SCCE hosts successful European Ethics and Compliance Institute in Lisbon
The Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE) hosted its annual European Ethics and Compliance Institute (ECEI) in Lisbon, Portugal, attracting approximately 300 compliance professionals from various backgrounds and countries. Although rain dampened the usual sunny atmosphere of the city, attendees engaged enthusiastically in an array of educational sessions and networking opportunities, fostering an environment ripe for exchanging innovative ideas and building professional connections.
Mary Shirley, a columnist for Corporate Compliance Insights, attended the event and remarked on the event's unique nature. "One of my favourite things about this conference is that the whole thing feels like an assembly of the United Nations," she stated. Attendees often found themselves at tables with colleagues from different nationalities, demonstrating a rich diversity that contributed to a multifaceted discussion surrounding compliance challenges and solutions.
A primary theme that resonated strongly throughout the conference was the measurement of corporate culture, particularly concerning ethics and integrity. This focus is a continuation of a trend seen over the last five years, as compliance professionals evolve in their approaches to fostering integrity within their organisations. Shirley noted that for those not yet considering these cultural elements, a "culture of integrity survey" could be a beneficial first step. She suggested conveying this survey within existing employee engagement initiatives, a method that could mitigate potential fatigue associated with excessive survey participation.
AI governance also occupied a significant place on the agenda this year. Attendees showcased a growing understanding of the responsibility that compliance professionals bear in mitigating AI risks, albeit primarily in a supportive capacity, as IT departments frequently spearhead such initiatives. "AI, it seems, is not an area where we need to fight for a seat at the table; we’re being welcomed to it from the start," Shirley observed, suggesting a positive evolution for the role of ethics and compliance professionals in technical domains.
In contrast to previous years, sessions focused on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) themes were notably fewer at this year's conference. Shirley pointed to a singular major session on ESG, speculating that this reduction may indicate a shift in priorities among compliance officers, possibly facilitated by the establishment of dedicated teams for sustainability and human rights within various organisations.
As the conference wrapped up, participants left with a wealth of information and connections that could bolster their respective compliance programmes. Shirley highlighted the importance of active participation during sessions, recommending that attendees adopt a journalistic mindset to enhance their conference experience. She advised focusing on note-taking with the intention of sharing insights through articles, which could further disseminate knowledge within the compliance community.
With another successful ECEI concluded, the SCCE reiterated its commitment to nurturing collaboration and understanding among compliance professionals, who collectively strive toward the common goal of bolstering ethics and integrity across diverse sectors. As these practitioners head back to their organisations, they carry with them fresh perspectives and strategies to implement, contributing to the gradual evolution of the compliance profession in an ever-changing landscape.