EaP CSF Civil Society Summit - CODE OF CONDUCT
Unique in its size and audience, the EaP CSF Civil Society Summit (hereinafter the Summit, the event) will take place between 19 and 21 November 2024 in Vienna, Austria. The event will bring together more than 200 civil society organisations from the EaP and the EU, as well as EaP and EU decision-makers to discuss the future shape of Eastern Partnership multilateral cooperation.
We look forward to welcoming our diverse range of participants to Vienna for three days of important discussion and networking in this critical period for the Eastern Partnership region.
It is of the utmost importance that each participant has a rewarding and positive experience attending the Summit and therefore we rely on each category of participants (delegates, observers, speakers, volunteers) to help the organisers create a safe, respectful space, free of hate speech, discrimination and physical or psychological harassment.
The EaP CSF is committed to ensuring inclusive participation, where no participant - regardless of sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation - is alienated or excluded by the actions, language and attitude of others. This includes the conference-related locations and any related online activity, including on social media.
By agreeing to participate in the event, every participant commits to abide by this Code of Conduct.
Expected behaviour during the event
• Be considerate and respectful with every fellow participant;
• Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory and harassing behaviour and speech;
• Speak up if you observe anything at the event that goes against this Code of Conduct;
• If you are harassed or feel uncomfortable with the behaviour or speech of another participant, or if you notice that a fellow participant goes through a similar situation, please contact EaP CSF Co-Chairs, and the members of the EaP CSF Secretariat;
• Ask for consent before taking a picture or recording of another participant, regardless of the scope of the picture/ recording (i.e. social media) and be aware that some participants’ safety is at risk and may be compromised due to the negligent behaviour of other people;
Unacceptable behaviour during the event:
• Violence, threats of violence or violent language directed against a person or a group of persons;
• Personal insults of any kind - in relation to a person’s sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation;
• Sexist, homophobic, racist and any kind of discriminatory language considered offensive by another person;
• Acts of physical and verbal intimidation or harassment;
• Demeaning and derogatory language, speech or attitude exhibited in relation to another person or a group of persons;
• Exhibiting offensive language or behaviour, including but not limited to, using any sexually explicit language or materials;
• Exhibiting language, behaviour, or content that contains profanity, obscene gestures, or racial, religious, or ethnic slurs;
• Taking pictures or recording a person or a group of persons without their permission;
Consequences of unacceptable behaviour
We have zero tolerance for any form of unacceptable behaviour during the event, within the physical premises of the event or online.
Depending on the intention and gravity of the offensive behaviour/language, any participant that does not comply with the current Code of Conduct risks:
• Being expelled from the event without any per diem;
• Being requested to return the amount paid for the participant’s attendance in the event to the organisers (cost of flight ticket and accommodation);
• Being temporarily or permanently expelled from the EaP CSF (both individually and as an organisation);
The full observance of this Code of Conduct will be overseen by EaP CSF Co-Chairs, with the support of the EaP CSF Secretariat. If you are harassed or feel uncomfortable with the behaviour or speech of another participant, or if you notice that a fellow participant is experiencing a similar situation, please contact the EaP CSF Co-Chairs, and the members of the EaP CSF Secretariat. They will be able to assist in a swift and confidential manner.