To: All UNICEF Staff

From: Karin Sham Po
Deputy Executive irector


Personal Use of UNICEF's Information Technology Systems


A recent routine review of the use of UNICEF's computer systems suggests that personal use of these systems has become unacceptably high. I feel it is worth reminding ourselves of some straightforward principles in this regard.

UNICEF's information technology systems -- including, for example, our telephone system, e-mail capacity, and access to the Worldwide Web - exist exclusively for the conduct of UNICEF's business. We have no objection to limited personal use, within appropriate limits. Such limited use should not interfere with our business needs or compete with the limited time we have to do our work. More importantly, personal use of communication tools must not violate the high standards of conduct expected of all of us in the international civil service, and should in no way, bring disrepute to UNICEF. This should require no more than good common sense. We do, however, plan to issue more elaborate written guidelines to make clear what forms of personal use are clearly unacceptable. In the case of the Internet this includes, obviously, access to sites dedicated to pornography, gambling, illegal activities, or sites promoting intolerance or violence. Such conduct is offensive to the principles enshrined in the standards of conduct expected of -- and agreed to by -- us all when we become part of UNICEF.

Please note that use of UNICEF's computer svstems is not private. Both e-mail and browsing the Internet are subject to review by UNICEF management, and a record is provided which links individual uses with the sites accessed. This is part of the inherent nature of the technology.

Communication systems are provided to help us all do our jobs properly and efficiently. Excessive personal use slows other users, detracts from work time, consumes supplies, and ties up shared resources. I know I can count on all of you to act responsibly when using the organization's communication tools in order to maximize productivity and contain costs.

Thank you for your attention to this very important matter.