WILLEMSTAD – A lack of communication and training is emerging as one of the most consistent themes in a government-wide integrity assessment conducted by the statutory internal auditor of the Governments of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (SOAB).
The baseline scan found that while many employees know integrity policies exist, they often lack detailed knowledge of the rules, procedures, and expectations associated with them. Researchers repeatedly identified communication and training as recurring themes throughout the study.
The assessment examined awareness of integrity policies, codes of conduct, rules governing gifts, regulations on secondary employment, information security requirements, and administrative procedures. Many of these topics showed varying levels of familiarity among employees.
Researchers concluded that awareness alone is not enough. Employees must also understand how integrity policies apply to real-life situations and how they should respond when ethical dilemmas arise.
The report suggests that regular training, clearer communication, and more visible discussions about integrity could help bridge the gap between policy and practice.
Several ministries also recorded concerns about the visibility of integrity discussions and whether ethical issues are regularly addressed within teams. The findings indicate that integrity is often perceived as a policy topic rather than a daily management responsibility.
The study therefore points to a broader challenge: ensuring that integrity becomes part of the organizational culture rather than remaining confined to policy documents and regulations.