Code of Conduct | Polyglot Conference Budapest

The Polyglot Conference is dedicated to providing a conference experience and a safe environment for all, free of harassment, judgment, and discrimination. We strive to create a space where individuals can express their love for languages and language learning, irrespective of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, skin color, age, religion (or lack thereof), or language, whether it be in person or online. Attendees of the Polyglot Conference come from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and traditions, united by their passion for languages. While we encourage active participation, friendship, and the sharing of knowledge, we expect all participants to adhere to the principles outlined in this Code of Conduct, treating each other with respect and fostering a safe, educational, and enjoyable environment for all.

Our Values

We value and highly appreciate each and every one of you who in the past have participated, or in the future will participate in the Polyglot Conference. One of the special things that we are most proud of is the fact that many people from many parts of the world, with different perspectives, backgrounds, professions, and languages spoken, and this diversity manifests itself in the various presentations of the Conference as well as its attendees.

Our Expectations

We expect all participants to contribute to our event, be it in person or online, in various positive ways, but not limited to:

Supporting fellow language enthusiasts in their language learning journeys. Recognize that each person’s language abilities and learning methods are unique.
Interacting respectfully and empathetically with others, both offline and online. Foster a friendly and polite atmosphere that promotes learning and enjoyment for all.
Expressing opinions with consideration and providing constructive criticism rather than resorting to negative feedback.
Engaging in meaningful discussions related to the Polyglot Conference, languages, and language learning in general. Encourage the promotion and appreciation of indigenous languages.
Respecting the following principles related to the Code of Conduct and disciplinary guidelines.

Violations of Code of Conduct and Discipline

We have a zero-tolerance policy towards violations of the Code of Conduct. Conference participants found to be in breach of these rules may face sanctions or expulsion from the conference without a refund, at the discretion of the conference organizers. Violations include, but are not limited to:

Verbal comments that reinforce social structures of domination related to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, religion, or language.
Sharing or displaying sexual images in public spaces.
Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following others.
Engaging in harassing photography or recording.
Disrupting talks or other events continuously.
Initiating inappropriate physical contact.
Exhibiting unwelcome sexual attention of any kind.
Engaging in spamming or sending unwelcome messages to other members for commercial purposes, seeking romantic relationships, or other unrelated intentions. Repeatedly sending unwanted messages is considered harassment.
Impersonating members online or creating false profiles to deceive or promote an organization.
Posting personal information of other members, such as telephone numbers, physical addresses, credit card information, etc., in the forum.
Using hate speech, offensive language, defamation, or making threats of violence towards other members or the Polyglot Conference.
Posting third-party content without appropriate permission.
Posting content that encourages self-harm.
Engaging in discussions regarding religion and politics that do not contribute to conversations about languages and instead serve to insult, belittle events or groups, and/or promote beliefs or ideologies. These topics should be approached with sensitivity, and if you don’t have anything constructive to say, it’s better to refrain from commenting.
Advocating for or encouraging any of the above behaviors.

Enforcement

Participants asked to stop engaging in improper behavior are expected to comply immediately. The Code of Conduct applies to exhibitors in the expo hall, sponsor or vendor booths, and similar activities. Specifically, exhibitors should not use sexualized images, activities, or other materials unrelated to the Polyglot Conference. Booth staff, including volunteers, should refrain from wearing sexualized clothing/uniforms/costumes or creating a sexualized environment. Event organizers retain the right to take any necessary actions to maintain a welcoming environment for all participants. This may include warning the offender or expulsion from the conference without a refund. Event organizers may also address any disruptive or hostile activities designed to hinder the event or create an unwelcoming environment. We expect participants to adhere to these rules at all event venues and event-related social activities. Furthermore, we encourage participants to continue following these rules even outside of official event activities.

Reporting

If someone makes you or anyone else feel unsafe or unwelcome, please report it as soon as possible to one of the Conference Organisers. Harassment and other violations of the code of conduct undermine the value of our event for everyone. We want all attendees to have a positive and enjoyable experience. Your presence enriches our event.

Personal Report

You can make a personal report by contacting any member of the Organising team.When filing a personal report, our staff will ensure your safety and privacy. They may involve other event staff to ensure proper management of your report. While recounting your experience can be upsetting, we will handle it with the utmost respect and sensitivity. You are welcome to bring someone for support, and we assure you that you won’t be required to confront anyone, nor will your identity be disclosed. Our team will gladly assist you in contacting hotel/venue security, local law enforcement, local support services, provide escorts, or take other measures to ensure your safety throughout the event. We value your participation.

Contacts

Email address for organisers

License and attribution

This policy is licensed under the Creative Commons Zero license. It is public domain, no credit and no open licencing of your version is required.

This anti-harassment policy is based on the example policy from the Geek Feminism wiki, created by the Ada Initiative and other volunteers.