The Guam Ethics Commission is tasked with ensuring all employees of the government of Guam obtain training focused on Guam statutes concerning ethics, to include topics such as gifting, conflicts of interest, fiduciary responsibility, lobbying, open government law, procurement, and the Sunshine Reform Act. 

“I am thankful for this partnership with the university and the opportunity the agreement provides. Having workshops available weekly will be essential in supporting the goal of having all government employees trained in ethics,” said Shannon Murphy, chairwoman of the Guam Ethics Commission. 

The Good Governance and Leadership Ethics Network is composed of public and private sector professors and practitioners with backgrounds in law and public policy and with experience conducting ethics training in Guam over the past 10 years. The network was established last year under the Division of Public Administration and Legal Studies at the university with the aims of strengthening best practices at all levels of government throughout the region through specialized workshops, research, and community service activities. 

“Ethical behavior is promoted through both legal rules and regulations and through individuals’ adherence to ethical standards of behavior that extend beyond the law,” said Annette T. Santos, dean of the UOG School of Business and Public Administration. “We hope that this partnership will result in increased awareness of government employees’ duty as true civil servants and the need to conduct themselves with the highest level of integrity.” 

The workshops are available a weekly basis through Sept. 30. Persons who wish to enroll in a training or have questions about the Ethics in Government Training Program are encouraged to contact the Guam Ethics Commission at (671) 969-5625 or ethics@dma.guam.gov.