Code of Conduct

Welcome to Intercultural Connections! We ask everyone to adhere to the following Code of Conduct to ensure a respectful, inclusive, and productive environment for all participants. By participating in one of our virtual meetings, you agree to the principles and guidelines outlined below. 

1. Respect and Inclusivity

• Treat all participants with respect, regardless of their background, beliefs, or opinions.

• Use inclusive language and be mindful of cultural differences.

• Refrain from making assumptions about others. Always ask for clarification when needed.

2. Communication and Engagement

• Expect to learn something new: approach each session with an open mind and a willingness to learn from others.

• Provide context to your statements: ensure your contributions are clear by providing necessary background information.

• Ask for clarification: if something is unclear, seek understanding by asking questions.

• Agree to disagree: respect differing viewpoints and understand that consensus is not always possible.

3. Behavior and Conduct

• No discrimination or harassment: racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination or harassment are strictly prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, offensive comments related to gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, disability, and physical appearance.

• Avoid generalisations: refrain from making broad statements about groups of people.

• Apologise and learn: if you accidentally say something hurtful, acknowledge it, apologize, and commit to learning from the experience.

4. Curiosity and Listening

• Be curious: approach conversations with a genuine interest in others' perspectives.

• Listen to learn: actively listen to understand different viewpoints.

• Listen to feel: show empathy and consider the emotions behind others' words.

• Listen to connect: use listening as a tool to build meaningful connections.

5. Participation and Contributions

• Active participation: engage actively in discussions, respecting the flow and structure of the meeting.

• Constructive feedback: provide feedback that is helpful and aimed at fostering understanding and growth.

• Respect speaking time: allow everyone the opportunity to speak and share their views.

6. Confidentiality

• Respect privacy: do not share personal information or stories from the meetings outside the group without explicit permission.

• Safe(r) space: help create and maintain a safe environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing.

• Respect confidentiality: do not take pictures or recordings of other participants without their consent. We usually take a group picture and share screenshots on our social media. Please let us know if you do not wish to be featured!

7. Technical Etiquette

• Mute when not speaking: to minimise background noise, keep your microphone muted unless you are speaking.

• Use video respectfully: if comfortable, keep your video on to foster a more personal connection. Ensure your background and surroundings are appropriate for the meeting.

• Promptness: join the meetings on time to respect everyone's schedule.

By following this Code of Conduct, we can create a supportive and enriching environment that fosters intercultural dialogue and understanding. Thank you for being part of Intercultural Connections and contributing to our mission of bridging distances for peace and sustainable development. 

NB: The team will exclude participants from meetings that spread hostility and do not follow this Code of Conduct.