Code of Conduct

Climate Engineering In Context 2021 (Virtual): Critical Global Discussions

Purpose

All attendees, speakers, organisers, journalists, and other participants are required to adhere to the code of conduct. The first and foremost function of the code of conduct is to outline unacceptable behaviour that will not be tolerated at CEC21. The second function of the code of conduct is to provide a guide on how to promote healthy debate in a respectful manner.

Please read over (1) unacceptable conduct and (2) expected behaviour. Prior to CEC21, all participants are expected to be familiar with this policy.

Unacceptable Conduct

Unacceptable behaviour includes,

  • Harassment and intimidation, including any verbal, written, or physical conduct designed to threaten, intimidate, or coerce other participants, conference organizers, or staff. Sexual language and imagery is strictly prohibited
  • Discrimination based on gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, national origin, or culture
  • Verbal abuse of any participant, speaker, volunteer, staff member or service provider
  • Disrespectful disruption of other participants.

Unacceptable behaviour includes, but is not limited to:

  • Using language and representations that are based on gender, race, geographic, religious or ethnic stereotypes (or any other category defined in background)
  • Making derogatory or demeaning comments
  • Name-calling or using slurs with connotations
  • Sexual comments, sexual behaviour, sharing sexual imagery and sexually suggestive communications.

Participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the conference, and appropriate legal action will be taken against violators where applicable.

Data Control in the Virtual Environment

Please note that downloading, taking screen shots, photography, video or audio recording of oral or poster presentations and slides is prohibited.

Chatham House Rules

Please note that Chatham House Rules apply to sessions at CEC21 (virtual). When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed.

The following actions regarding the dissemination of the information under Chatham House Rules would not be tolerated at CEC21 (virtual):

  • Nothing should be done to identify, either explicitly or implicitly, who said what. This includes dissemination of information after the event has passed
  • Journalists can visit all sessions and report on what has been said, but not by whom. Word-for-word citations can only be reported only after approval by the authors
  • Conference talks, presentations or other conference material that directly or indirectly identifies a speaker or another conference participant cannot be put on social media
  • The list of attendees should not be circulated beyond those participating in the meeting.

Other prohibitions under the regular Chatham House rules apply as per usual.

Failure to comply with the above standards will result in the participant being permanently removed from the conference.

Expected Behaviour

CEC21 will naturally spark debate, with the primary objective of the conference to encourage greater knowledge sharing and understanding. Whilst representing a variety of perspectives, participants should be able to engage in lively debates in an inclusive and tolerant atmosphere. The code of conduct acts as a guide to encourage constructive debate in a respectful manner. In enforcing the Code of Conduct, CEC21 aims to provide a friendly, safe and welcoming environment for all. Prior to a CEC21 (virtual), all participants are expected to be familiar with this policy.

The following behaviours are expected:

  • When registering for the conference platform SCOOCS, please enter your real name to ensure a meaningful exchange between all conference participants
  • Convenors, and other participants, are expected to speak to people’s professions/areas of expertise, regardless of their background
  • In relation to the above, avoid questions that heavily rely on someone’s background, such as, “what is your opinion…as a woman/person of colour/early-career researcher?”
  • Convenors should be prepared to actively take questions from a diverse range of people during interactive discussions and feedback/question rounds. It is expected that convenors diversify the participants selected to ask questions according to the definition of background
  • Convenors and participants are expected to listen actively, and not interrupt or talk over the top of others
  • Treat everyone with respect and consideration
  • Communicate openly and thoughtfully with others and be considerate of the multitude of views and opinions that are different than your own
  • Be respectful and mindful in your critique of ideas
  • Alert the CEC21 coordinator if you notice a situation in which someone appears to be in distress

Addressing Offensive Behaviour

A participant who feels that they have been virtually harassed or discriminated against from unacceptable behaviour at CEC21 should immediately notify the CEC21 coordinator. Complaints of harassment can also be submitted via email to info@ce-conferences.org.

Consequences of Unacceptable Behaviour

Unacceptable behaviour will not be tolerated. Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behaviour is expected to comply immediately.

If someone during CEC21 engages in unacceptable behaviour, the organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, up to and including a temporary ban or permanent expulsion from the conference without warning.

Definitions

For ease of reading, the following categories of diversity are herein referred to as a person’s background: gender, career stage, political perspective, geography, and sectoral (academia, policy, and/or civil society), in addition to: gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, physical ability, physical appearance, ethnicity, race, or religion.

Harassment is the act of regular and unwarranted actions of one individual or group on another individual or group. Discrimination is the treating a person or particular group of people differently, especially in a worse way from the way in which you treat other people, because of their background. Harassment and discrimination will not be tolerated at CEC21. 

Applicability

The code of conduct applies to all stages of the CEC conference, including pre-conference (including the registration periods), during the conference (in sessions, plenaries, and any of the virtual social activities), and post-conference (including conference outputs). Everyone engaging in CEC21 in any medium is expected to abide by the code of conduct.

Sources

This code of conduct was adapted from the following open resources: