Codes of Ethics/Conduct for Computer Societies: The Experience of IFIP

Remembering the debates started in 1988 within IFIP (International Federation for Information ProcessingErreur! Signet non défini.) about a suggested international 'Code of Ethics' (or/and of Conduct?), lessons may be derived in terms of ways of building up a code, as well as in terms of claims of respect for cultural, social and legal environments. Further steps such as the recommendations of IFIP 1994 General Assembly may also enlighten us as to how the members of an international Ethics Network need to act and support each other in creating 'spaces for discussion' where the ethical debate is permanently promoted and supported.