Aim
The IAESTE Connect Region, and IAESTE in general, aims to foster an inclusive environment for all of its volunteers and interns. The purpose of this Code of Conduct is to strengthen participant confidence in other participants upholding our values during the annual Connect Conference.
Standard for behavior
Personal integrity
During an IAESTE conference, we are not only setting the reputation of our country in the eyes of other member countries, we are also expected to embody the values of our global network. Respect for others, as individuals and for their culture, is without a doubt a large part of what IAESTE stands for. Participants must therefore at all times respect the personal integrity of other participants and non-participants. Personal integrity is to be interpreted in a broad sense. It includes a person’s physical integrity (thereby prohibiting violence), personal safety (thereby prohibiting sexual harassment), dietary preferences (thereby prohibiting forced alcohol or other consumption), etc.
Workshops
Workshops are a valuable part of every IAESTE conference. Workshop leaders spend a significant amount of time preparing for them. Participants must respect their efforts and attend the workshops for which they have registered. They must partake in the activities provided by the workshop leader and not disturb the sessions. Participants must make sure they are physically capable of attending the workshops, even after a heavy night, and must fill in feedback forms after the workshop.
Accountability
It is important to recognize that one’s own state of inebriation (drunkenness) does not diminish one’s obligations in the context of this Code. This means that participants will always be held accountable for their actions, and must not allow themselves to reach a state of inebriation that inhibits clear thinking. Participants must take caution, especially but not exclusively during events like the International Evening, to stop their alcohol consumption in time so as not to dirty the location or other participants.
Material integrity
Aside from personal integrity, participants must also protect the integrity of the accommodation, activity and workshop venues during the conference. This means that they must make proper use of provided materials, and be gentle with furniture and equipment. Participants are personally liable for any damage. Any (accidental) damage must be promptly reported to the organizing team.
Trust Person
On this edition, a Trust Person will be appointed who can be contact by anyone who finds, or has found themselves in an unsafe, uncomfortable or unwanted situation. Others are encouraged to also contact the Trust Person in case they witness anyone in such a situation. The Trust Person will, first and foremost, keep your information confidential, and then take appropriate action in coordination with the CoRe Management Team and conference organizers. You will be consulted and your approval will be required in any decision, except when there is a legal obligation to act. The Trust Person can, if they deem it necessary, discuss appropriate actions with the CoRe Management Team and organizers. They will then also be bounded by confidentiality like the Trust Person. The Trust Person will in such an instance only share the relevant part of the information in his/her possession.
The Trust Person can be contacted via trust@iaeste.be. His/her phone number will also be added to the conference’s web page, for contact via phone or WhatsApp.
Sanctions
If the CoRe Management Team, the conference organizers or the appointed Trust Person become aware of any violation of this Code of Conduct by a participant, violaters can be sanctioned. Sanctions can include, but are not limited to, verbal warnings, prohibition to consume (further) alcohol, exclusion from one or more activities during the conference, exclusion from the rest of the conference altogether, and exclusion from future Connect conferences. The authority to impose sanctions lies with the three groups of aforementioned people. Violaters can be heard, but sanction decisions are binding.
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