Why did IPOA decide to develop a Code of Conduct?
In 2001, Doug Brooks convened a meeting of local and international humanitarian groups, non-governmental organizations, and human rights lawyers, and drew up a document delineating how private companies could be best utilized in conflict and post-conflict environments. Since that time, the document has continued to be improved and enhanced through the input of dozens of international and non-governmental organizations, human rights lawyers, and scholars. Today this document is the ethical foundation of IPOA: the IPOA Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct seeks to ensure the ethical standards of IPOA member companies operating in conflict/post-conflict environments so that they may contribute their valuable services to be utilized for the benefit of international peace and human security.
