Ethical Charter

Ethical Charter


The Ethical Charter and the Social Projects are statutory documents outlining the key objectives of the Union des Secours Bouddhiques, for which affiliated Secours Bouddhiques will receive support. Aside from these USB statutory documents, the activities of each Secours Bouddhique remain under their own initiative.


The Ethical Charter is a reference document setting out all the ethical principles that the Union and its member SB associations must uphold in all circumstances.

Preamble


The Union des Secours Bouddhiques (USB) was born of the desire to create a synergy among the various local Secours Bouddhiques in order to provide them with additional support in their activities. This Charter defines the vision, the purpose, the fundamental principles and the values that guide our collective action. It serves as Internal Rules pending the drafting of a specific document at a later stage, should this prove necessary.

Vision

The vision of the Union of Buddhist Relief Organizations is founded on the universal human values of solidarity, mutual assistance, and cooperation. Wisdom and compassion, as a common basis shared by all schools of the Buddha Shakyamuni tradition, form its core. The ethical and spiritual vision of the USB is universalist; it recognizes unity within the diversity of all authentic humanist and/or religious traditions. Its spirit is one of non-dogmatic openness, altruism, non-violence, non-sectarianism, and impartiality. Buddhist Relief services are open to all people of goodwill without discrimination, regardless of their beliefs.

Purpose


The living tradition of Buddhism in its many aspects has been part of our environment for nearly half a century, inspiring the sympathy or commitment of hundreds of thousands of people, and fully contributing to the diversity and ethical and spiritual richness of society. Today, this presence of the qualities of the Buddha’s tradition within the social fabric naturally calls for the emergence of a “Secours Bouddhique” (Buddhist Relief) type of organisation. The assistance that these services will be able to provide to people in need is thus an expression of Buddhist engagement within society.


Article 1: Object

The mission of the Union des Secours Bouddhiques is to:

  • Federate and coordinate the actions of local Secours Bouddhiques
  • Promote mutual aid and the sharing of experience among member associations
  • Strengthen the effectiveness of aid initiatives for people in need
  • Develop a skills network to serve the most underprivileged

Article 2: Fundamental Values

Our actions are guided by the following values:

  • Unity in diversity across all humanist and religious traditions
  • Altruistic compassion and non-violent kindness toward all beings
  • Respect for human dignity
  • Non-discrimination
  • Active solidarity
  • Ethics and transparency in our actions

Article 3: Commitments of Member Associations

Each member association undertakes to:

  • Accepting the commitments specified in the USB Articles of Association
  • Contribute to the Social Project
  • Respect the principles and values set out in this Charter
  • Participate actively in the mutual aid network
  • Share its experiences and good practices
  • Maintain regular communication with the USB
  • Work in a spirit of cooperation and benevolence.

Article 4 : Priority Areas of Action

As an initial step, the USB shall focus its efforts on the “Housing” Social Project, which is part of the statutory documents to which the Departmental Secours Bouddhiques are affiliated. See the document “Social Project: Housing”.

The USB shall therefore concentrate its efforts on :

1. Housing Assistance

  • Finding accommodation solutions
  • Supporting access to housing
  • Mediation with landlords

2. Development of a Skills Network

  • Legal
  • Social
  • Administrative
  • Professional

Article 5: Network Operation

The USB undertakes to :

  • Organise regular meetings between member associations
  • Implement effective communication tools
  • Facilitate the sharing of resources and skills
  • Coordinate joint actions
  • Represent collective interests before public bodies

Article 6: Membership

To become a member of the USB, an association must:

  • Be legally established
  • Adhere to the values and principles of this Charter
  • Be actively engaged in helping people in need
  • Participate regularly of the network

Article 7: Ethics and Transparency

Member associations undertake to:

  • Respect the ethics of universal human values
  • Comply with the applicable legislative framework
  • Act in a non-violent and disinterested manner
  • Guarantee the confidentiality of sensitive information
  • Report regularly on their actions
  • Use resources in a responsible and transparent manner

Article 8: Amendment of the Charter

This Charter may be amended to adapt to the evolving needs of the USB and its members, in accordance with the procedures defined in the Articles of Association of the USB.