Ethics and Integrity
Public interest Innovation, Governed by Swiss-level Standards
At eSHIFT Partner Network, we believe that ethics and integrity are at the heart of everything we do — they guide our structure, governance, and how we work together around the world.
As a Swiss non-profit association (Verein), eSHIFT is here to support the public good through thoughtful and responsible digital health innovation. We bring together private-sector organizations, independent professionals, and institutional partners in a friendly and transparent Swiss legal framework that encourages collaboration while ensuring integrity, independence, and accountability.
Our commitment to ethical practices reflects Swiss governance values and recognizes the challenges of working in diverse global health settings — where trust, neutrality, and careful execution are key to our success.
Ethics at a Glance
A Swiss non-profit association bringing together private-sector partners to serve the public interest in digital health.
Clients, funders, and institutions --- with beneficiaries always at the centre
Independently, transparently, and in compliance with Swiss law and international best practice.
Ethics, integrity, accountability, and respect for local contexts.
Through responsible partnerships that manage conflicts of interest and protect independence.
Reusable global public goods and shared intellectual assets governed beyond any single partner.
Clear governance, leadership oversight, financial transparency, and open reporting.
Our Ethical Foundation
Ethics, integrity, and compliance guide every aspect of eSHIFT’s work — from strategy and architecture through to implementation and long-term stewardship.
These principles ensure that:
- Partners collaborate responsibly, without undue influence or conflicts of interest
- Clients and donors receive independent, transparent advice and delivery
- Beneficiaries remain at the centre of all design and implementation decisions
- Public-interest assets are protected beyond any single organisation or project
Our Ethics and Integrity Programme applies to members, partners, leadership, and contributors, and is aligned with Swiss law, international best practice, and the expectations of public-sector and multilateral institutions.
The Swiss Association Model: Independence by Design
eSHIFT deliberately operates as a Swiss association because the model enables something rare and valuable:
The creation of durable, reusable global public goods and intellectual property that exist beyond individual partners, vendors, or funding cycles.
While eSHIFT is composed of private-sector organisations and professionals, the association itself:
- Operates not-for-profit
- Acts independently of commercial interests
- Exists in service of clients, funders, and ultimately beneficiaries
- May generate taxable income where required, in compliance with Swiss law, without compromising its non-profit purpose
This structure allows partners to co-create shared assets — architectures, reference implementations, standards, and tooling — that remain governed in the public interest and can be reused across countries and programmes.
Governance, Leadership, and Oversight
Ethical governance at eSHIFT is not delegated — it is led.
Our leadership team is responsible for:
- Setting and maintaining ethical standards
- Overseeing compliance with Swiss association law and applicable international obligations
- Managing conflicts of interest transparently
- Ensuring that decision-making reflects eSHIFT’s mission rather than individual or organisational gain
This oversight is reinforced through:
- Clear governance structures
- Defined roles and responsibilities
- Ongoing engagement with members and partners
- Periodic review of policies and practices
Responsible Engagement in Complex Environments
We recognise that delivering results in global health often involves:
- Fragile systems
- Constrained institutional capacity
- High political, financial, and ethical risk
In these environments, eSHIFT professionals are expected to model:
- Disciplined and compliant delivery
- Respect for local institutions and sovereignty
- Transparency in funding, decision-making, and outcomes
- Long-term stewardship over short-term optimisation
Integrity is essential not only for compliance — but for sustainability, trust, and impact.
Recognition and Public Accountability
eSHIFT Partner Network is recognised by StiftungSchweiz as a Swiss non-profit association contributing to global good.
As a global digital health actor and integrator, we work with:
- Global public digital infrastructure
- Open standards and interoperable systems
- Governments, donors, and multilateral organisations
This recognition reflects our commitment to ethical conduct, transparency, and responsible innovation — and reinforces our accountability to the public interest.
Compliance with Swiss Law
eSHIFT operates in accordance with the Swiss Civil Code (ZGB) and applicable regulatory requirements, including:
- Proper governance and member oversight
- Financial transparency and accountability
- Appropriate taxation where applicable
- Accurate documentation and reporting
Compliance is treated as a baseline — not a ceiling — for ethical conduct.
Speaking Up and Raising Concerns
Integrity depends on openness.
We encourage anyone — partners, clients, contributors, or external stakeholders — to raise concerns or ask questions related to ethics or compliance.
- Email: ethics@eshift.org
- Confidential Speak Up Platform: Anonymous reporting available, with country selection and translation support
All reports are reviewed carefully and handled in a manner consistent with Swiss legal requirements and our commitment to fairness, confidentiality, and non-retaliation.
Our Commitment
At eSHIFT Partner Network, ethics and integrity are essential to our mission.
They enable us to:
- Serve the public interest credibly
- Protect shared global digital health assets
- Balance collaboration with independence
- Deliver lasting impact beyond individual projects or organisations
By grounding our work in Swiss governance principles and global best practice, we aim to set a benchmark for ethical, accountable innovation in digital health.