Re-envisioning ethics in Delaware

Delaware is not immune from conditions that impact our government and our state as it strives to conduct government business with integrity.

Global Ethics Day 2025, set for Wednesday, Oct. 15, arrives at a moment of profound global, national and local flux. The theme for 2025, Ethics Re-envisioned, is a powerful call to action. This theme urges a move beyond abstract concepts toward a pragmatic application of ethical principles.

In this reimagining, ethics moves from the periphery of our decisions to the very center. For too long, ethical considerations have been treated as an afterthought – a box to be checked or a regulatory hurdle to be cleared. The Ethics Re-envisioned theme urges us to understand that ethical behavior is not a compliance measure but a fundamental driver of sustainable success and societal well-being. This shift requires a reorientation of organizational and individual priorities, where integrity, transparency and accountability are treated as essential components of every action.

Delaware’s history of ethics-related incidents highlights the need for more robust government accountability and transparency. The Delaware Public Integrity Commission is the state agency responsible for promoting ethical conduct, transparency and accountability among Delaware's public officials and employees. Established as the State Ethics Commission in 1991, the PIC plays a crucial role in maintaining public trust by administering and implementing the state's ethics laws, financial disclosure requirements and lobbying regulations. The Public Integrity Commission primarily oversees the executive branch, leaving gaps in accountability for the legislative and judicial branches. This fragmented oversight and a limited authority have fueled public skepticism. Recent reform efforts, including an executive order prioritizing transparency and the legislation to create an Inspector General’s Office, are positive steps toward increasing public trust.

However, the path to fully restoring faith in state government requires more comprehensive changes than an executive order or a new organization. Lawmakers should address the lingering deficiencies highlighted by accountability advocates, such as expanding the PIC's jurisdiction and its ability to hold accountable those that violate this public trust. A state that thrives on its reputation for corporate integrity must ensure its public servants are held to equally high standards. The foundation of a healthy democracy rests on a government that is not only ethical but is perceived as ethical by its citizens. These reform efforts are a crucial opportunity to align Delaware’s government with the expectations of its people and its reputation for sound governance.

Ultimately, re-envisioning ethics is both a deeply personal and collective endeavor. It requires individuals to examine their own values and question how they can take ethical action in their daily lives. It challenges organizations to cultivate cultures of integrity where employees feel empowered to speak up for positive change. In 2025, amidst a climate of uncertainty and polarization, Global Ethics Day offers a timely and necessary opportunity. By our reexamining and recommitting to shared ethical foundations, Delawareans can begin to build a more principled and cohesive state, one thoughtful action at a time. The work of re-envisioning ethics is not a one-day event but a continuous journey toward a more just and compassionate future.