Good governance fl ows from a shared ethos or culture, as well as from systems and
structures. It cannot be reduced to a set of rules, or achieved fully by compliance with a
set of requirements. This spirit or ethos of good governance can be expressed as values
and demonstrated in behaviour.
Good governance builds on the seven principles for the conduct of people in public
life that were established by the Committee on Standards in Public Life. Known as the
Nolan principles, these are: selfl essness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness,
honesty and leadership.